AGP Executive Report

AI & Energy Policy: President Trump says he’s exploring a federal equity stake in AI firms, framing it as a “partnership with the American people,” while Vermont lawmakers are pushing back on large-scale AI data centers after Gov. Scott’s veto of H.727 failed to clear an override. Vermont Agriculture & Food Systems: Vermont awarded $1 million in Farm to School grants, backing school gardens, outdoor classrooms, and local food connections; Smokey House Center in Danby won funding for a new berry alley cropping agroforestry system. Renewables & Local Power: Burlington Electric Department approved new hydro power purchase agreements, including Skelton Hydro output through 2026 and a 10-year deal for Connecticut generation. Workforce & Industry Growth: Vermont’s ski industry logged its strongest season in over a decade with 4.36 million skier visits; Forest Business Accelerator 2026 applications are due June 12. Fuel Watch: Gas prices keep cooling nationally, with Vermont diesel reported at its lowest in Addison County at $5.39/gal for the week ending May 30. Public Health & Safety: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weedkiller tied to Parkinson’s concerns, even as the practical impact is limited.

Vermont Data & AI Policy: Vermont lawmakers passed the Vermont Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act (S71), now awaiting Gov. Phil Scott’s signature; if signed, it takes effect Jan. 1, 2028, with low thresholds for when companies must comply. Energy & Infrastructure: Vermont’s Hourglass Project in Milton is moving into a new phase, with milling, pavement removal, and roadway foundation work expanding along Middle Road and Railroad Street, plus new access work near the Route 7 corridor. Legislative Turnover: Vermont’s House and Senate leadership is set for major change next year, with many top lawmakers and committee chairs not seeking reelection, setting up a reshuffle of who controls bill priorities. Food & Local Industry: Vermont Smoke & Cure announced new meat sticks made with Kraft Heinz brands A.1. and Lea & Perrins, rolling out nationwide at Kroger. Agriculture & Skills: The Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame named its 2026 inductees, including an emerging leader and an agricultural innovator, to be recognized at the Champlain Valley Fair. Workforce & Safety: A Vermont dairy labor report highlights farmworkers pushing for basic labor protections amid long hours and pay below minimum wage. Climate & Water: Barton’s culvert replacement project is set to move forward this summer after permits, aiming for stronger flood resilience and compliance with stream standards.

AI & Data Centers: Gov. Scott’s administration vetoed H.727, a bill meant to shield Vermonters from the financial and environmental fallout of future large-scale AI data centers, and lawmakers failed to override the veto. Construction & Transportation: Milton’s $6.8M Hourglass Project is moving into a new phase with milling, shoulder work, and prep for sidewalks and new traffic signals at Route 7 intersections. Aviation & Manufacturing: Beta Technologies showcased flights of its Alia A250 eVTOL and CX300 conventional aircraft during a Vermont demo push toward FAA certification. Clean Energy & Grid: DeltaClimeVT’s DeltaClimeVT energy accelerator picked four pilot projects totaling $110,000 to test grid reliability and expand EV charging access. Food & Farming: Vermont Smoke & Cure launched new A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks nationwide, while Smokey House Center added a Berry Alley Cropping system with a Farm to School grant. Labor & Agriculture: A report highlights dairy workers’ fight for basic labor protections, including low pay and long, unsafe shifts on Vermont farms. Housing & Youth Justice: Vermont plans a new 14-bed Green Mountain Youth Center in South Burlington to replace the closed Woodside Youth Rehabilitation Center, drawing criticism from the state’s youth advocate. Tourism & Recreation: Ski Vermont reported 4.36M skier visits for 2025-26, the best since 2014-15, as Vermont’s ski industry continues to invest in snowmaking and programming. Energy Prices: AAA says Vermont average gas is $4.43/g, down week over week but still above 2022 levels.

EV Market Watch: Vermont has topped 20,000 EVs on the road, with Drive Electric Vermont data pointing to rising interest as gas prices stay high and home charging discounts can bring “fuel” costs to about $1/gallon. Affordable Housing: Waterbury opened Marsh House Apartments in downtown, a 26-unit mixed-income project with supports for residents facing homelessness and for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Food & Beverage Industry: Vermont Smoke & Cure is teaming with Kraft Heinz’s A.1. and Lea & Perrins to launch new nationwide meat sticks, while the Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns June 27 with 75+ exhibitors at Hula on the waterfront. Banking: Beacon Bank earned a top Newsweek “Best Regional Banks” rating, highlighting its Vermont branch footprint. Energy & Policy: Vermont is among states suing the Trump administration over a $1 billion offshore wind cancellation deal tied to TotalEnergies, arguing it’s illegal and could raise energy costs. Aviation Innovation: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy flew on Beta Technologies’ electric aircraft during a Vermont visit, underscoring next-gen air mobility and charging buildout. Public Health & Safety: Kratom regulation is accelerating nationwide as poisonings rise, with Vermont readers likely to see more local debate over bans and controls. Workforce & Training: Community College of Vermont is set to graduate nearly 500 this weekend, with a commencement speaker focused on mission-driven impact.

Offshore Wind Legal Fight: New York AG Letitia James and a seven-state coalition including Vermont sued the Trump administration over a nearly $1 billion TotalEnergies deal that canceled offshore wind leases off New York and North Carolina, arguing it violates federal law and harms jobs, grids, and climate goals. Local Energy Planning: Vergennes residents are pushing back on a proposed battery storage facility, citing fire risk and pollution concerns ahead of a public hearing. Housing Push in Burlington: Burlington’s South End Coordinated Redevelopment Project cleared a key City Council step, with plans for hundreds of apartments on Lakeside Avenue and potential for over 1,000 homes long-term. Vermont Agriculture & Wildlife: Vermont Fish and Wildlife urged landowners to delay mowing until August to help grassland birds like bobolinks successfully raise young. EV Market Watch: New data says Vermont has nearly 21,000 EVs, with rising interest driven by higher gas prices and cheaper used EVs plus lower charging costs. Food & Manufacturing: Vermont Smoke & Cure launched new A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks nationwide, made with 100% premium beef slow-cooked in Vermont.

Vermont Agritourism Push: Vermont’s new “Seek and Savor” campaign is rolling out to spotlight farm stays, food experiences, and local businesses—aiming to bring more visitors back to the state’s working farms. Rural Workforce & Education: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Essex’s Center for Technology and Vermont State University’s Williston Campus, highlighting hands-on training in construction, health, and engineering as a talent pipeline for Vermont employers. EV Market Shift: New data shows Vermont’s EV count is up to nearly 21,000, with higher gas prices and cheaper used EVs plus discounted charging rates driving interest. Local Infrastructure & Housing: Brattleboro is set for a June 24 grand opening of a new Amtrak station with level boarding, while Milton planning commission applicants are debating growth pressures tied to the Hourglass project. Energy Policy Fight: Vermont is part of a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s offshore wind lease buyout deal with TotalEnergies, arguing it’s unlawful and threatens jobs and clean-energy goals. Public Health Monitoring: A proposed CDC wastewater surveillance funding cut has raised alarms as a new COVID “cicada” variant spreads. Food & Manufacturing: Vermont Smoke & Cure is launching nationwide A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks made in its Vermont smokehouse.

Rural Innovation: UVM’s Leahy Institute will host the RISE Summit on June 16, focusing on “Partnerships for Rural Prosperity,” with a keynote on “AI and the Future Rural Economy” and a big push for community-university collaboration. Energy & Jobs: Vermont is part of a seven-state lawsuit led by New York AG Letitia James challenging the Trump administration’s deal to pay TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion to cancel an offshore wind lease—states argue it’s unlawful and threatens clean-energy jobs and power for the region. Skilled Trades Pipeline: Vermont State University graduated 188 Level IV plumbers and electricians from registered apprenticeship programs with the Vermont Department of Labor, with 115 employer sponsors recognized. Local Business & Community: Southshire Community School’s Pastapoolza fundraiser drew local restaurant donations and bake-sale items to support student programs. Workforce/Infrastructure Watch: Green Mountain Transit and VTrans outlined upcoming public meetings and Exit 16 construction impacts on I-89, with lane closures and a full ramp closure window. Manufacturing/Industry Culture: Long Trail Brewing unveiled a 168-beer “Reallllly Long Trail Ale Pack” for National Trails Day, with $15,000 in donations to Vermont trail systems.

Rural Innovation & AI: UVM’s Leahy Institute is hosting the June 16 RISE Summit on “Partnerships for Rural Prosperity,” with a keynote panel on “AI and the Future Rural Economy,” aiming to connect community leaders, researchers, and policymakers. Local Business & Community Needs: Brandon residents used a town forum to push for a laundromat, with the Vermont Council on Rural Development helping turn priorities into an action plan. Healthcare Workforce: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation for the fourth straight time, reinforcing its push for nursing excellence. EV Costs: A new Insurify report finds EV insurance averages $3,159 a year—about $1,000 more than gas cars—potentially stretching EV payback. Education & Construction: Vermont lawmakers passed an education transformation bill (H.955) to reshape funding as enrollment declines, while Peacham voters moved to “future-proof” their school building by transferring ownership to the town for community use if districts merge. Agriculture & Food Systems: Kurn Hattin won a Farm to School and Early Childhood grant to launch a student-led garden and CSA. Aviation & Logistics: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited BETA in Vermont for an eVTOL flight as the FAA begins field testing for advanced air mobility. Dairy Update: USDA data shows the U.S. dairy herd is the largest since mid-1993, with April milk output up year over year. Property & Taxes: Essex Town and Essex Junction mailed new reappraisal values after a state-mandated update, with municipalities receiving $8.50 per parcel per year.

AI & Ownership Fight: Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing the American A.I. Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, calling for a one-time 50% stock transfer in major AI firms so the public—not just executives and investors—gets a stake. Privacy & Consumer Rights: Vermont passed an opt-out privacy bill (S.71) letting residents reject targeted ads and requiring consent for sensitive data processing, with enforcement led by the attorney general. Energy Costs: A new map shows electricity prices jumped sharply in parts of the U.S., with grid investment and rising demand (including from data centers) driving household costs higher. Aviation Innovation in Vermont: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy flew in an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft at BETA Technologies in Vermont, alongside a new FAA pilot program for advanced air mobility testing. Dairy Economy: USDA data says the U.S. dairy herd is at its largest level since mid-1993, with milk output continuing to run above last year. Construction & Schools: Vermont lawmakers removed a key hurdle for a new Mountain Views middle/high school in Woodstock, though state aid timing and other obstacles remain. Workforce/Building Efficiency: Efficiency Vermont’s Better Building by Design conference handed out “Best of the Best” awards, including a new workforce development category. Local Industry Disruption: Robbins Lumber resumed full operations at its Searsmont mill after a May explosion and fire.

Workforce & Training: Northwest Career & Technical Center’s Skilled Trades Signing Day (June 5) spotlights students signing letters of intent with Vermont employers in electrical, construction, cosmetology and engineering—an on-ramp for local hiring. Health Care & Jobs: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the fourth straight time, underscoring nursing excellence and retention. Cannabis Market: Lake Effect Vermont is moving to a new South Hero location (McGregor Building on Route 2) with a June 10 ribbon cutting, signaling continued growth in Vermont’s regulated cannabis retail. Energy & Environment: Vermont is investigating a solar array incident in Shaftsbury after high winds damaged panels, raising concerns about potential soil contamination. Policy & Industry: A new UVM study finds intensified ICE activity disrupted the childcare workforce, with centers cutting enrollment or closing—an economic hit that ripples into working families. Infrastructure & Logistics: Vermont’s June 1 roadwork report flags paving and bridge rehab across I-89 and state routes, with lane closures and speed limits affecting daily commutes.

Health Care Workforce & Credentials: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation again, reinforcing its push for top-tier nursing practice. Childcare & Immigration Enforcement: A new UVM-led study finds intensified ICE activity between 2023 and 2025 reduced capacity in the formal childcare sector, hitting immigrant women’s employment and families’ access. Veterinary Workforce Pipeline: Vermont’s Agency of Education added the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association’s Certified Veterinary Assistant credential to the state’s Industry-Recognized Credentials list, strengthening career pathways. Cannabis Policy Watch: Vermont businesses are still waiting on clearer federal guidance after DOJ’s medical marijuana rescheduling; the gap between federal and state rules remains a major operational headache. Local Business Expansion: Lake Effect Vermont is moving to a new South Hero location in the McGregor Building, with a June 10 grand opening. Construction & Roads: Vermont Business Magazine posted the June 1 roadwork schedule, including I-89 paving and bridge rehabilitation impacts, plus state highway resurfacing and shoulder repairs. Agriculture & Chemical Safety: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, with a phased approach for certain crops and funding for alternatives research. Energy & Environmental Risk: Vermont regulators are looking into soil impacts after wind damage left broken solar panels in Shaftsbury, raising contamination concerns.

Education & Tax Policy: Vermont lawmakers passed landmark education reform, keeping mergers voluntary and setting up regional resource-sharing, with a new funding formula and property tax changes for second homes tied to conditions. Cannabis Market: Lake Effect Vermont is moving to a new permanent site in South Hero, opening June 10 at the McGregor Building and aiming to boost the local business district. Agriculture & Health: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weed killer linked to Parkinson’s risk, with a limited orchard/berry permit window and funding for alternatives. Energy & Solar Oversight: Vermont is probing a solar array after broken panels raised concerns about potential lead and silver contamination, including possible soil testing. Infrastructure & Construction: A weekly roundup details major highway work starting June 1, including I-89 paving and bridge rehabilitation, plus local road closures and detours. Workforce & Economy: New research says intensified ICE enforcement reshaped the childcare workforce, reducing capacity and hitting immigrant women’s employment, with knock-on effects for families. Business & Healthcare Recognition: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation again, reinforcing its nursing excellence credentials.

Education & Local Governance: Vermont lawmakers passed landmark education reform, keeping the focus on voluntary school district mergers plus regional resource-sharing, with H.955 and H.949 headed to Gov. Phil Scott for signature. Higher Ed Funding: The state budget cleared after overtime, including $12 million for a UVM athletic complex, with conditions tied to fundraising and a construction deadline. Consumer Data Privacy: Vermont’s comprehensive consumer data privacy bill is poised for signing despite doubts from advocates. Energy & Grid Tech: Texture, a utility software firm, secured $12.5M to help co-ops and utilities manage transformer load and avoid outages, with Vermont Electric Cooperative cited as an early adopter. Cannabis Market: Vermont lawmakers approved modest changes to the retail cannabis marketplace, scaling back direct-to-consumer delivery for small growers. Public Health & Workforce: UVM research finds ICE enforcement changes reshaped the childcare workforce, pushing centers to cut enrollment or close—raising stakes for working families. Agriculture Policy: Gov. Phil Scott signed Vermont’s first-in-the-nation ban on paraquat, a Parkinson’s-linked herbicide, with regulated timelines for remaining uses. Construction Impacts: A new weekly traffic-work schedule outlines paving and bridge rehab across I-89 and key state routes starting June 1.

Healthcare & Workforce: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation for the fourth straight time, highlighting continued nursing excellence. Education & Skills Pipeline: Stafford Technical Center recognized nearly 80 graduates at its awards ceremony, underscoring career readiness in trades and public safety. Housing & Construction: Bennington’s Cora B. Whitney Senior Living Facility is set for a major rehab this fall—about $13.2 million to renovate the historic school-turned-apartments, with a second historic project in Brandon. Cannabis Market: Vermont lawmakers approved scaled-back changes to the retail cannabis marketplace, including higher purchase limits but dropping a pilot for direct grower-to-consumer delivery. Privacy & Consumer Tech: Consumer Reports criticized Vermont’s newly passed comprehensive privacy bill as too industry-friendly, with weak definitions and enforcement. Tourism & Accessibility: The Vermont Department of Tourism outlined a plan to boost visitation while improving accessibility and managing local “pain points.” Agriculture & Community: The Vermont Dairy Festival returns June 4–7 for its 70th year in Enosburg Falls. Energy & Business Risk: Clean Energy Technologies received a Nasdaq notice of deficiency tied to its delayed 10-Q filing, with potential delisting risk if compliance isn’t regained. Local Economy: Stewart’s Shops announced a $55M expansion across upstate New York and Vermont, including store rebuilds and growth in its Greenfield production kitchen.

Public Health & Agriculture: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weed-killing herbicide linked to Parkinson’s risk, with a phaseout starting Nov. 1 and exemptions for some fruit growers that still require stopping use by 2030. Workforce & Industry: Weidmann Electrical Technology completed a St. Johnsbury expansion expected to add about 60 jobs, supported by a $15M tax credit. Healthcare: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation for the fourth straight time, highlighting nursing excellence. Education & Community: Vermont lawmakers advanced education reform toward a voluntary school district merger path, replacing mandatory consolidation. Digital & Consumer Policy: Vermont’s AG Jay Jones joined opposition to the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state authority over children’s online protections. Energy & Environment: Shaftsbury is investigating a solar array after wind damage and a small fire, with state and resident scrutiny rising. Housing & Finance: State Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced he’s running for a third term, pitching affordability priorities including “baby bonds.”

Solar & Grid Safety: Shaftsbury residents and state agencies are asking questions after wind damage and a small fire at a 2.2 MW solar installation, with filings saying panels were knocked down in October 2025 and again in March and the site was disconnected after the April fire. Manufacturing Jobs: Weidmann Electrical Technology says a $40M St. Johnsbury expansion will add about 60 jobs, supported by a $15M tax credit. Public Health & Agriculture: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat statewide, with a phase-out starting Nov. 1 and fruit-farm exemptions ending by 2030. Health Care Costs: Vermont lawmakers advanced a bill to speed reference-based pricing to help lower hospital costs and premiums, now headed to Gov. Phil Scott. Lake Recreation Rules: Wake surfing is banned on Lake Fairlee under new state rules, effective June 11. Housing Costs: A proposal to cap rental application fees at $5 per applicant is gaining attention as renters face rising upfront costs. Workforce & Education: Vermont’s education reform bill moves through a committee of conference after Senate passage, aiming for voluntary district mergers. Tech Policy: FCC deadlines include foreign sponsorship ID compliance and annual EEO public file reports due June 1.