Current News

Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies sat down with our friend Chelsea Bardot Lewis, the Executive Director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR). She’s steering VBSR into its next chapter by doubling down on in-person connection, pragmatic advocacy around housing, healthcare, workforce, and climate resilience, and building a stronger, more generous Vermont business ecosystem.

by Jack Hoffman Some school districts are experiencing sticker shock heading into Town Meeting. Their projected tax increases for the next school year seem out of line with their proposed spending increases. A few different things can cause this, but one big factor was the Legislature’s decision last year to use one-time funds to lower tax rates for the current school year. School tax rates are determined by per-pupil spending. But from year to year, spending and tax rates don’t necessarily track one another. For one thing, property taxes are the shock-absorbers for the funding system. Tax rates for other sources of education revenue, such as the sales tax or rooms and meals tax, are fixed. So if they fall short in any given year, property taxes have to make up the difference and rates go up accordingly.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) visited the Rockingham Municipal Fire Department’s Bellows Falls Fire Station to celebrate new federal funding—championed and secured by the Senator—to help build a new fire station in Saxtons River with expanded emergency services. Senator Welch secured $598,000 for the Rockingham Municipal Fire Department’s Saxtons River Station in a recently passed funding bill, through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process. 

Vermont Business Magazine Major General Gregory Knight, Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard, delivered his final State of the Guard address Thursday to members of the Vermont Legislature, reflecting on seven years of organizational progress, reaffirming the Guard’s role as a civic institution, and expressing confidence in the future of the force and the State of Vermont. In remarks focused on partnership, accountability, and service, Maj. Gen. Knight emphasized that the strength of the Guard is inseparable from its relationship with civilian leadership and the communities it serves.

Vermont Business Magazine The First Congregational Church of Bennington (Old First Church) in Old Bennington, one of Vermont’s most significant historic landmarks, has been awarded a $500,000 Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Park Service, administered in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The highly competitive grant will support the completion of the second and third phases of a multi-year capital restoration project, focused on stabilizing the historic structure and improving public access and visitor amenities. Phases two (2) and three (3) of the project build on earlier preservation efforts and address critical structural needs, including continued stabilization of the building envelope and essential systems.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) joined health care providers and community leaders Wednesday for roundtable discussion at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) to discuss the importance of rural and independent pharmacies. Senator Welch celebrated $1.4 million in new federal funding—which he championed and secured—to help build new pharmacies in Caledonia County and address the recent loss of pharmacies in Caledonia towns.  Over 28 Vermont pharmacies have closed permanently in the past few years, including two in Caledonia County—St. Johnsbury’s only downtown pharmacy in 2023 and Hardwick’s only pharmacy in 2024. There are only three pharmacies left in Caledonia County.

Vermont Captive Insurance Association Join advisor Bill Murray and captive owner Steve Ratterman as they unveil the inspiring turnaround stories of two Vermont captives, including FRMT, Ltd., insurance for college fraternities. These compelling and true sagas are ones you won’t want to miss! In this engaging scenario-based discussion, participants will dive into the real-world challenges and critical decisions that shaped the specific strategies in this case study, exploring key lessons learned along the way.

by Jules Older Picture a world where there's no need for human work. No. That's a fantasy, nothing more. Let’s see about that. And let’s start with doctors.

Vermont Business Magazine Maine Drilling & Blasting (MD&B), a leader in drilling and blasting services with an office in New Haven, Vermont, marks its 60th anniversary. Founded on principles of honesty, hard work, and exceptional customer service, MD&B has grown into one of the most sophisticated organizations in the industry, powered by more than 600 Employee Owners and guided by core values of Integrity, Ownership, Innovation, and Accountability.

Vermont State Police Police have arrested two suspects in connection with an August 2025 assault in West Pawlet that led to the death of the victim, 54-year-old Mark Ray of West Pawlet, this past November. The Vermont State Police on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2026, located Richard J. Mattison, 42, of Poultney at a home in the Rutland County town of Wells and took him into custody on charges of first-degree murder and assault and robbery. Mattison was brought to the state police barracks in Rutland for processing and was subsequently jailed without bail pending arraignment, which is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Rutland. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark today released Vermont’s revenue results for January 2026, which showed the General Fund again lagged behind targets. The Corporate tax was well below expectations, but the Personal income tax bounced back and is now just ahead of expectations for the year. The Transportation Fund also missed its monthly targets, while the Education Fund exceeded its monthly target. Consumption taxes had an overall good month, which reflects on travel and tourism.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont initial weekly unemployment claims fell slightly and are holding at under 400. For the week ending January 31, 2026, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that there were 357 new claims, down 28 from the previous week and up 30 from last year at this time. New claims are at typical seasonal levels, but ongoing claims remain high. Total claims were 4,293, down 35 from the week before and are up 208 from last year at this time. Claims, which tend to be lowest in the summer, were 186 in September 2025.