Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Senate today gave final legislative approval to Proposition 4, the Equal Rights Amendment, sending the constitutional amendment to the House for a simple majority concurrence and then to Vermont voters for consideration on the November ballot. The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 29-0. Senator Steve Heffernan was present in the building today but left the Senate floor shortly before the vote. If ratified by voters, Proposition 4 would add a new article to Chapter I of the Vermont Constitution guaranteeing equal protection under the law and specifying that the state shall not deny equal treatment on account of a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.

Vermont Business Magazine Students and families from across Vermont are invited to the Davis Center at the University of Vermont (UVM) for College & Career Pathways on Saturday, March 14th. Organized by VSAC, College & Career Pathways is a free event to help high school students, family members, and guardians discover resources and connect with local experts. “Nearly every high-wage, high-demand job in Vermont requires education or training beyond high school. Engaging students in the great variety of opportunities available to them helps them find their own path, and grow into fulfilling careers,” said Scott Giles, VSAC President and CEO. “Ultimately, we want to empower students and families with the knowledge they need to navigate college or training after high school.”

Vermont Business Magazine According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the Trump administration’s efforts to fire hundreds of workers at the Department of Education have undermined the accuracy of student loan borrower records and have failed to hold servicers accountable for providing high-quality customer service to America’s 43 million student loan borrowers.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, led U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) in calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) to investigate all complaints the IG has received regarding FEMA. In their letter, the Senators raise concerns about allegations that DHS has retaliated against FEMA whistleblowers. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) invites municipalities to participate in the Municipal Roads Grants-in-Aid Program, which provides funding for municipalities to implement best management practices (BMPs) in accordance with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP). Grants-in-Aid awards will be made available through AOT. Municipalities will submit reimbursement requests directly to AOT for work completed, and AOT will reimburse up to 80% of the municipality’s documented construction expenses, including in-kind support, for BMPs on hydrologically connected roads. 

Vermont Business Magazine United for Medical Research has updated its annual analysis of the economic impact of research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The $52.4 million in NIH funding awarded to researchers in Vermont in FY2025 supported 495 jobs and generated $120.5 million in new economic activity.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations have edged back up to about 5 cases statewide. Other indicators through wastewater analysis show COVID-19, Norovirus and especially RSV in Vermont and nationally are active. 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 virus, RSV and Norovirus were high at all the Vermont wastewater testing sites.

Vermont Business Magazine Families in Woodstock now have the ability to utilize a new primary care model as longtime local physician Dr. Lorissa Segal opens a MDVIP-affiliated primary care practice. After more than 20 years practicing internal medicine and 17 years caring for the community of Woodstock, Dr. Segal is shifting her practice to focus on prevention, multigenerational care, and lifelong wellness for patients in the community she has long called home.

Vermont Economic Development Authority Message from the CEO Greetings everyone. I hope you all had a chance to participate in Town Meeting Day last week. It is a truly special Vermont tradition. As the days grow longer and warmer, the snow starts to disappear, and sugarers work overtime, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for our team here at VEDA. We are looking forward to celebrating Employee Appreciation Day later this week by spending time together outside the office. I am truly grateful to lead such a talented and devoted group of professionals who are dedicated to our mission of enhancing economic development in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation anticipates the availability of funding through State Revenue Fund Subsidy Assistance, Federal Transit Administration 49 U.S.C. Sections 5310, 5311 and 5311(b)(3), and 5339 capital programs for State Fiscal Year 2027 public transportation projects. These funds may be made available to a transit authority, transit district, municipal transit system, or a public non-profit transit system managing or operating regional public transportation services through a competitive application process.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) announced the establishment of a new endowed fund supporting the orchestra’s Concertmaster position in perpetuity. Named the Herbst Family Concertmaster Chair Fund, the endowment provides long-term financial stability for this essential leadership role, ensuring continued artistic excellence for generations of VSO musicians. The endowment was established by Bill Herbst, a lifelong listener and supporter of classical music who has attended VSO concerts since moving to Vermont in 1987. In addition to the endowment, Herbst has loaned a violin to the orchestra’s current Concertmaster, Katherine Winterstein.

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center View our annual impact report to learn about the positive outcomes of our work with Vermont manufacturing employers. Highlights include our services, how and where we engaged with partners and agencies statewide and several impressive data points. New this year is moving from annual reporting figures to three year stats; this change provides a more comprehensive view of long-term performance and trends in the manufacturing industry across the board.