Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) New England Office recently awarded two 2024 Regional Wastewater Treatment Awards to one Vermont wastewater facility and one individual to recognize them for their commitment to improving water quality. For the past 40 years, the EPA Regional Wastewater Awards Program EPA Regional Wastewater Awards Program has recognized personnel in the wastewater field who have provided invaluable public service managing and operating wastewater treatment facilities throughout New England. 

Vermont Business Magazine Treasurer Mike Pieciak’s Task Force on the Federal Transition, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) will host a webinar for Vermont employers to discuss their rights, obligations, and prudent steps they can take to prepare for a worksite visit from Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). The discussion will feature leading Vermont and national immigration experts. The webinar will take place Thursday, February 6 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM. The program will feature one hour of moderated discussion, followed by 30 minutes of Q&A. Attendees can RSVP here. 

Vermont Business Magazine Seventh Generation, a leader in plant-based household cleaning products, today announced it has named Kathleen O’Brien to serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). O’Brien’s leadership will usher in the next phase of the company’s journey, focusing on accelerating growth, advancing innovation, and championing its mission to create a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable future for the next seven generations. This is O’Brien’s return to Seventh Generation where she previously served as Vice President of Sales. Within that role, she was responsible for driving revenue growth across product lines for the business and developed a deep understanding of the brand’s approach to business with sustainability at its core. 

Vermont Business Magazine The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has released the nationwide performance results from the 2024 assessments in reading and mathematics. While Vermont students performed similarly to the national average in reading, the 2024 results reinforce a decades long pattern of declining performance. Relative to pre-pandemic (2019) and post-pandemic (2022) performance, 2024 Vermont reading scores were significantly lower in Grade 4 and Grade 8.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Wednesday raised concerns about the character and fitness of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), to lead HHS’ ten public health service agencies and three human services agencies. Senator Welch also expressed concern about the lack of concrete plans by the Trump Administration and Mr. Kennedy to lower health care costs for Vermont families. 

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont Dam Safety Program has been working with the US Army Corps of Engineers, New England Division (USACE NAE), on plans for the Waterbury Dam Spillway Project. This major project aims to improve the operability of the existing flood gates and repair degraded concrete at the dam. The goal is to rehabilitate the spillway and restore full flood protection functionality to the dam. To date, the project team has completed preliminary engineering analyses and assessment. The plan is to begin engineering design in spring 2025 through spring 2027 and construction is presently slated to commence in 2027.

Vermont Business Magazine Three parcels at important locations in the Barton and Clyde River Watersheds are now permanently protected for fish habitat, flood resilience and public access thanks to a collaboration between the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Memphremagog Watershed Association. In East Charlson, the half-acre Whitcomb-Bedell parcel protects the confluence of Churchill Brook and the Clyde River.  Owned for more than 100 years by the Whitcomb-Bedell family, the parcel adds to the department’s Clyde River Streambank Management Area and provides public access to Churchill Brook and opportunities to fish for the wild brook trout that call the waterway home.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on January 28, 2025, Andrew Chaves, 25, of Washington, DC, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a term of two years’ imprisonment to be followed by a one-year term of supervised release. Chaves previously pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. According to court records, Chaves stole two federal government vehicles from November 2023 to January 2024. He took one vehicle from a U.S. Forest Service facility in Manchester, Vermont and another from a U.S. Army facility in Lodi, New Jersey. Chaves drove both vehicles through multiple states, including Vermont, while making unauthorized purchases on credit cards he had stolen.

Vermont Business Magazine Leading organizations across Quebec and the Northeastern states of the United States have joined forces to address trade challenges and strengthen resilience. Recognizing the semiconductor industry as a cornerstone of national security and economic sovereignty, this unprecedented collaboration aims to ensure that North America remains resilient, competitive, and autonomous in this critical sector. The coalition includes: The University of Vermont and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Construction Company has signed an agreement of cooperation announcing its commitment to become the first Vermont builder to join a worker-driven program monitoring and enforcing labor and housing standards. The commitment will bring the Building Dignity and Respect Program to Vermont’s fast-growing construction industry and provide much-needed protections to a sector lacking in regulation.

Vermont Business Magazine Several organizations weighed in on Governor Phil Scott's Budget Address on Tuesday.

Vermont Business Magazine Riko's Pizza, a highly differentiated pizza franchise concept, announced today the grand opening of its newest location on in Burlington, Vermont. This new restaurant is the Company's first in Vermont, eighth franchised location, and 12th overall, with other locations in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. Famous for its super-thin crust tavern-style pies, local neighborhood atmosphere, and extensive selection of craft drinks, Riko's newest location is situated right in downtown Burlington at 83 Church Street, within walking distance to Lake Champlain and the University of Vermont.