Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Richard Memoli, 69, of Vergennes, Vermont, was arraigned on two counts of felony human trafficking, three counts of felony aggravated sexual assault, one count of felony first degree aggravated domestic assault, one count of felony cocaine possession, three counts of misdemeanor voyeurism, two counts of misdemeanor prostitution, and one count of misdemeanor simple assault. The charges brought against Memoli are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vergennes Police Department.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Electric Department (BED) announced a five-year renewal of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Vermont Wind’s Sheffield Wind Farm. The PPA represents both continued support of Burlington’s energy needs with clean, renewable generation and BED’s commitment to in-state and New England renewable resources. The Vermont Wind Sheffield facility is a 40-megawatt, 16-turbine wind farm in northeastern Vermont. BED’s renewal of this wind power PPA will continue to ensure delivery of 16 megawatts of Vermont-produced electricity to BED. BED’s current contract with Vermont Wind for electricity from the Sheffield Wind Farm expires on October 18, 2026, with the new renewal beginning immediately thereafter. The renewal was authorized by the Burlington Electric Commission on July 23, 2025.

Vermont Business Magazine The Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation (CVEDC) has announced that Fred Kenney, who has 30 years of economic development experience, has been brought on to lead the organization as Interim Executive Director during a transition period. Fred recently retired after serving as Executive Director of the Addison County Economic Development Corporation for eight years. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Vermont Economic Progress Council for 15 years, and before that on Senator Patrick Leahy’s staff for 13 years. 

Vermont Business Magazine Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC/VT) Executive Vice President Richard Wobby was presented with the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Citizen of the Year during the Chamber’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Tuesday. The award was presented by Jeannette Kingsbury, president of the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, at the Elks lODGE in Barre. Wobby was recognized not only for his decades of leadership in Vermont’s construction industry, but for his extensive record of community service, and the energy and heart he brings to it.

Vermont Business Magazine Saba Marine, Lake Champlain’s leading full-service powerboat dealership, will host its third annual Saba Marine Boat Show at its Colchester showroom. The three-day event marks the unofficial start of boating season for Lake Champlain and lakes across Vermont. The show will feature Vermont’s largest selection of new, pre-owned, and brokerage boats, giving attendees the opportunity to compare layouts side by side and speak with the sales team about inventory, financing options, and preparing for the upcoming boating season.

Vermont Business Magazine PC Construction, a national leader in design-build, construction management, and general contracting services based in South Burlington, Vermont, has announced a significant expansion of its operations with a new, larger regional hub in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s regional growth strategy, providing the infrastructure needed to support an expanding project portfolio and an increasing headcount. The transition to Midtown—Atlanta’s premier hub for innovation and commerce—positions PC Construction at the center of the city’s vibrant professional landscape. The new office is designed to foster a collaborative environment for the company’s current employee owners while serving as a primary engine for aggressive recruitment efforts.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Arts Council recently secured new funding from a national grant program to advance creative aging programs for older adults in Vermont. Through a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, Vermont secured $77,500 to support the Amplifying Creative Senior Centers Project, a new joint effort between the Arts Council and the Vermont Association of Senior Centers and Meal Providers (VASCAMP) that builds on the Council’s Creative Aging initiative. With this funding, the Arts Council and VASCAMP will work collaboratively to expand accessible creative aging programs statewide by regranting a bulk of the funds to Vermont’s rural senior centers.

Vermont Department of Economic Development It’s often said that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This month, our department has certainly been roaring across Vermont through collaborations, community visits, and conversations with partners throughout the state. These opportunities allow us to connect directly with communities, hear about the challenges and successes they are experiencing, and work together on solutions that support Vermonters. The partnerships we build with local leaders, organizations, business are essential to the work we do every day.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the public to comment on draft updates to the state wetland maps in 150 towns, covering over 45% of Vermont. The updated maps show the approximate location and shape of wetlands across major parts of Caledonia, Windham, Windsor, Grand Isle, and Essex counties. Combined with other recent map updates, approximately 80% of Vermont’s wetland maps will soon be current, leaving only 20% outdated. The updates are required by the Flood Safety Act, Act 121, passed in 2024 and are ahead of the timeline established by law. DEC anticipates placing the remaining areas of Vermont on notice this year.

by Jack Hoffman Spring is almost here and that means time is short for Montpelier to get in step with local communities on education funding. Montpelier wants to create a new system so it can control spending, and local communities are looking for help to cope with higher costs. They aren’t the same thing. Going into Town Meeting, vtdigger ran a story about the pressures local school officials were facing this year. They talked about the rising cost of healthcare, the effects of inflation on salaries as well as other goods and services they have to buy, and other financial demands that they don’t control.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold public hearings on deer and moose management for 2026 on March 16, 18 and 19. The hearings will include results of Vermont’s 2025 deer seasons and prospects for deer hunting next fall as well as an opportunity for people to provide their observations and opinions about the current status of the deer herd. The hearings will also include a review of the 2025 moose hunting seasons and an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the number of moose permits recommended for 2026.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP) and the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation have announced the 2026 Barn Preservation Grant awardees. This year, the program will award $365,350 in matching grants to fund 20 preservation projects across nine Vermont counties. These grants will leverage over $1 million in restoration and rehabilitation efforts. VDHP received 29 applications this year requesting a total of $522,700 in funding.