Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A coalition of Vermont small businesses opposing a proposed handling fee increase (H.915) has more than doubled in size as lawmakers return for the final scheduled week of the legislative session. The “Keep Vermont Affordable” coalition has grown from 25 to 51 businesses as more Vermonters warn that the misguided proposal, they say, would add nearly $2 million in new costs across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Republican Representative Ashley Bartley of Franklin-1 (Fairfax and Georgia) and Vice-Chair of the House Committee on General & Housing has announced her candidacy for the Vermont State Senate, seeking to represent the Chittenden North District, which includes the communities of Milton, Fairfax, Westford, and a portion of Essex Town. Bartley's announcement follows the decision by Senator Chris Mattos (R) to not seek re-election.

Vermont Business Magazine An international human rights complaint alleging abuses in the dairy supply chain of Hannaford Supermarket is moving forward, bringing Hannaford’s parent company into mediation with farmworkers. The decision comes in the midst of a years-long campaign urging the Northeast supermarket chain to improve labor conditions and protect workers’ rights on dairy farms. In April, 2025, Vermont-based farmworker organization Migrant Justice submitted a complaint with the Dutch government alleging abuses on dairy farms supplying Hannaford Supermarket. After a year of investigation and deliberation, the National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct in the Netherlands (The Hague) has concluded that the complaint should move forward.

Vermont Humanities Council Vermont non-profits: don’t miss your chance to apply for a grant of up to $2500 to host a Fall Festival project centered around the theme of Our Woven History. Applications are due before midnight on Tuesday, June 2. Every year, our Fall Festival celebrates National Arts and Humanities Month in October and reminds Vermonters of the impact and breadth of the humanities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Preservation Trust of Vermont, the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, the Vermont Creative Network, and the Vermont Arts Council are hosting two powerful conferences in one remarkable town: The 2026 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference on Thursday, June 4, and the 2026 Creative Sector Convening on Friday, June 5, both in St. Albans. At the Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference, participants will learn proven strategies for community revitalization. Sessions will explore how intentional, community-driven efforts lead to transformative results.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Senate on May 15 gave its final approval to H.739 and the House concurred on May 20. The landmark legislation to ban the toxic pesticide paraquat, which is linked to Parkinson’s disease. Governor Phil Scott signed the bill into law on Tuesday, May 26. The bill passed through the Legislature without requiring a roll call vote. Health and environmental advocates celebrated its enactment to protect farmworkers, rural communities, and Vermont families. The weed killer is used in very limited amounts now in Vermont, typically in orchards and on berry farms. The law will end the sale and use of paraquat in November 2026, with a phased transition for certain crops with state permission until a full statewide ban takes effect at the end of December 2030.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community College of Vermont (CCV) will hold its 2026 commencement ceremony at Norwich University’s Shapiro Field House in Northfield, Vermont on Saturday, June 6. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. Nearly 500 students will be awarded associate degrees. The college also announced that this year’s keynote speaker is Will Eberle, founder of Mission Driver Consulting and executive director of Alyssum, a peer-based mental health respite program. Eberle, whose own higher education journey began at CCV, is a human services leader who has dedicated his career to uplifting Vermont’s most vulnerable citizens. The student speakers for the Class of 2026 are Darrell Martin and Briana Samaniego. At 79, Martin is the eldest member of the Class of 2026.

Vermont Business Magazine Tuttle Law Print Inc., generally known as Tuttle Printing, has become 100% employee-owned through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan, following the company’s purchase of the remaining individual ownership interest from recently retired CEO Ben Nooney. The transaction completes an employee-ownership journey that began in 1995, when Tuttle first established its ESOP. With this final share purchase, the company is now fully owned by the employees who operate and serve the business every day. Founded in 1912, Tuttle Printing has served generations of Vermont businesses, nonprofits, law firms, designers, marketers, and office managers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Governor’s Inn to welcome new owners Craig Weber and Dan Buryj. The event took place on the inn’s welcoming front porch, where Chamber Executive Director Carol Lighthall and Assistant Director Riley Karl joined Craig and Dan to commemorate this exciting new chapter for one of Ludlow’s most cherished historic properties. The celebration also included family and friends, as well as Art Randolph of M&T Bank, a Chamber Board Member, who joined the festivities to show their support for the couple’s new venture and the inn’s bright future.

Vermont Business Magazine Interrobang Design Collaborative, Inc., Richmond, VT, has been awarded a 2026 ADI Excellence in Packaging Gold Medal for the Backus Distillery Bourbon label. The American Distilling Institute (ADI) recognizes outstanding spirits packaging through its annual Excellence in Packaging Awards, held concurrently with the ADI International Spirits Competition.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Justin Couture, 37, of Jeffersonville, Vermont, was sentenced on Friday, May 22, 2026, in Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Luring a Child. Couture also admitted to violating his probation in a case prosecuted by the Orleans County State’s Attorney. The Court, Judge Rory Thibault presiding, sentenced Couture to two to five years in prison, all suspended except for six months to serve, with six years of probation. Conditions of Couture’s probation mandate completion of sex offender programming, limit Couture’s contact with children, and restrict his access to the internet. Couture is also required to register as a sex offender for 10 years after the completion of his sentence.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Jennifer Tyler, 48, of Brattleboro, was arraigned on charges of abusing a patient and engaging in unlicensed practice as a nursing assistant. The charges are the result of an investigation led by the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) and referred to the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) for prosecution. OPR investigators discovered that Tyler lied on her application for licensure as a Licensed Nursing Assistant by failing to disclose her criminal history. Upon discovering this issue, OPR notified Tyler in May of 2025 that her provisional license to practice had been rescinded.