Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Ahead of Town Meeting Day, Treasurer Pieciak is returning over $20 thousand in unclaimed property belonging to public schools, districts, and supervisory unions across the state.  The Treasurer’s Office is also urging public school administrators to search the State’s unclaimed property database to recoup any forgotten funds before local budgets are voted on next week. Unclaimed property includes lost checks, forgotten bank accounts, safety deposit boxes, and other financial property. These assets are regularly turned over to the State, and the Treasurer's Office safeguards them until claimed by rightful owners or their heirs.

Vermont Business Magazine A new scholarship opportunity for Vermont residents and/or companies interested in training in the logging and forest trucking industry is now available thanks to funding from Vermont’s Working Lands Enterprise Initiative. Administered by the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC), the opportunity will allow up to three Vermont residents that apply and are accepted into the Mechanized Logging Operations and Forest Trucking Program (MLOFT) in Maine to then apply for and obtain a $10,000 scholarship to cover subsistence or employment expenses to attend the 20-week certificate program.

Vermont Business Magazine Hiking Vermont’s hillsides is a great way to enjoy a spring day, but the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont recommend people check to see if the area they are planning to hike or climb is open.  In addition to trail closures to reduce impacts during mud season, several cliff areas are now closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has proposed issuing 85 moose hunting permits in Vermont’s Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) E in the northeastern corner of the state in a continued effort to reduce the impact of winter ticks on moose in that area.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Fish and Wildlife has announced a Freshwater Drum caught in 2025 has been officially certified as a new Vermont state record. In June, 10-year-old Grayson Carey of Colchester landed the record-setting fish while competing in the Lake Champlain International Father’s Day Derby with his father and grandfather.  The Freshwater Drum, also known as “sheepshead,” weighed 28.5 pounds and measured 37 ½ inches long with a 29-inch girth.  It beat the previous state record set in 2016 by three pounds. Grayson’s father, Jason Carey, said the catch was no accident.

Vermont Business Magazine Public hearings on the status of migratory game bird populations and proposed 2026 migratory game bird hunting seasons for the interior zone of Vermont and Lake Champlain zone in New York and Vermont will be held Tuesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 12.   The annual Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board informational hearings will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on March 10 and March 12.

Vermont Business Magazine Nonprofit organizations across Vermont can now apply for funding through the Vermont Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Development and Support competitive grant program. This grant program supports projects that strengthen organizational effectiveness and long-term sustainability, helping nonprofits better serve their communities.

Vermont Business Magazine More than 100 members of the Vermont Army National Guard’s Company A, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) will train this Sunday, March 1, at Bolton Valley Resort in partnership with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports’ Veteran Ventures program, blending mountain skills development with camaraderie and team building. Approximately 100 soldiers are expected to participate in skiing lessons and instruction to advance individual level skills and strengthen unit cohesion. Of those attending, more than 75 identify as beginner-level skiers, including 14 who have never been on skis. The average age of participating soldiers is 26, with service members ranging from 19- to 42-years-old.

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael’s College and the Lake Champlain Chamber have partnered to pilot a two-year co-operative education program designed to enhance career pathways for students and bolster regional talent pipelines. SMC Co-op is an innovative, career-focused initiative that connects high-achieving third- and fourth-year students with real-world, project-based experiences in local businesses. The model is rare in the national higher education landscape.

Vermont Business Magazine Charge Vermont, a state program established to promote and facilitate electrical vehicle use, today announced it has established DC Fast Charging stations (DCFC) in the towns of Weston and Woodstock. Each location will feature four new charge ports, filling gaps for all EV drivers in parts of the state farther than 10 miles from the nearest DCFC. In Woodstock, $160,000 helped fund the DCFC station at the Bridgewater Mill Complex, which hosts several local businesses and shops. In Weston, the Vermont Country Store, a longtime local business and travel destination, received $144,000 to support the installation. These new DCFC options are in addition to the 36 Level 2 charging ports that have come online in 10 different public attraction locations since the state of Vermont launched Charge Vermont in 2023. Charge Vermont still has funding available for Level 1 and Level 2 workplace and multiunit housing chargers.

Vermont Business Magazine KeyBank (NYSE: KEY), with branches in Vermont, is being recognized for its support of small and middle market business clients with nine 2026 Best Bank Awards from Crisil Coalition Greenwich in small business and middle market banking. These national and regional awards honor Key’s collaborative approach that empowers small business owner-operators in addressing their complex financial needs and depth of expertise that helps middle market companies optimize business performance.

Vermont Business Magazine The Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Richard J. Wobby, Jr., Executive Vice President of the Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC/VT), has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Chamber’s prestigious St. Patrick’s Day Award, recognizing him as Central Vermont’s Citizen of the Year. Richard will be honored during a festive St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Celebration on Tuesday, March 17 at 8:00 a.m. at the Barre Elks Lodge. The event will bring together community leaders, business professionals, and residents to celebrate his outstanding service and leadership. Richard’s selection is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the Central Vermont community. Through his leadership, steady support of local initiatives, and the time and energy he invests daily in strengthening the region’s business landscape, Richard has made a meaningful and lasting impact.