Current News

Vermont Business Magazine After years of dreaming, planning, designing, and fundraising, the Alburgh Family Clubhouse (AFC) has officially broken ground on construction of a brand new, state-of-the-art child care and early learning center on Missile Base Road in Alburgh. The Clubhouse is on track to open in Fall 2025. The Clubhouse will address an urgent need for expanded child care and early learning opportunities for young children and their families in the small rural communities of Grand Isle and Franklin Counties. AFC will offer full-day, full-year infant, toddler, preschool, and afterschool programs.  

Vermont Business Magazine While the Vermont index fell to 48.0 in the final quarter of 2024, the national index rose to 51.0. The national results were bolstered by solid corporate revenue trends and sustained strength in the service sector, which more than offset idiosyncratic headwinds from labor strikes and weather effects in certain geographies. The national reading above 50 indicates that business conditions improved modestly during the period and that the U.S. economy is entering 2025 with momentum. The national Citizens Business Conditions Index (CBCI) rose to 51.0 in the final quarter of 2024, bolstered by solid corporate revenue trends and sustained strength in the service sector. The reading indicates that business conditions improved modestly in the fourth quarter, as the Federal Reserve continued to lower interest rates and election-related uncertainty abated.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) recently joined Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to introduce the Making Agricultural Products Locally Essential (MAPLE) Act and the Supporting All Producers (SAP) Act, two bipartisan, bicameral bills to support Vermont’s maple industry. The MAPLE Act would provide a new market for maple syrup producers while increasing seniors’ access to nutritious, locally sourced maple syrup products by adding maple syrup to the eligible products under the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). SFMNP gives low-income seniors access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and led in the House by Reps. Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23) and Joe Courtney (D-CT-02).  

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak on Tuesday was joined by Department Heads and City staff to outline the final bond requests going on the Town Meeting Day ballot following unanimous approval by the City Council at their January 27 meeting. If approved by voters, these bonds will support needed investments in critical City infrastructure. The Mayor also highlighted key information about how and where to vote on – or before - Town Meeting Day, March 4. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Kathryn Flynn, 71, of Essex, Vermont, and Yoanna Vaughan, 37, of Colchester, Vermont, have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from their mistreatment of a vulnerable adult. Ms. Vaughn pled guilty before Judge Michael Harris and was sentenced on July 30, 2024, and Ms. Flynn pled guilty and was sentenced yesterday before Judge John L. Pacht.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office in Burlington stated Tuesday that Saul Mazariegos-Estrada, 29, of El Tejar, Guatemala, has been charged by criminal complaint with the illegal transportation of aliens, and that Byron Sicajau Socoy, 40, of El Tejar, Guatemala, and Christian Rafael Hernandez Villa, 34, of Jalisco, Mexico, have been charged by criminal complaint with being aliens who eluded examination or inspection by immigration officers. The term “alien” is defined by statute to mean a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States. 

The J.Warren & Lois McClure Foundation Earlier this week (Sunday, January 26, 2025), Vermont said goodbye to philanthropist Lois McClure, who in her long life always believed people should have the opportunity to pursue their goals. With her late husband, she translated that belief into action through the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation at the Vermont Community Foundation, helping thousands of Vermonters better understand the career pathways that fit their life goals and earn college and career credentials that unlock those pathways. “Lois McClure leaves us with full hearts this week. For more than half a century, she gave her fellow Vermonters a profound example: leading with a deep commitment to improving the lives of those furthest from opportunity,” said Carolyn Weir, executive director of the McClure Foundation. “Lois often recalled that philanthropy in its many forms was a family tradition. Just as community service was modeled by her Grandma Howe, Lois nurtured both an ethos and practice of generosity among her loved ones. Her love for Vermont lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—and through all the projects and programs she supported.”  

Vermont Business Magazine A new report from the American Lung Association urges Vermont lawmakers to focus on ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes to reduce the overwhelming human and financial burden of tobacco use. The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives. The “State of Tobacco Control” report grades states and the District of Columbia in five areas that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. Vermont got two "A" scores, a "B" and two "F" scores.

Vermont Business Magazine Encore Renewable Energy, a leading renewable energy developer and operator backed by SUSI Partners, announced the closing of a $389 million financing solution from Brookfield, through its infrastructure debt platform. This transaction will accelerate Encore’s growth as an independent power producer (“IPP”) by financing the construction of a portfolio of community-scale solar and battery energy storage projects while supporting the further expansion and advancement of the company’s development pipeline. This deal employs a pioneering approach that meets the complete capital requirements for constructing and expanding a distributed generation portfolio through combined non-dilutive debt and tax equity facilities. The financing structure integrates construction-to-term debt and a tax equity bridge within a single debt facility, complemented by a preferred equity facility dedicated to tax equity financing.

by Kelly Devine Sunday may end up being the best day downtown in 2025. Thank you to everyone who made the parade celebrating the University of Vermont (UVM) Soccer Team's 2024 Division 1 championship such an unforgettable event. Here’s to hoping 2025 brings many more days like this one. First and foremost, a big shout out to the UVM Soccer Team, whose hard work and talent led to their win in overtime and this historic achievement. Thanks also go to Coach Rob Dow for leading the effort. Your perseverance and passion have brought immense pride to our community, and we are thrilled to celebrate your success. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the University of Vermont Athletic Department, the City of Burlington, and EastRise Credit Union for helping to create such a fantastic celebration. The coordination and effort that went into organizing the parade did not go unnoticed, and it truly made for a memorable day.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 bird flu, in a non-commercial backyard (non-poultry) flock in Windsor County last week. Samples taken by VAAFM and USDA officials Tuesday, January 21st were tested and confirmed for HPAI by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. This is the fifth instance of HPAI impacting a domestic flock in Vermont since spring of 2022 and emphasizes the ongoing need for vigilance as the disease continues to be an ongoing risk to domestic birds. This case comes on the heels of another HPAI confirmation in a flock of backyard birds in Franklin County this past December.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today delivered his ninth budget address to the General Assembly, presenting a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026, which does not raise taxes or fees while making strategic investments to make Vermont more affordable, improve our demographics and grow our workforce. By focusing on fixing broken systems and investing to increase housing stock, transform our education system to improve outcomes for our kids, and address continued public safety concerns, the Governor’s recommended budget meets the challenges facing Vermonters with real policy solutions that taxpayers can afford. “With this budget and commonsense reforms, we can help more folks – from all income levels – put and keep a permanent roof over their head. We can address climate change without punishing people. We can help families feel safe in their neighborhoods once again. We can let them keep more of what they earn. We can restore left-behind communities, giving them back the pride and opportunity they once felt. And we can keep and attract the workforce and families we desperately need.”