Current News

Vermont Busienss Magazine The Shires of Southwestern Vermont Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), an affiliate of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber and in partnership with Matte Olive and Hearst StoryStudio, is celebrating the successful completion of a major destination marketing campaign designed to attract new, diverse, first-time visitors to Southern Vermont through inclusive storytelling, targeted promotion, and data-informed strategy. The campaign was made possible through a State of Vermont tourism marketing grant focused on helping destinations reach new audiences through integrated, research-driven promotion.

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, March 18th, Village Garage Distillery’s Founder Matt Cushman, Director of Sales Douglas Goble, and head of Marketing Tom Remp were in attendance at the Vermont State House for the reading of H.C.R.187, a House concurrent resolution congratulating VGD on “winning a silver medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Bonfire… a smoked maple bourbon.”

The Vermont State Police investigated the death of a man who was in the custody of the Vermont Department of Corrections. VSP was notified at about 9:40 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, that Gregory H. Penn, a 68-year-old inmate at the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, had died while receiving palliative care in the prison infirmary for a terminal illness. The Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, determined the cause of death to be from complications of an ongoing medical issue. The manner of death was classified as natural.  

Vermont Business Magazine Dedicated to supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families, Families First in Southern Vermont will celebrate its first year serving the Bennington County community in May. So far, FFSV has welcomed 32 people who have benefitted directly from person centered support, adult learning opportunities and coordination to help people with disabilities to find and keep meaningful employment.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations have fallen below 5 cases statewide, their lowest reading this year. There were no measles cases after one reported in Vermont in February in Washington County and the rate nationally is low. While there was no measles virus detected recently, COVID-19, RSV and Norovirus remained elevated at all the Vermont wastewater testing sites. Outbreaks increased slightly from mid-summer and have recently subsided, especially in residential care facilities. School outbreaks in recent months have been rare.

Vermont Business Magazine Let’s Build Homes (LBH) is calling on Vermont legislative leaders to take action this session to fix or repeal key provisions of Act 181 that risk worsening the state’s already severe housing shortage and placing undue burdens on rural communities. In a letter sent to Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth and Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski, LBH urged lawmakers to address the impending implementation of the Act’s “road rule” and Tier 3 provisions, which are scheduled to take effect later this year.

by Vermont Commissioner of Taxes Bill Shouldice I know that there are a lot of Vermonters out there who are concerned about the cost of living in our state. As a lifelong Vermonter, a father, a grandfather, a son to parents retired in Vermont, and as Vermont’s commissioner of taxes -- I am too. And for Vermonters who could really use some extra money in their pockets right about now, I’m going to make a suggestion that might sound strange to you: File your taxes. The filing deadline for federal and Vermont personal income taxes is April 15, 2026.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Cancer Center is the first in Vermont to begin using a revolutionary new treatment called transarterial microperfusion (TAMP) for pancreatic cancer. This is is one of the most difficult cancers to treat and the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The innovative treatment is designed to deliver therapy directly to the tumor site while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body – helping patients live longer while reducing the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy that dramatically impact quality of life. The company behind the innovative medical device now being used at UVM Cancer Center is RenovoRx.

by Devon Green, Sr. Vice President of Policy & Strategy, VAHHS Don’t be fooled by the number of items in the Update—there was a ton of running around this week. We are thoroughly in the back half of the session where proposals are starting to solidify. Including: Reference-Based Pricing: Chair Lyons and the rest of the members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee are proposing an amendment to S.190 after an agreement between VAHHS and the Green Mountain Care Board that clarifies reference-based pricing for hospitals. For FY 2027, hospitals will be reimbursed at 225% of their Medicare reimbursement for Vermont’s Qualified Health Plans in the individual and small group market. 

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice has hired Dr. Alyson Emmons-Abbruzzi, DO, the agency’s new Medical Director for Home Health, Hospice, and the Palliative Care Consultative Service. Dr. Emmons-Abbruzzi succeeds Dr. Anthony Williams, who served as CVHHH’s Home Health Medical Director for over a decade. Dr. Emmons-Abbruzzi is an accomplished physician who brings nearly thirty years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient palliative care and hospice settings. Board-certified in internal medicine, hospice, and palliative care, and as a hospice medical director, Dr. Emmons-Abbruzzi serves as the Regional Medical Director, Northeast, for Compassus Hospice. 

Vermont Business Magazine United Counseling Service (UCS) is partnering with the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU) on Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education). Project AWARE is a national initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with a goal of increasing awareness of mental health challenges among school-aged youth, train staff and community members to identify early signs of concern and connect families with support and resources before problems become crises. Project AWARE helps our schools and community work together to ensure that every student has the tools and support they need to thrive.

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Bank President and CEO Josephine Moran has been awarded Vermont Bankers Association’s Woman of the Year in recognition of her deep commitment to the cause of lifting-up, mentoring, and supporting fellow women in the workplace.  Moran’s efforts have extended through out her career and provided inspiration and guidance to countless co-workers. In receiving the award this month, Moran was described as a visionary leader who, with generosity and authenticity, she shares her wisdom, lived experiences, and thoughtful insights, standing beside women as they navigate their professional journeys. Her commitment to collaboration shines through in everything she does.