Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is inviting people to join them on one of their annual Waterway Work Trips this upcoming stewardship season. During the work trips, volunteers join one of Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s stewardship crews for a weekend camping trip. Trips begin Friday evening - except those in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway - and wrap up after lunch on Sunday. There are 10 projects spanning from Forked Lake in the Adirondacks to Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. Projects focus on campsite, portages, privies, access points, and other infrastructure used by paddlers.

Vermont Business Magazine Every year, the global hygiene industry uses more than three million metric tons of superabsorbent polymers (SAP), the tiny granules that lock moisture away inside diapers, period pads, and incontinence products. Nearly all of it is made from petroleum, and once used, it persists in landfills for centuries. ZymoChem, a specialty chemicals company developing sustainable chemicals from renewable feedstocks, has released a research paper demonstrating that its bio-based and biodegradable SAP, branded BAYSE™, is the first of its kind to fully match, and in key ways surpass, the absorption performance of conventional petroleum-based materials.

Northeastern Vermont Development Association How to build an efficient, healthy, low-carbon home is well understood — yet unfortunately still far from mainstream. But what about the majority of us who will never purchase a new home? In this seminar, Brian Just shares practical, budget-friendly steps his household has taken over the course of more than a decade to improve an existing home. From swapping lightbulbs to full electrification, each change reflects a commitment to health, comfort, local materials, and environmental impact. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for making meaningful improvements to their own homes—no matter the starting point. This online presentation, hosted by the Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN), will conclude with a Q+A.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Adam Barrup, 39, of Derby Line, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count of luring a child and seven felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials. The charges brought against Barrup 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.

Vermont Business Magazine The Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (Leahy BTV) marked a major milestone with the official opening of Project NexT, as the airport’s newly expanded terminal space became accessible to screened passengers for the first time. The opening follows a successful Community Open House on March 28th, where community members were invited to explore the new terminal ahead of its debut. Attendees experienced a behind-the-scenes look at new gates, jet bridges, and expanded passenger areas—offering an early glimpse into the future of travel in the region.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Economic Development Authority announced today $13,883,650 of investments in 32 projects in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor Counties during the Third Quarter (January 1 through March 31) of the fiscal year. “We are so pleased these loans will be used to invest in downtowns, help businesses and farms grow, and aid in disaster recovery,” says VEDA CEO Joan Goldstein. “It is our mission to support Vermont’s economy so we strongly encourage businesses large and small to reach out to us so we can also help them achieve their goals.”

Vermont Business Magazine At its March 26, 2026, meeting, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) committed $4,544,575 in state, federal, and philanthropic funding to strengthen both — approving investments to conserve 2,420 acres of Vermont's most ecologically significant lands and support 27 new affordable homes across the state. These investments address Vermont’s most urgent needs: expanding affordable homeownership in high-demand areas, innovative financing strategies to preserve housing for extremely low-income households in the face of federal rental assistance reductions, protecting critical wetland systems and water quality corridors linked to Lake Champlain, expanding town forest holdings, and conserving high-priority interior forest blocks connecting major conservation areas across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community College of Vermont (CCV) was selected as a 2025 Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope (PATH) Scholarship recipient through the Ellucian Foundation. The PATH Scholarship program provides grants to higher education institutions worldwide to directly benefit students facing economic hardships and subsequent educational disruptions. CCV’s $10,000 scholarship supported urgent student needs through CCV’s Life Gap Grant program. Life Gap Grants are small, just-in-time scholarships that help students get through unexpected and challenging situations and stay in school.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott’s office today announced a range of appointments made in the first quarter of 2026. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website to apply.

Vermont Business Magazine In recognition of Financial Literacy Month kicking off April 1, Treasurer Mike Pieciak is reminding eligible Vermont employers to enroll in Vermont Saves, the State’s auto-IRA program. Pieciak highlighted that the program is critical to strengthening Vermonters’ financial security and helping them start saving for retirement as soon as possible. Vermont Saves is an affordable retirement program for employers to offer their employees. The program was created to expand retirement access to the tens of thousands of private‑sector workers who are not offered a plan through their employer and are less likely to be saving for their future. 

Vermont Business Magazine Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), southeastern Vermont’s non-profit community mental health agency, officially welcomes Anne Bilodeau to her new role as Chief Executive Officer today, April 1. A familiar leader within the organization, Bilodeau steps into the role following years of hands-on leadership across HCRS’ operations, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer. Her first day as CEO marks both a continuation of the organization’s strong foundation and a forward-looking moment for its future.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University is pleased to announce that its nursing programs have achieved significant accreditation milestones. The National League of Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) accredits VTSU’s nursing programs in the ‘laddered’ stackable credential model. These certificates and degrees enable students to progress seamlessly in their education or, alternatively, enter the workforce, certification in hand, at any milestone in the program. The rigorous accreditation process consists of self-study, on-site evaluations by academic and clinical experts, and evaluation by the NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners.