Current News

VermontBiz Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and one governor in suing President Trump, challenging his unlawful Executive Order that attempts to interfere with states’ constitutional authority to administer elections by restricting voter eligibility and mail voting to lists of voters pre-authorized by the federal government. 

The Executive Order, signed on Tuesday, attempts to establish a national list of eligible voters and directs the U.S. Postal Service to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. In the Order, the President threatens states and elections officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they do not comply with his demands. The coalition argues in their lawsuit that the Order would require states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, vote-by-mail systems, and voter registration laws. 

VermontBiz Today, Speaker Jill Krowinski made the following statement on Act 181 and pending legislation in the House:

“In 2024, we passed Act 181 which seeks to reform our decades old Act 250 land use policy and make it easier to develop housing while also making our communities more resilient in the face of rising climate disasters. Vermont’s housing crisis and the devastating flooding that impacted communities reinforced the need to reimagine how development happens in Vermont - the costs,  the time it takes to go through the development process, and where development is happening. 

VermontBiz Union Mutual announced today that it has again been named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Vermont, marking the Company’s 13th consecutive year receiving this distinguished honor. The award is based in part on anonymous employee surveys that evaluate workplace culture, engagement, and overall employee experience.

“Our continued recognition over the past 13 years underscores the commitment, passion, and excellence of our entire team,” said Union Mutual President & CEO Lisa Keysar. “We are deeply honored to receive this award once again. Our employees are the heart of Union Mutual, and we remain dedicated to fostering an engaging, supportive, and inclusive workplace where every employee can thrive.”

VermontBiz Cigna Healthcare® has selected Heritage Family Credit Union as a recipient of their gold level Healthy Workforce Designation for demonstrating a strong commitment to improving employee health and vitality through its workplace well-being program.

“Employers that prioritize workforce vitality — by addressing workplace stress, promoting healthy behaviors, and fostering a sense of competence, autonomy, and connection — are supporting employee well-being and driving organizational success,” said Bryan Holgerson, president of Cigna Healthcare U.S. “As a company committed to creating better health care experiences and outcomes, we’re proud to recognize and celebrate employers who are building cultures of well-being across all dimensions of vitality.”

VermontBiz On Thursday, April 2, industry leaders from Vermont’s manufacturing sector, gathered at the State House to connect with legislators and political leaders to highlight the industry’s significant contributions to Vermont's economy, and to present the challenges and opportunities facing Vermont's manufacturers. With over 50 manufacturers from across Vermont in attendance, the day reflected broad, statewide engagement, several offering insightful testimony in legislative hearings with House and Senate committees. The testimony given included representatives and business owners from Nolato, Built By Newport, Vermont Frames, Chroma Technologies, and Vermont GaN Tech Hub. The day was also highlighted by an open forum and Q&A with Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers, a press conference, and the reading of a resolution on the House Floor declaring April 2, 2026 ‘Vermont Manufacturing Day.’ 

VermontBiz The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Beacon Bank, is proud to announce the 2026 Women In Leadership Luncheon, returning to Hildene’s Lincoln Hall in Manchester, Vermont. Now in its fifth year, the event has grown into one of the region’s signature celebrations of leadership, inspiration, and community, with organizers anticipating more than 200 attendees this spring. The Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, May 13 from 12pm to 2pm.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Hildene, this year’s luncheon will feature a prepared spring lunch by Pangaea, two keynote speakers, and the presentation of three distinguished awards: the Young Woman in Leadership Award, Woman of the Year Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominations for all three awards are now open at https://www.swvtchamber.com/womenluncheon 

VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce revealed the ranking of the top 65 Best Places to Work in Vermont 2026 at a ceremony on April 2nd at the Doubletree Hotel in So Burlington, VT. There were over 400 people in attendance.  “With Vermont’s tight labor market, businesses are finding it difficult to fill open positions. These businesses can say to perspective employees that their company has been chosen as a best place to work in Vermont. This will give them a leg up on recruitment,” said Katie Kittell, publisher, Vermontbiz.

Vermont Business Magazine After more than two years of stiff competition and fast-rising prices, the U.S. residential housing market experienced a rapid cooldown throughout the latter half of 2022 and the early months of 2023. Subsequently, after a turbulent few years of price surges, rapid cooldowns, and fluctuating mortgage rates, the U.S. housing market is entering 2026 with a new set of dynamics. Vermont ranks 22nd in the nation with a composite score of 54.7, signaling moderate demand despite a cooling national housing market. The median home price in Vermont is $395,900, with prices changing +4.2% year over year—above the national increase of 1.6%.

Vermont Business Magazine HomeShare Vermont has launched its 2026 Experience Vermont Raffle, featuring Vermont inn stays — 12 in total — plus dining, entertainment and local experiences. Proceeds from the raffle support the nonprofit’s work to expand access to homesharing and support housing stability across Vermont. For more than 40 years, HomeShare Vermont has helped individuals stay in their homes and find affordable housing through shared living arrangements. In exchange for lower (or sometimes no) rent costs, guests may also provide support, including companionship, meal preparation or help getting to and from appointments.

Vermont Business Magazine With improvements in technology and shifts by insurers to more web and application-based services, consumers today often have opportunities to file and complete claims electronically. Your insurer may offer to assess your claim virtually, often allowing for faster settlement and payment and avoiding the inconvenience of scheduling in-person inspections. Understanding these processes and your rights are important factors in deciding whether you would like to take advantage of these options.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the House Committee on Education passed H.955, legislation addressing next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system. Speaker Jill Krowinski made the following statement after the vote: “H.955 is the critical next step in our work to address challenges facing our public education system. It builds for a more stable future by moving us toward scale, creating statewide cohesion and support for our system, and providing resources to help communities navigate making local decisions for the future of their schools. This legislation addresses cost drivers impacting the education system, ensures local voices are heard in the decision-making process, and puts us on a path to create greater educational opportunities for every student, at a cost Vermonters can afford.

Vermont Business Magazine One year after President Trump announced sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs, Treasurer Pieciak and State Fiscal Officers issued a report finding the costs of higher import taxes fell overwhelmingly on American businesses, workers, and families—not foreign competitors. National economic data shows over 90% of President Trump’s tariffs have been paid for by U.S. businesses and consumers, costing the average American household more than $1,700 from February 2025 to January 2026. For Vermont’s 279,612 households, that amounts to nearly half a billion dollars in additional costs. For comparison, Vermont’s property taxes increased by about $200 million in FY24.