Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Skullcandy, the #1 selling brand in true wireless earbuds under $100, announced today its all-new collaboration with Burton, the world's leading snowboard brand. The limited-edition collection includes Skullcandy fan-favorites Crusher Evo true wireless headphones, along with Push Active and Mod true wireless earbuds. Each offering features a bold asymmetrical aesthetic in a unique Naughty Nature colorway inspired by nature's wild energy and the drive to push boundaries on and off the mountain. The collaboration is available globally, exclusively on Skullcandy.com. Both a Skullcandy and Burton ambassador, Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time female Snowboarder of the Year Anna Gasser, lends her image to the Skullcandy x Burton collaboration. She not only drives progress in her sport but in her community as well, pushing boundaries and inspiring up-and-comers to follow their dreams.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Senate advanced S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, on a 19-10 vote. The bill will now head to the House of Representatives. The Senate would need 20 votes to override a possible veto of the bill by Governor Scott, who has voiced his displeasure with the current wording of S.5. "In Vermont, 73% of the energy in the thermal sector comes from fossil fuels, and every bit of that energy is imported, meaning those dollars are leaving our local economy. This policy would create a blueprint for a sector-wide transition for fossil fuel heating providers, requiring them to help their customers stay warm with cleaner, renewable energy sources and phase out the use of fossil fuels over time."

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) held a press conference today at the Howrigan Dairy Farm in Sheldon, VT, calling for passage of the DAIRY PRIDE Act to reverse a proposed FDA rule allowing beverages derived from plants to be labeled ‘milk’. The rule poses a serious threat to the already-precarious dairy industry in Vermont and risks creating confusion among consumers. The Senator was joined by Howrigan Dairy Farm owner and Dairy Farmers of America Northeast Area Director Harold Howrigan, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts, and Agri-Mark member and farmer Joanna Lidback.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott tapped a maple tree at the Connor Maple Farm in St Albans today to recognize the beginning of the new maple season. The governor was joined by Mike and Joanne Connor and their family, Senator Peter Welch, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts and a large contingent of area children, all excited to see the sap run and get a taste of Vermont’s sweet season. The Connor Family has operated their maple syrup business since 2011. They have 9,000 taps in St. Albans Town that produces over 3,300 gallons of Vermont maple syrup each year.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont business leaders met with the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Susan Collins at King Arthur Baking Company in White River Junction as part of her ongoing visits around New England to gauge economic conditions. The meeting, convened by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, provided an opportunity for Vermont business leaders to discuss the state's economic challenges and opportunities. President Collins expressed the importance of hearing directly from business owners, to ensure the Boston Federal Reserve has a well-rounded analysis of the state of the economy.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) is now accepting applications for Congressionally Directed Spending projects. The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee authorizes each Senator to request Congressionally Directed Spending projects for possible inclusion in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills. Constituents may suggest projects for Senator Welch to request by filling out a survey. This survey will be open until Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 11:59 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine For the first time in over two years, average diesel prices in the U.S. today will fall below their year-ago levels according to GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform saving North American drivers the most money on fuel. Diesel prices have declined nearly $1.50 per gallon since reaching record-levels last spring and now stand at an average of $4.35 per gallon, the lowest level since the days immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The lowest price in Vermont is $4.35 in Wells River and the highest is $5.69 in Bradford.

Vermont Business Magazine Chroma Technology is honored to once again be named a Best Place to Work in Vermont by VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. This is Chroma’s 6th year being recognized as a Best Place to Work in Vermont. As a 100% employee-owned company, Chroma is committed to excellence in all aspects of our business and is very proud to receive this recognition.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group is accepting submissions beginning March 3 from Vermont high school bands to compete in 2023 Beats for Good for a chance to perform at its annual benefit concert, Do Good Fest. Beats for Good is open to any current Vermont high school student and their classmates. This contest is open to musical acts of all sizes and genres, acoustic or electric. The grand prize winner will open Do Good Fest, have the opportunity to meet the local and national musicians, and receive a $5,000 donation to their school’s music program. First and second runners-up will receive $2500 and $1000 respectively for their school’s music program, play during the festival and also have exclusive backstage access.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Cheese Championship, a biennial contest held this year in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, deployed a professional panel of judges to evaluate over 2,249 entries. A first, second, and third place cheese or dairy product was named for each of the 113 entry categories. The 20 highest scoring cheeses were then evaluated for a final round of judging. Whitney, Jasper Hill Farm’s top scoring entry, is the American Cheese Society’s current Best in Show Champion. It is a raw milk, semi-firm cheese made with natural cultures from the Farm’s own herd of cows. Whitney has a velvet-smooth, supple texture, rosy-orange hued washed rind, and notes of butter and toasted nuts. Whitney’s recipe is based on classic European Mountain style cheeses designed for melting, and as such, it took first in the Raclette-style category at both the ACS and USCC Competitions.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) today delivered a letter to President Joe Biden, voicing his concern for the future of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urging the Biden Administration to make assertive efforts to end the cycle of violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. Following a recent congressional delegation visit to Israel, during which the senators met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sen. Welch expressed his increasing concerns about the current Israeli government’s apparent lack of commitment to advancing the two-state solution and protecting peace and prosperity in the region.

VAHHS President and CEO Mike Del Trecco, in response to the recent federal ruling in New Hampshire regarding the practice of boarding patients in need of mental health services in hospital emergency departments, said today: “We have been following the recent federal ruling in neighboring New Hampshire regarding the boarding of patients in need of inpatient mental health treatment in hospital emergency departments. A federal judge declared the state's practice of involuntarily holding psychiatric patients in emergency departments unconstitutional. We experience the same challenges with patients who need inpatient psychiatric care, but are being boarded in our emergency departments, unable to be transferred for lack of available beds. We are working hard to find solutions that can benefit the patients and staff who deal with these situations daily."