Current News

by Kate Kampner, Community News Service S.219, a bill that would kickstart the design of an energy coaching program, passed on the Senate floor on March 19. Spearheaded by the Vermont Public Service Department, the program would give energy navigator services to Vermont residents. Energy navigators are trained professionals or volunteers who inform residents how to make their homes more energy efficient, such as with weatherization projects or installing heat pumps. Under the bill, they would also inform clients about rebates and incentives. Sen. Ruth Hardy, D-Addison, who sponsored the bill, said there are already existing programs across the state, but they have varying methods, successes, accessibility and ways to receive funding.

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), in partnership with the Vermont Small Business Law Center, will host two upcoming educational workshops designed to help small business owners understand legal issues that commonly arise in day-to-day operations.  The virtual sessions will take place on Thursday, April 23 and Thursday, May 14 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. They are open to entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Vermont and the region. These two workshops will provide practical education to help businesses understand common legal considerations, reduce risk, and explore options when challenges arise.

Vermont Business Magazine A new report from the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) finds that Vermont produces substantial quantities of wool each year, yet much of it remains underused due to limited processing capacity and barriers to market access. The report, Vermont Wool Production: Challenges and Pathways Forward, is based on a statewide survey and interviews with farmers and processors that reveal both the potential and persistent bottlenecks within the sector. The study finds that Vermont produces meaningful quantities of wool each year, yet a significant portion remains unused or undervalued. Limited processing capacity, high costs, and barriers to market access continue to make it difficult for farmers to turn raw wool into viable products.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and The Shires Young Professionals are celebrating another highly successful St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl after the 5th annual downtown event generated strong traffic, increased sales, and visible energy for participating Bennington businesses. The 2026 crawl, hosted and organized by the Shires Young Professionals, featured six downtown stops — Kelli’s Tavern, Madison Brewing Company, Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza, 421 Craft Bar & Kitchen, Union South Pub & Provisions, and Pearls at the Garage — and invited residents and visitors alike to spend the day moving through Bennington’s hospitality district in a festive, highly social, and locally focused experience.

by Roxy Vanderhoff, Community News Service Under a new bill, Vermont school boards would give votes to those who know the schools the best. The experts in question? Teenagers. Students and representatives alike took to the statehouse Jan. 30 to discuss H.640, a bill created by high schoolers to have student representation on school boards. The bill was first envisioned at last summer’s Global Issues & Youth Action Institute, part of the long-running Governor’s Institutes of Vermont program.

Vermont Business Magazine The restoration of a historic synagogue in Burlington’s Old North End has led to the launch of a new Vermont-based design and manufacturing business focused on rethinking one of the most overlooked elements in commercial interiors: exit signage. Entrepreneur and designer Kitter Spater completed the renovation of the 19th-century synagogue in November 2025, transforming the long-vacant building into a mixed-use property with a vintage clothing market on the upper floors and residential apartments below. The project emphasized preserving architectural character while adapting the space for modern use.

Vermont Business Magazine What began as a small gathering of passionate homebrewers has grown into one of the region’s most unique craft beverage celebrations. The Southern Vermont HomeBrew Festival, founded in 2015, will mark its 10th year on Saturday, May 2, 2026, bringing together talented homebrewers from across Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, and beyond for an afternoon of tasting, music, and outdoor festival energy. The festival showcases the creativity and innovation of the homebrewing community, featuring more than 30 regional homebrewers pouring over 125 unique beverages available exclusively at the event. Attendees can enjoy unlimited sampling of beer, cider, wine, and mead while exploring a wide variety of styles, including NEIPAs, sours, pastry stouts, porters, pilsners, fruited meads, hard ciders, and more. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation is dedicating a Roadside Historic Site Marker to Corporal Leonard A. Lord, the first Vermonter killed in action during the Great War. The Roadside Marker is set just outside Riverside Cemetery in Swanton, where Lord was reinterred in 1921. The tribute will be unveiled at 1:00 p.m. on April 12th at 176 North River Street in Swanton. Vermont & Massachusetts Army National Guard members, Cemetery Commissioner John Kaczkowski, Town Administrator Brian Savage, and Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer Laura V. Trieschmann, will provide remarks about Cpl. Lord and his legacy. All are welcome, though parking at the cemetery will be limited.

Vermont Business Magazine Ben & Jerry's newest flavor is here: Honey Graham Latte, featuring Coffee Caramel Ice Cream with Honey Graham Cracker Swirls and Crunchy Cinnamon Swirls. Honey Graham Latte is a creation combining the cozy comfort of a coffee break, a cinnamon-kissed caffeinated buzz, and the nostalgia of honey graham crackers - resulting in something new and unique that brings home a latte fun for Ben & Jerry's fans. The flavor is available NOW at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops nationwide, while supplies last. Honey Graham Latte will appear in select grocery stores as a Limited Batch pint starting this April. (No foolin'!)

Vermont Business Magazine Community College of Vermont (CCV)-Winooski student Isabel Frei has received two scholarships from the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Isabel was named a 2026 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,750 scholarship; she was also selected as a member of the 2026 All-USA Academic Team, which comes with a $3,000 scholarship. New Century Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,300 students from nearly 1,400 colleges nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Transfer Scholar is selected from each state.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on March 27, 2026, Brendan Sullivan, 29, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a 15- year term of imprisonment to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, and ordered to pay $20,000 of restitution to victims of his offenses. Sullivan previously pleaded guilty to using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice a child and possession of child sexual abuse materials. According to court records, Sullivan was previously convicted in federal court for possession of child sexual abuse materials.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, House Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement following the bipartisan House vote of 97-40 on H.951, an act relating to making appropriations for the support of the government: “Today, after months of deliberation and collaboration, the House of Representatives passed Vermont's state budget on a strong bi-partisan vote. The House Appropriations Committee unanimously recommended the proposed $9.334 billion FY27 budget, which makes impactful one-time and ongoing investments that meet crucial needs for Vermonters in all corners of the state."