Current News

VermontBiz ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is excited to announce the addition of a 30-foot sculpture of Champ, America’s lake monster. Blending art and science, ECHO's exhibit team worked with dinosaur casting experts, Research Casting International, over nine months to imagine what Champ looks like. The sculpture hangs above the mezzanine, giving visitors viewing opportunities throughout all levels of the museum.

“Lake Champlain is such an enormous resource for all of us in Vermont, and knowing that it is the only home for a healthy and happy Champ inspires us to care more about our incredible lake,” said Elliott Katz, ECHO’s Senior Exhibits Designer. “We are thrilled to see the new Champ sculpture at ECHO because seeing it in real life leads to even more questions and wonder about this incredible wild creature!”

Vermont Business Magazine Health Care report offers grim future without radical change; MVP to drop UVMHN Medicare Advantage plan; GMCB announces FY25 hospital budget decisions and enforcement of FY2023 budgets; Tax revenues up in August, but Rooms & Meals misses its target; Audit finds faults with state distribution of $50 million of COVID funds to businesses and nonprofits; Killington sale closes, Great Gulf becomes minority investor; Walmart to relocate Rutland store to former Diamond Run Mall; Vermont State Dental Society to bring dental school to Vermont; and more.

Vermont Business Magazine Lawson’s Finest Liquids is joining forces with Vermont-based, hand crafted ski maker J skis to produce Mogul Masher Pale Ale (5.5% ABV), an après-friendly pale ale, and colorful, limited-edition skis to match! J skis collaborates with artists and brands to create unique ski graphics that stand apart from other ski brands. Only 200 pairs of the custom “Masher” graphic skis will be available, starting mid-October at Lawson’s Finest’s destination brewery and taproom in Waitsfield, at the J skis Intergalactic Headquarters in Burlington and online at jskis.com. One hundred percent of Lawson’s Finest’s royalties from ski sales will be donated to The Afterglow Foundation, a Vermont nonprofit shining light on suicide awareness and prevention.  

VermontBiz In coordination with state and local partners, we will be permanently closing the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Waterbury at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

This center is currently open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays at:

• Waterbury Armory - 294 Armory Drive, Waterbury, VT 05676

As an alternative, Vermonters can visit two other DRCs currently open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays at:

• Lyndonville Public Safety Facility - 316 Main Street, Lyndon, VT 05851
• Hinesburg Town Hall - 10632 Route 116, Hinesburg, VT 05461

The closure of these temporary centers is coordinated with state and local partners generally based on the volume of visitors and needs of the community.

VermontBiz Entries are open for the 2025 Vermont Writers’ Prize, which is awarded each year in two categories: prose and poetry. This is the 35th year of the prize, which celebrates all things Vermont. The prize is open to Vermont residents and your poem, short story, essay, or play should explore Vermont – its people, places, values, or history. 

“Vermont is always changing, and it is so inspiring to read the entries and see how writers express the Vermont experience,” said Kristin Carlson, a GMP vice president who serves as a judge for this prize. “Vermont means so many things to different people – and we invite everyone to share their story or poem.”  

You can learn more details and submit your for the 2025 Vermont Writers’ Prize here. The deadline to enter is January 1, 2025.

VermontBiz Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable propane, renewable natural gas, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity and investor in low carbon fuel alternatives, today volunteered at Rutland Community Cupboard in Rutland, Vermont to unload, sort, and stock its shelves with pallets of food and pantry items, while also donating funds to purchase 2,778 fresh half gallons of milk for families in the local community.

by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Jonathan Cooper, community and economic development program manager at the Bennington County Regional Commission, said the new attention on the county is a surprising outcome of the pandemic. Bennington County is within easy reach of major metropolitan areas like Albany, Saratoga, and even New York City, making it a popular choice for commuters. The North and South Shire see a steady flow of traffic throughout the day, and towns like Manchester experience a significant population surge on holiday weekends, as visitors flock to enjoy its attractions. Tom Dee, CEO and president of Southwestern Vermont Health Center, acknowledged the economic challenges facing the county but emphasized that it has even more opportunities for growth and development. He sees various organizations and individuals actively working together on diverse projects, fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

VermontBiz Nonprofit leaders and development professionals looking to elevate their organization’s fundraising efforts are invited to apply for the 2025 Fundraising & Development Certificate Program. This comprehensive online training runs from February 13 to July 10, 2025, and provides an in-depth exploration of essential fundraising strategies and skills. 

The program is designed to demystify the complexities of fundraising, offering participants the tools and confidence needed to enhance their organization's development initiatives. Through a blend of interactive trainings, peer-learning sessions, and expert feedback, attendees will gain valuable insights and practical experience. 

VermontBiz Once again, Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) is partnering with the Mt Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) and our area towns to develop the list of Priority Projects for state and federal fund eligibility.

The Priority Project process is going on in each region in the state and the final product is provided to the Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD), who will share with other funders for consideration in making decisions on grant programs.

VermontBiz The Vermont Department of Labor has announced an increase to the State’s minimum wage. Beginning January 1, 2025, the State’s minimum wage will increase from $13.67 to $14.01 per hour - an increase of $0.34.  

This annual adjustment also impacts the minimum wage for tipped employees. The “Basic Tipped Wage Rate” for service, or “tipped employees,” equals 50% of the full minimum wage. On January 1, 2025, the tipped minimum wage will increase from $6.84 to $7.01 per hour.  

VermontBiz The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the launch of the Dairy Workforce Impact Fund, a new initiative designed to address critical workforce challenges in the region’s dairy industry. With $1.215 million in funding, the initiative aims to strengthen the workforce pipeline, improve career advancement opportunities, increase worker retention, and reduce barriers to participation in the dairy sector across 11 Northeast states. 

NE-DBIC will pilot the Fund for two years, beginning this fall.  Designed to spark, grow, share, and invest in workforce solutions, the Fund will provide grants and resources to support both farm and processing businesses across the Northeast. This initiative addresses critical challenges, including a shortage of entry-level workers and limited career pathways in the dairy sector. 

VermontBiz A new report from the non-profit Energy Action Network (EAN) provides the latest information on where Vermont stands on its climate and energy commitments. Included in the comprehensive report are up to date emissions and energy data for Vermont, along with in-depth analysis of the economics of different energy choices at both the household and statewide levels.