Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A new study has revealed the states with the lowest college graduation rates, naming Alaska as having the worst rate in the country. The data, done by SEO agency Hennessey Digital, looked at the graduation rates across all colleges in each state according to the latest available data from US National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Vermont ranks #5 nationally for college graduation rates at 69.80%—an impressive 8.88 percentage points above the national average of 60.92% and securing the Green Mountain State's position among America's higher education elite. With 7 in 10 college students (4,222 of 6,049) successfully completing their degrees, Vermont—the nation's second-smallest state by population—dramatically outperforms 45 larger states.

VMEC and the VT Department of Labor (VT DOL) have announced their latest Apprenticeship partnership. The American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund is a new pay-for-performance federal incentive program administered by VMEC on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor. It is designed to help employers create, expand, and sustain Registered Apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing. 

Vermont Business Magazine Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer is facing multiple charges related to numerous reported incidents of sexual misconduct, according to the result of a monthslong investigation by the Vermont State Police. The investigation began in July 2025, when VSP received numerous anonymous tips through the Vermont Tip Line alleging possible misconduct surrounding the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office, specifically its finances and the management of funds. The case was assigned to detectives from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations from outside the area to avoid any potential conflicts of interest in pursuing the matter. 

Vermont League of Cities & Towns This message from Phil Latvis, Director of Risk Management Services, offers a quick look back at 2025 and an encouraging look ahead to the opportunities and improvements coming in 2026. Announcements & Updates By Sunday 2/1, TM Warnings Must Be Posted. The last day for selectboards to warn their town meetings is this Sunday! Unlike some statutory deadlines, this one is not automatically extended to the next workday.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced that the City will open an extreme cold weather shelter in partnership with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) at the Miller Center at 130 Gosse Court in response to the dangerously cold weather forecasted this week. After reviewing weather modeling in consultation with the City’s Emergency Management Director, officials have determined the forecasted temperatures the evenings of Thursday, January 29 and Saturday, January 31 meets the City’s criteria for operation of an extreme cold weather shelter.     Hours of operation will be from 5pm on Thursday, January 29 until 8am on Friday, January 30 and from 5pm on Saturday, January 31 until 8am on Sunday, February 1.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening communities around the state by announcing 15 partner organizations were approved for grant funding in the second cycle of the Grants for Relocation Outreach Work (GROW) program. The grants support local, regional, county-wide, or state-wide organizations conducting new resident relocation, recruitment, and retention activities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Putney School has received a transformative $2 million endowment gift from alumna Carol Stein ’61 to establish the Norwood Hinkle Faculty Chair in Music, honoring the legendary educator who shaped the school’s music curriculum for more than three decades. The endowment will support the position of Director of Music, ensuring long-term stability for a program that has been central to Putney’s identity since its founding. Stein, who sang in madrigals and studied music history and harmony under Hinkle at Putney, established the chair in recognition of the profound influence he had on generations of students. Norwood Hinkle served as music director at The Putney School from 1939 to 1972.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined below 10 cases statewide as the winter flu season continues. Other indicators through wastewater analysis show an increase in COVID-19, Norovirus and especially RSV in Vermont and nationally. There are no recently reported measles cases in Vermont and the rate nationally is low.

Vermont Business Magazine The Windham Foundation, a nonprofit based in Grafton, VT that works to enhance Vermont's economic, cultural, and civic life, has announced its funding opportunities and new guidelines for its 2026 Grants Program. Similar to 2025, the Foundation will offer two grant cycles, Spring and Fall, with each cycle having two distinct mission-driven focus areas. New this year, the Spring cycle, with a deadline of March 15, 2026, at 5pm, will be open to nonprofits focused on (1) Economic Development; Workforce Development; and Job Readiness, and (2) Cultivation of Food; Food Security; Food Processing and Distribution; Healthy Forests and Streams; Conservation; Climate Change Adaptation.

Vermont Business Magazine The Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth at the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) recently awarded $35,166 in grants to support eight dynamic and innovative youth programs serving Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford. The VCF engaged community members who live and/or work with youth in these five towns as members of the review committee. In 2025, the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth aimed to support spaces, activities, and opportunities for youth to gather, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for December was 2.6%. This reflects no change from the prior month’s revised estimate. Vermont has the third-lowest rate in the nation behind a tie behind Hawaii and South Dakota (2.2%). California has the highest rate at 5.5%. The comparable United States rate in December was 4.4%, a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised November estimate.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: NBTB) reported net income and diluted earnings per share for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2025. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $55.5 million, or $1.06 per diluted common share, compared to $36.0 million, or $0.76 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $54.5 million, or $1.03 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2025. Operating diluted earnings per share(1), a non-GAAP measure, was $1.05 for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $0.77 for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $1.05 for the third quarter of 2025. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $169.2 million, or $3.33 per diluted common share, compared to $140.6 million, or $2.97 per diluted common share, in the prior year.