Current News

by Megan James, UVM When it comes to studying abroad, Emma Swift always hopes that students will experience a little bit of “critical discomfort.” Safety and support are crucial, of course. But as the director of UVM’s Office of International Education, Swift knows that the best learning happens when there’s some friction. “It helps them see things differently, to take a different perspective,” she said. American students often flock to European cities like Florence or Barcelona, and they usually have wonderful experiences. But because they're surrounded by many other U.S. students, critical discomfort is harder to come by.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Department of Education has assigned Vermont the status of “Needs Intervention” to comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) based on data from the 2023-2024 school year, according to the Vermont Agency of Education. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at USED performs annual reviews of each state’s compliance with IDEA and assigns a status based primarily on student outcomes for children with disabilities as well as other compliance indicators. Reading and math proficiency along with graduation and dropout rates among children with disabilities in 2023-2024 contributed significantly to USED’s determination. Validity of data and longstanding noncompliance in select indicators also contributed to the determination.

Vermont Business Magazine GlobalFoundries (Nasdaq: GFS) (GF) today announced a multi-year partnership with ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (ECHO) to support ECHO’s STEM Outreach Programs, with a focus on expanding access to STEM education and strengthening teacher development throughout the region. The partnership deepens GF’s longstanding commitment to the Vermont community and to building the next generation of innovators. Through the collaboration, GF will help ECHO bring hands-on science, engineering and technology experiences directly to students, families and teachers, with particular emphasis on reaching rural and underserved communities where exposure to STEM careers has historically been limited.

Vermont Business Magazine The Essex Resort & Spa, along with its sister properties the Essex Experience and Essex Cinemas, have made a huge commitment to generating clean solar energy to power the properties. They’ve partnered with SunCommon, Vermont’s leading commercial solar provider, for clean energy from the sun, keeping their electricity costs stable and reducing their reliance on fossil fuel-reliant sources. Starting in the fall of 2025, SunCommon has been up on roofs at the Resort, starting with its new 4,968 square foot event space, The Farmhouse (119kW). Creating a green, sustainable venue makes it a perfect locale for everything from family gatherings to corporate parties, especially for eco-conscious guests.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is issuing an air quality alert for Thursday, July 16, beginning at 6:00 AM through 11:00 PM.  Counties affected are Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties. Wildfire smoke from Canada is expected to elevate concentrations of fine particulate matter pollution to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (code orange) on the Air Quality Index in southern Vermont. Particle pollution may be Moderate (code yellow) on the Air Quality Index for central and northern Vermont. Wildfire smoke can cause a hazy or milky appearance in the sky and may be noticeable by smell at times. The air quality forecast will be updated on Thursday afternoon for conditions expected on Friday.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s dairy leadership was once again on full display at the annual American Cheese Society (ACS) Competition. In a historic performance, Vermont makers swept the event with a record-breaking 54 total awards. Part of this masterful showing for local agriculture were sister brands Grafton Village Cheese Company and Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company, securing three major accolades each. As the most prestigious sensory evaluation of its kind in the Americas, the ACS awards celebrate quality-driven dairy. The outstanding performance of both brands comes down to a shared dedication to Vermont’s working landscape, premium local milk, and distinct regional flavors.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $4.04 per gallon, up 9 cents per gallon from last week, down 13 cents/g from last month and up 94 cents/g from this time last year, according to AAA. The lowest price in the state this week was $3.65/g. The conflict in Iran caused oil prices to rise this week as the US and Iran renewed strike threats. The national average price of gasoline has risen 10 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.94/g today.

by Denise Smith, Vermont Council on Rural Development At the recent Statewide Civics Bee I participated in, Vermont students offered thoughtful and practical solutions to community challenges—a powerful reminder of civic responsibility. I was struck by their creativity, problem-solving skills, and commitment to making a difference. Their ideas reflect the kind of civic responsibility that has long sustained our democracy: people stepping forward for the greater good through local engagement. Yet across the state, fewer people are stepping up to serve in local roles, weakening the trust and relationships that support leadership.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ - UNB) today announced results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend. Consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2026, was $2.9 million, or $0.61 per share, compared to $2.4 million, or $0.53 per share, for the same period in 2025, and $5.9 million, or $1.26 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $4.9 million, or $1.08 per share, for the same period in 2025.

Vermont Business Magazine Alliance for Automotive Innovation has released its exclusive state-by-state analysis of the U.S. electric vehicle market for Q1 2026. The Get Connected Electric Vehicle Report summarizes EV sales, purchasing trends and charging infrastructure across the country. At the end of Q1 2026, there were about 19,400 EVs on the road in Vermont and 1,365 publicly available charging outlets – a ratio of 14 EVs for every public port. This includes 282 DC Fast chargers, with 11 net new chargers added in Q1 2026. Vermont ranks No. 22 in market share at about 9%. California has the highest share of EVs at nearly 25% with Washington State at nearly 20%. Oklahoma is lowest at about 1%.

by Denise Smith I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Statewide Civics Bee hosted by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. This program, sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, helps prepare middle school students for leadership and civic engagement. The students write an essay that identifies a problem in their communities and propose thoughtful, practical solutions; from building a youth volunteer network to help their neighbors shovel driveways, to addressing youth mental health, to rethinking school start times. I was struck by their creativity,  problem solving skills, and commitment to making a difference.

Vermont Humanities recently awarded $99,137 in Project Grants to 24 different organizations for our Summer Project Grant Round, including $5,000 to All the Rivers to support their music-driven storytelling initiative that celebrates immigrant artists in Vermont through live performances and interactive workshops. The summer awards included $16,387 to four organizations to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary, using funds from the Vermont 250th Commission and private donors. They will open the application form for our Fall 2026 Project Grants in early August, with an application deadline of Wednesday, September 9.