Current News

Vermont Business Magazine On Town Meeting Day, Burlington voters approved investments in city services and workers, in strengthening equity and inclusion work, and support for police and firefighters. Over two-thirds of voters (70%) approved the proposed $0.05 Police & Fire tax rate increase, and 57% of voters approved a charter change to formally establish the City’s Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB) Office in the City Charter.

Vermont Business Magazine Otter Creek Engineering (OCE), a leading Vermont-based civil and environmental engineering firm based in Middlebury, has announced a key leadership transition. Jason Larocque, one of the company’s original founders and President since 2017, has stepped down from the role. Brent F. Rakowski, P.E. has been appointed to the position, effective immediately. Larocque will remain with the company in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition. During his tenure, OCE strengthened its reputation as one of Vermont’s most-trusted engineering firms and expanded partnerships with municipal, state, and private-sector clients across Vermont and New England.

Community News Service reporters fanned out across the Queen City to talk to voters about the issues. Burlington voters weighed a full ballot of spending and municipal issues during Town Meeting voting Tuesday. 

Vermont Business Magazine On Town Meeting Day, 2026, Burlington voters overwhelmingly approved Burlington School District’s (BSD) proposed budget for next school year. More than two-thirds of voters approved the budget, sending a clear message of encouragement and of confidence in the District's plan forward. “On behalf of the entire school district, I want to thank Burlingtonians for their strong support of Burlington public schools,” said BSD Superintendent Tom Flanagan. “This budget will allow us to continue to ensure that all learners are challenged, empowered, and engaged, while remaining responsive to the pressures faced by taxpayers. Thank you, Burlington, for your trust and support.” Earlier in the day, Flanagan took to social media to share a Happy Town Meeting Day message from the auditorium in the new Burlington High School and Burlington Technical Center.

by Mollie Nicholson and Emily Rodin, Community News Service Since the COVID-19 pandemic, several Vermont towns and cities have shifted to using the Australian ballot, particularly for Town Meeting Day votes on municipal budgets. Last year, 37% of municipalities used the Australian ballot to vote on budget issues, up from 28% in 2019, according to a Community News Service analysis, based on data from the Vermont Secretary of State’s office. The number of municipalities using the Australian ballot to elect town officers and vote on public questions also increased, but by a smaller percentage: from 66% in 2019 to 68% in 2025 for town officer elections, and from 40% in 2019 to 45% in 2025 for public questions.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, on Tuesday grilled Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem about how her mismanagement of taxpayer dollars and poor leadership over DHS have led to a complete loss of the American people’s confidence in her ability to lead the department and keep their families safe.  In his remarks, Senator Welch pressed Noem to apologize for inaccurately labeling Alex Pretti and Renee Good, American citizens who were shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, as “domestic terrorists.”

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group was recently ranked second in the Best Whole Life Insurance Companies of 2026 by The Wall Street Journal1. The list was based on a review of “10 large sellers of whole life insurance to find the best options based on policy fees, the reliability of policy illustrations, access to cash value and complaints against each company about its life insurance” according to the Wall Street Journal’s website. National Life Group has offered whole life insurance products through its affiliate, National Life Insurance Company, since 1851. The Wall Street Journal examined its TotalSecure whole life insurance policy for this analysis.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University (VTSU), in partnership with the Vermont Society of Professional Engineers, proudly celebrated its 2026 nominees for Student Engineer and Student Engineering Associate of the Year at a recognition dinner. The event highlighted students whose talent, dedication, and problem‑solving abilities distinguish them within VTSU’s Engineering Technology programs. Each year, VTSU engineering faculty select one graduating senior and one sophomore-level student for these honors, recognizing individuals who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and hands‑on technical strength. The dinner brought together faculty, peers, and industry partners to celebrate students who are poised to contribute meaningfully to Vermont’s engineering workforce.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union (VFCU) and WCAX today announced the successful completion of their third annual Great Vermont Coat Drive, surpassing last year's donation record with more than 1,200 coats collected. The drive concluded on February 20, 2026, with donations distributed to nonprofit organizations across the state. This year's drive introduced a new community partner, Gadue's Dry Cleaning, which professionally cleaned all donated coats before distribution, ensuring recipients received garments that were not only warm, but fresh and ready to wear. The addition of Gadue's reflects the growing momentum of the event and the credit union's commitment to treating every donation with the care it deserves.

Vermont Business Magazine Mr. Monopoly is making his way to Stowe, and he wants you to be part of his next venture! Top Trumps USA, the American division of Winning Moves International and creators of classic games and puzzles, will debut MONOPOLY: Stowe Edition in 2027, under license from Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company. The company is seeking well-established Stowe businesses and nonprofits to be part of this historic way to honor communities across the city.  MONOPOLY: Stowe Edition will replace the perennial board game’s famous Atlantic City squares, from Boardwalk to Park Place, with local businesses, nonprofits and landmarks. The Stowe board will also include a customized Community Chest, Chance playing cards and MONOPOLY Money, ensuring each detail of the game pays homage to our Stowe community.

Vermont Business Magazine KeyBank announced Tony DiSotto has been named East Regional Executive for Key Private Bank. Colin March has been appointed Regional Leader for Commercial Banking. DiSotto also serves as Maine and Vermont Market President, operating as spokesperson and overseeing business, philanthropic, and sponsorship efforts. In the regional executive role, he will lead wealth management teams in New York, New England, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Florida. DiSotto joined KeyBank in 2006 as a branch manager and has held several leadership roles within the retail division, in addition to working as business banking relationship manager.

Vermont Business Magazine The Liberty Justice Center filed a lawsuit challenging Vermont’s recently enacted Act 73, a 2025 law that drastically restricts the state’s historic town tuitioning system and unlawfully limits families’ educational options, including access to religiously affiliated independent schools. For more than two centuries, Vermont’s town tuitioning program has enabled students in communities without certain grade-level public schools (often rural, small, or geographically remote) to attend approved independent schools with publicly funded tuition. Act 73 marks a sharp departure from that tradition.