Current News

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, March 4, more than 150 community members, civic leaders, nonprofit executives, and business owners gathered at Retreat Farm to build momentum around a shared economic vision for Brattleboro. The event invited responses to a draft framework organized around a single goal: grow Brattleboro's population by 802 people by 2032. The initiative, called Next Generation Brattleboro, offers a clear way for every organization, business, and resident in town to contribute to the town's economic future. Born out of a smaller gathering in November, a working group of active community residents and leaders has since been compiling data, reviewing recent studies, and gathering community input — all aimed at ensuring Brattleboro is a place where each of us has the opportunity to thrive.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Chamber is now accepting applications for the Class of 2027 of Leadership Champlain, its flagship leadership development program. Since 1988, Leadership Champlain has graduated more than 1,200 professionals who now serve in executive roles, on nonprofit boards, in municipal leadership, and across key industries that power the regional economy. As workforce shortages, demographic shifts, and housing pressures reshape Vermont’s economic landscape, the program plays an increasingly important role in preparing leaders who understand both their organizations and the broader systems that influence them.

by Amy Spear, President, Vermont Chamber of Commerce As Vermont lawmakers return to Montpelier following Town Meeting break, the legislative session enters the phase where ideas must become decisions. For Vermont’s economy, those decisions carry real consequences. The first half of the session is often defined by hearings, proposals, and policy exploration. The second half is where priorities are tested, and choices become outcomes. Over the past several years, Vermonters have done something important. We have invested significant time and energy into planning for the state’s economic future. The Vermont Futures Project’s Economic Action Plan brought together the perspectives of more than 5,000 Vermonters and established measurable goals for workforce growth, housing development, and long-term economic opportunity.

Vermont Business Magazine Let's Build Homes commissioned a statewide poll of Vermont voters earlier this month, and the results confirm what our coalition has long known: Vermonters across the political spectrum are ready for action on housing. Vermonters are speaking with one voice. The housing shortage is not just one issue among many, it is the issue. Families are struggling, young people are being pushed out, and businesses can't find and keep workers. Communities across the state are feeling real pain. The Legislature has taken meaningful pro-homes steps in recent years, but this data sends a clear signal from every corner of the state that the public doesn't think the work is done. With three-quarters of voters demanding urgent action, we should pull every lever we can to accelerate the building of new homes in and near our existing communities.

Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce There are weeks when I am reminded just how lucky we are to live and work in Vermont. The week before last, I had a thoughtful conversation with Peter Welch about the economic realities facing our rural region. Last week, I had a wonderful one-on-one meeting with John Rodgers, who specifically wanted to hear what is standing in the way of our small businesses, and today is Town Meeting Day. Where else can you walk into a room with your neighbors and shape the future of your community? We are incredibly fortunate. But gratitude does not mean silence.

by Vermont Auditor Doug Hoffer Keeping children safe is one of state government’s most critical functions. Every day, thousands of Vermont parents entrust their kids to child care programs large and small. We decided to conduct an audit because we want to make sure the State is doing all it can to ensure they are safe early learning environments. What did we find? CDD conducted 5,254 site visits at childcare programs between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024. Licensors cited violations in 1,713 of the site visits, including 131 serious violations. Because of concerns about the completeness of CDD's Bright Futures Information System (BFIS) data, these numbers should be considered minimums.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit to block President Trump’s latest effort to impose illegal tariffs on American consumers and businesses. President Trump’s effort to increase tariffs worldwide without congressional approval disregards the law, upends constitutional separation of powers, and violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

Vermont Business Magazine The Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC/VT) proudly celebrated Women in Construction (WIC) Week with a special event at its Montpelier headquarters, bringing together tradeswomen, industry leaders, educators, and community partners to recognize the growing impact of women across Vermont’s construction workforce. The gathering highlighted the ongoing collaboration between AGC/VT and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Vermont Chapter, an active partnership dedicated to expanding opportunities, strengthening visibility, and supporting women entering or advancing in the trades.

Vermont Business Magazine Do North Coworking, a collaborative workspace and hub for entrepreneur-focused programs and events in Lyndonville, is transitioning ownership from Vermont State University (VTSU) to the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA), effective March 2026. Community members and coworkers can expect a seamless transition in addition to added benefits stemming from NVDA’s regional development role. Under NVDA’s management, Do North Coworking will continue to operate as a coworking and entrepreneurship hub while expanding programming, partnerships, and access across the region. NVDA’s broader focus positions Do North to grow as a hub for business support, startup development, and collaborative initiatives that serve remote workers and emerging entrepreneurs throughout northeast Vermont.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.16 per gallon, up 16 cents per gallon from last week, up 17 cents/g from last month and up 2 cents/g from a year ago, as the war in Iran has created uncertainty, drone strikes and pushed Brent crude over $84.50. Prices are lowest in Bennington ($3.05/g) and Windham ($3.11/g) counties and highest in Essex ($3.29/g), Lamoille ($3.22/g), and Franklin ($3.22/g), according to AAA.

Vermont Business Magazine The 20th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS) will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub. It is organized by the Composting Association of Vermont (CAV) and the Agency of Natural Resources. VORS brings together composters, farmers, businesses, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to advance solutions to keep clean organic materials out of landfills and return nutrients to Vermont soils. Additional workshops, tours, and hands-on learning opportunities will be held across the state on March 26.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, VIP Tires & Service, northern New England’s leader in all things tires and service, announced a 2025 fundraising total of $23,758.46 for Make-A-Wish Vermont in 2025. Customers and employees from VIP’s six locations throughout Vermont donated $11,879.23 and VIP Executive Chairman John Quirk matched the company’s contribution. VIP’s total contribution to Make-A-Wish now totals nearly $2 million since the company first partnered with the charity in 2008. Supporting young children who face life-threatening medical conditions, VIP customers were philanthropically active in all five New England states with VIP locations: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont — raising a grand total of $320,000 for Make-A-Wish in 2025.