Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.11 per gallon, unchanged from last week, up 1 cent/g from last month and down 23 cents/g from last year. The lowest price in the state this was $2.69/g while the highest was $3.35/g, a difference of 66.0 cents per gallon. The lowest prices in the state continue to be in Bennington ($2.99) and Windham ($2.98) counties, with prices rising as you go north, according to AAA. Essex County has the highest average at $3.34/g. The national average price of gasoline has risen 2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.04/g today.

Vermont Business Magazine KeyBank announces the list of charitable sponsorships and KeyBank Foundation grants made in 2024 to numerous nonprofit organizations in Vermont.  The gifts and grants focus support to address homelessness, food insecurity, financial literacy, preventative healthcare and more. KeyBank Foundation grants total $275,000 in commitments and are part of the bank’s philanthropic and strategic investments targeted toward education, workforce development, and safe, vital neighborhoods. An additional $34,000 in charitable donations were made to local nonprofit partners in alignment with the bank’s community support efforts. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Northern Forest Center, the nonprofit organization redeveloping the historic building at 560 Railroad Street, is just $143,000 away from raising the $5.9 million needed to transform the building into a cornerstone of the St. Johnsbury community. The project will create nine much-needed apartments for middle-income workers and two revitalized commercial spaces, including a storefront for a new business, Three Rivers Bikes and Boards and an artist-in-residence studio for Catamount Arts. The project takes an innovative approach to addressing the pressing need for quality housing for workers and families in the region. 

by Vermont Natural Resources Council Executive Director Lauren Hierl As 2024 draws to a close, I resolve to start the new year with both optimism and determination to protect the things we care about. At the heart of Vermont's identity lies our shared connection to the natural world. We love the beauty and bounty of our state. We also know that a healthy environment is essential to a healthy economy. Our state relies on its brand of a clean and protected environment to attract residents, visitors, and businesses. But I am wary of a false choice: that we must choose between an affordable Vermont and a clean and healthy Vermont. Protecting our environment and health saves our state money and helps our local economies by protecting Vermont’s greatest assets - our clean air, water, land, and vibrant communities. 

by James Rea, UVM The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships at the University of Vermont has announced nearly $2.4M in grants to fuel partnerships between UVM and organizations throughout Vermont with the goal of addressing pressing challenges in our state. More than 20 UVM research programs will participate in these projects, which will influence the work of over 40 public, private, and nonprofit organizations in Vermont. The initial activities of the funded projects will span the state, taking place in communities in the Hero Islands, the Northeast Kingdom, Brattleboro, the White River Valley, and many points in between. 

Vermont Business Magazine As McDonald’s and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) celebrate the 50th anniversary of the nonprofit and their enduring partnership, New England McDonald’s Owner Operators are excited to announce their customers have helped raise $1.26M for the organization year-to-date by rounding up their purchases at restaurants across the region, with $144,200 of that coming directly from Vermont restaurants. Here in Vermont, the funds are used to provide a supportive home away from home for families while their children are receiving life-saving medical treatment at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital. The money raised this year equates to 1,442 nights free of charge, saving families over $350,000 in travel expenses, meals and accommodations. 

Vermont Business Magazine Students at UVM’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) will soon benefit from a new scholarship program established by GlobalFoundries (GF). As part of GF’s ongoing commitment to developing workforce talent in semiconductor design and manufacturing in the region, the GlobalFoundries Scholarship will support students enrolled in undergraduate degree programs in physics, or electrical, mechanical, biomedical, or environmental engineering. In the program’s initial year, GF will support three undergraduate students with scholarships of $10,000 each, and the scholarships are combined with a paid summer internship opportunity at GF. The scholarship will support up to six new and returning scholars in successive years. The program is designed to incentivize students to join the semiconductor industry.

Vermont Business Magazine MENTOR Vermont announced today the recipients of the 2024-2025 Vermont Mentoring Grants, the only mentoring-specific funding available to youth mentoring programs throughout the state. This year, MENTOR Vermont awarded 20 grants, totaling $620,000, which will support more than 1,750 youth in communities across Vermont. MENTOR Vermont recognizes that young people are natural dreamers, but not all youth are given the same access and opportunities to achieve those dreams. A caring and committed mentor can help a young person ignite their curiosities, solidify their passions, and leverage their talents.

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael’s College’s new financial aid initiative fortifies the Colchester-based college’s mission of making its deeply engaging, student-centered education more affordable. The “St. Mike’s Community Commitment” simplifies the financial aid process, making a Saint Michael’s education more accessible to students from every socioeconomic background. Families will also more easily be able to estimate the financial aspects of attendance. The St. Mike’s Community Commitment aligns with our institution’s mission and the Edmundite value of access to education, which has been a priority since our founding,” said Saint Michael’s College President Richard Plumb, Ph.D. “This initiative enables talented students from all backgrounds to obtain a first-rate education. By reducing ambiguity around the cost of attendance for their families, we are empowering more students to set ambitious goals.”  

The Manchester Business Association is excited to announce the inaugural “Deck the Halls” Holiday Decorating Contest, inviting both locals and visitors to experience the magic of the winter holiday season throughout the area. From December 16 to January 1, 20 plus participating businesses will be beautifully adorned with holiday-themed decorations, including twinkling lights, wreaths, festive trees, snowflakes, and other seasonal cheer that capture the spirit of the season.

Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark on Tuesday released Vermont’s revenue results for November 2024. The Transportation Fund and Education Fund exceeded their respective monthly consensus cash flow target, as adopted by the Emergency Board at its July 2024 meeting, while the General Fund narrowly missed its target. The Meals & Rooms tax was off again, while the usually reliable personal income tax fell short of its target. The State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $223.7 million, exceeding the $221.9 million monthly consensus target by $1.8 million, or 0.8%.

VermontBiz Magazine In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on legalized sports betting, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) called out online sports gambling companies FanDuel and DraftKings for exploiting the addictive nature of gambling and undermining antitrust law. The hearing comes after Senator Welch and Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) wrote a bipartisan letter to Jonathan Kanter, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust at the Department of Justice, and Lina Khan, Chair of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), raising concerns about FanDuel and DraftKings’ conduct. The lawmakers urged the Justice Department and the FTC to ensure competition is protected.