Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.17 per gallon, down 1.9 cents per gallon from last week's $3.19/g, according to GasBuddy. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.89/g while the highest was $3.89/g, a difference of $1 per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.03/g today. The national average is down 7.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 36.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine On January 17, 2024, at approximately 2:30 AM, reports of a building fire located at 246 Main Street in Winooski, Vermont were received. 1^st alarm units (St. Michael’s College Fire & Rescue, Vermont Air National Guard, and Burlington Fire Department) were dispatched to initially assist Winooski units. It took approximately 4 hours to bring the fires under control, and 16 hours for investigation and demolition. While the scene examination was being conducted, the Winooski Police Department was able to identify a person of interest regarding this fire. This resulted in the arrest of Patrick W. Ibbotson, charges include Reckless Endangerment, Setting Fires, and Unlawful Mischief.

Alan DeForest, Chairman, Norwich University Board of Trustees Dear Norwich Community, I want to provide an update regarding the presidency of our great university. As you know, the Board of Trustees last week announced the nomination of retired USMC Lieutenant General John Broadmeadow ‘83 to be the next president of Norwich University. Shortly after his nomination, John became aware of an emerging medical concern, and he informed the leadership that he will undergo a series of medical tests that will determine the extent of the diagnosis, treatment plans, and anticipated start date. 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is now requesting applications from Vermont businesses interested in vending at the Vermont Building at the 2024 Big E. The Vermont Building is one of six public market style buildings on the Avenue of the States at the Big E, a 17-day fair and exposition which takes place each September in West Springfield, MA. During this event, which brings in approximately 1.6 million people each year, the Vermont Building hosts a variety of Vermont food and retail businesses which showcase the best of what our state has to offer. The 2024 Big E will take place September 13th-29th. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on Saturday released the following statement on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent comments rejecting the idea of a two-state solution: "Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently said, 'In any future arrangement…Israel needs security control of all territory west of the Jordan,' adding that, 'I told this truth to our friends, the Americans…the prime minister needs to be able to say no, even to our best friends.' Prime Minister Netanyahu is right – we do need to be able to say NO to our friends."

by C.B. Hall, Vermont Business Magazine Brattleboro’s Food Connects joins the VermontBiz 100+ roster this year on the strength of 2023 total sales estimated at $3.1 million — an upswing from 2022’s $2.3 million, according to CEO Richard Berkfield. Incorporated in 2013 as a nonprofit, Food Connects aims to “cultivate healthy food and farm connections in classrooms, cafeterias and communities,“ Berkfield said. The company occupies 17,000 square feet, including 14,300 square feet of cold and dry storage, in the Brattleboro Development Credit Corp.’s industrial park on the north edge of the Windham County town. The company employs 29 full- and part-time workers.

by Amanda Kuhnert The Elmore Store has been the hub of the small rural town of Elmore for centuries. The white clapboard building, built in the early 1800s, is where residents stop for a gallon of milk, pick up their mail or catch up with neighbors. But in 2020 this community staple was in danger of shutting down when the owners decided to sell after 36 years in business. Thankfully, a group of community members stepped in to save the store. They formed the Elmore Community Trust and purchased the building, with the goal of leasing the store and post office space on the first level, along with two additional apartments.

Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies From directing the Peace and Justice Center to directing VSJF, Ellen Kahler has been a leader in advocating for human well-being to be at the center of Vermont's economic model. Hear about how she is breaking boundaries and supporting Vermont employees/employers. Not to mention, this episode is PACKED with resources.

Girls on the Run Vermont needs coaches! Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that inspires students in 3rd through 8th grade to be joyful, healthy, and confident. The ten-week program incorporates movement into its curriculum to empower participants to develop critical life skills, build confidence, cultivate positive connections with peers, manage their emotions, and stand up for themselves and others. Volunteer coaches utilize a curriculum to engage teams of girls in fun, interactive lessons. The spring season begins the week of March 18. Teams meet twice a week for 90 minutes and the program culminates with all teams participating in one of two noncompetitive, celebratory 5K events in Essex and Manchester, VT.

Leonine Public Affairs This week legislative committees continued to review new bills and bills carried over from 2023. It felt a bit like the calm before the storm as Governor Phil Scott will deliver his FY2025 budget proposal on Tuesday, January 23. The Republican governor and Democratic legislators have sparred over spending since 2023, when the legislature overrode the governor’s veto of the FY2024 Budget. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a leading nonprofit in the adaptive sports industry committed to providing year-round sports and recreational opportunities to people with disabilities, recently announced that 2023 marked a historic year of growth and impact for the 37-year-old organization. Vermont Adaptive provided a record-breaking 5,336 total activities and outings to participants in 2023, showcasing a remarkable milestone in its commitment to fostering inclusive and accessible outdoor experiences. This achievement represents not only a new record for the organization but also a testament to its mission to expanding opportunities for and access to adaptive sports and recreational programs. The organization also saw an 18% increase in total individual participants, with 1,096 individuals benefiting from Vermont Adaptive's diverse range of year-round programs.

BHAKTA Spirits, the world’s preeminent House of Vintages, has announced the launch of its inaugural rye vintage, BHAKTA 2013 Straight Rye Whiskey (SRP $149). Symbolizing a significant step forward for the paradigm-pushing spirits portfolio, this landmark limited release will claim its place in the annals of whiskey lore alongside the astronomically-valued early career creations of the brand’s founder, Raj Peter Bhakta. After inciting the “Rye Revolution” of the ‘00s and ‘10s through the iconic success of WhistlePig Whiskey — which he founded alone from a broken-down dairy farm in Vermont, and which exploded into a beloved billion-dollar brand — Bhakta made his name as a market-mover with a sixth sense for trendspotting.