Current News

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles If you’re interested in renewing your license online, please take note of the following important information: Renewal vs. Replacement: If you’re only given the option to replace your credential during the online renewal process, you likely need an updated photo. Photo Update Requirement: Photos must be updated every nine years. If your photo hasn’t been updated within that timeframe, you must visit us to complete your renewal. Please call 1-888-970-0357 to schedule an appointment.

Vermont Business Magazine A group of undergraduate students and faculty from Vermont State University (VTSU) recently attended the American Geophysical Union (AGU) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Students absorbed information on a wide range of topics in sessions with roughly 25,000 scientists from over 100 countries and had an opportunity to present their research on a national scale. The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with approximately 130,000 members, including Earth, atmospheric, ocean, hydrologic, space, and planetary scientists and enthusiasts. AGU’s annual meeting is the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists, bringing together attendees to share research, foster connections, and advance understanding of our planet and environment.

Vermont Business Magazine VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Union Mutual Insurance Company as the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The award will be presented to Union Mutual at the opening session of the Vermont Economic Conference on January 28 at the UVM Dudley Davis Center. Founded in 1874, Union Mutual has been woven into the fabric of Vermont for more than a century and a half. Throughout its history, the company has combined strong financial performance with a deep sense of social responsibility, supporting a range of community initiatives across the region. In 2024 alone, Union Mutual employees collectively contributed over 230 volunteer hours to local organizations such as Special Olympics Vermont, Meals on Wheels, and the Vermont Foodbank. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority, or VEDA, has ended the first half of its fiscal year by providing $26.7 million to Vermont businesses. A total of 71 loans to businesses in 13 of Vermont’s 14 counties were closed July-December. VEDA also celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. As it follows the state government's calendar, January 1 of this year marks the midway point of fiscal year 2024/2025.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s public pensions have reached their highest funding ratios in nearly a decade, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced today at a press conference with union leaders, the Vermont Pension Investment Commission (VPIC), and members of the Legislature. Pieciak, who served on the Pension Task Force in 2021, credited the improved outlook to the 2022 reforms implemented under Act 114, robust FY24 investment returns, and tri-partisan Legislative support of the state’s retirement systems. A recent analysis by the Treasurer’s Office indicates the pension reforms and prefunding other post-employment benefits (OPEB) are projected to save taxpayers nearly $5.8 billion over time. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Edward Andersen, 49, of Essex Junction, Vermont, was arraigned yesterday on one felony count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, one felony count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and two felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The charges brought against Mr. Andersen are the result of a criminal investigation, including the execution of search warrants, conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), which included personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Burlington Police Department, South Burlington Police Department, Essex Police Department, and the Department of Children and Families. Based on the criminal investigation, Mr. Andersen was charged with the above listed offenses.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week (after a two-week gap for the holidays) that the number of COVID-19 cases rose to their highest level since early November, while hospitalizations subsided after a brief rise, but remained low. There was only 1 reported fatality over the last two weeks. Hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases were over 5 cases (low) statewide for the week. The number of reported COVID cases rose to 138 from 106. Cases had fallen in April and May and were as low as 31 at the beginning of May 2024, before rising at the end of summer through the early part of the fall. However, wastewater monitoring still shows a relatively low level of virus, except for a spike in the Montpelier report to its highest level in a full year. There was a smaller increase in Burlington. The pandemic death total stands at 1,235 as of December 24, 2024

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of Republican Zachary Harvey, of Castleton, to fill the vacant Rutland-3 seat in the Vermont House of Representatives. Harvey replaces Chris Brown, who resigned last month citing his wife's cancer diagnosis. Harvey’s appointment is effective Wednesday, January 8, 2025. He was selected from a list of candidates forwarded by the Castleton Republican party. As is typical, the governor appoints someone from the same party. Harvey has over a decade-long career in financial services, he held various roles at the New York Stock Exchange and its parent, Intercontinental Exchange, a Fortune 500 technology and data services company. He began his career at Nasdaq, a global technology and exchange operator.

Vermont Business Magazine Windham & Windsor Housing Trust’s highly anticipated Central & Main housing development in Windsor has reached a significant milestone in its construction -- the building is now “dried in.” With the completion of exterior walls, windows and roofing, the structure is weather-tight, allowing crews to focus on insulation and interior finishes during the winter months. The building remains on schedule, with a late spring/early summer opening anticipated. Located at 133 Main Street, the Central & Main development transforms a vacant downtown lot into vibrant, efficient, mixed income housing, featuring 25 residential apartments affordable to a range of moderate and low Windsor incomes.

Vermont Business Magazine The City of Rutland Board of Aldermen has approved the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Plan and its submission to the Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC). This action comes after the October 21, 2024 approval of the TIF District Letter of Intent. With both the TIF District Plan and the Letter of Intent approved, the City is now positioned to submit its application to VEPC. If approved, the TIF District will produce the incremental revenue needed to pay for critical public infrastructure improvements, including transportation, water, wastewater, stormwater, brownfields remediation, and streetscape upgrades. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas announced the upcoming release of Vermont’s first ever Civic Health Index, a report measuring how civically engaged Vermonters are across the state and in relation to the rest of the country. The report is due to be published on January 15. The report was created in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), UVM’s Center for Rural Studies, SerVermont, Up For Learning, and Vermont Humanities. The NCoC defines civic health as “the way that communities are organized to define and address public problems,” and the report breaks this concept into six domains: Volunteerism and Donating, Political Engagement, Community and Social Context, Cultural Access and Engagement, Media Trust and Access, and Government Trust and Access.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has hired Dr. Kellie Campbell as Chief Information Officer. A broadly experienced academic IT professional, creative problem-solver and engaged listener, Campbell will assume leadership of the university’s Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) division beginning February 6. Campbell comes to UVM from the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS), for which she served as Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Information Technology. Reporting to the Chancellor and working in close partnership with the VSCS Council of Presidents, Campbell provided leadership, management, and strategy for the Information Technology (IT) shared services division.