AGP Executive Report

Fourth of July in Milton: The town’s big July 4 celebration returns with a Grand Parade (11 a.m.), then fireworks and live bands at Bombardier Park West (5–10 p.m.), with “Celebrating 250!” as the theme. New Trails for Summer: Vermont Land Trust and local trail groups are opening fresh routes for birders, hikers, and mountain bikers, including an accessible loop at Pratt Refuge in Duxbury and the Heart of the Greens Loop for riders. Green Mountain Power Court Win: Vermont’s top court backed Green Mountain Power in a lawsuit over a child’s severe burns after entering a locked substation area in Springfield. State Park Fees Update: Vermont officials want easier changes to state park pricing, moving toward more frequent updates with 90-day notice—critics worry about higher costs for visitors. Outdoor & Wildlife Notes: Loons are nesting again on Caspian Lake, and a new report highlights Vermont’s ongoing recovery in loon numbers. Community College News: CCV says tuition will stay flat for 2027/28 at $290 per credit for in-state students. Red Cross Blood Drive Call: The American Red Cross is urging Vermont-area donors to book appointments as summer travel threatens supply.

Vermont Tourism Honors: von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort in Stowe earned a spot on Historic Hotels of America’s “Most Magnificent Gardens” list, with its alpine-inspired grounds and historic family-designed landscapes drawing national attention. More Vermont Garden News: Historic Hotels of America also recognized Castle Hill Resort & Spa in Cavendish, putting two Green Mountain destinations on the same national bloom list. Outdoors for Families: Machia Wilderness Camp in Milton is leaning hard into screen-free learning—campfire cooking, track identification, and archery—aimed at reconnecting kids with nature. Local History for Visitors: Salisbury unveiled a new roadside marker honoring Ann Story, the “Mother of the Green Mountain Boys,” adding another stop for Revolutionary War–era travelers. Maple Season Spotlight: Burke Mountain Maple Company in East Burke shared how its wood-fired, family-run operation keeps Vermont’s summer maple traditions alive. Travel Safety Watch: New England immigration advocates issued a World Cup travel advisory warning international visitors about possible device searches and stricter enforcement at ports of entry.

Historic Lodging & Gardens: von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort in Stowe earned Historic Hotels of America’s Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens nod, joining Castle Hill Resort & Spa in Cavendish for their historic, family-rooted landscapes. Local History Marker: Salisbury unveiled a new roadside marker honoring Ann Story—“Mother of the Green Mountain Boys”—with a ceremony at her cabin site and a play recounting her Revolutionary War role. Outdoor Youth Camp: Machia Wilderness Camp in Milton is drawing families with screen-free, hands-on nature learning—campfire cooking, track ID, and archery—built around founder Larry Machia’s mission to reconnect kids with the outdoors. Public Lands Access & Costs: Vermont is weighing higher fees and more gradual price hikes for state parks and federal forest recreation access as agencies face rising maintenance costs and demand. Health & Travel Safety: U.S. measles cases are on pace to surpass the 2025 high, with most cases tied to unvaccinated people—an important reminder for travelers and families planning summer outings. Community Support: The Vermont Bar Foundation announced its largest annual grant investment yet for FY27, backing organizations expanding access to justice statewide. Electric Aviation Watch: Burlington-based Beta Technologies is ramping up production for its electric Alia aircraft, a sign Vermont’s tourism-and-travel story may soon include new aviation innovation.

Vermont Tourism: Vermont tourism is still feeling the pinch from a Canadian boycott that’s been going on for more than a year, with businesses saying there’s little sign of it easing—though some visitors are trickling back to places like Plattsburgh. Winter Sports Spotlight: Vermont’s offseason is getting a boost with a live Sports Rapport debrief featuring Olympians Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Ben Ogden and Julia Kern, plus rapid-fire Vermont favorites. Outdoor & Hiking: Merck Forest & Farmland Center in Rupert is gearing up for its Oct. 3 Hike-a-thon across 3,644 acres, with routes from a 1.5-mile family loop to a 6.9-mile ridge traverse and an end-of-day celebration. Road & Safety: Vermont State Police reported a one-car crash on Route 9 in Woodford after a driver briefly fell asleep, and a separate fatal horse collision on Willoughby Lake Road in Brownington. Local Travel Planning: Smugglers Notch is set to get tougher on oversized vehicles, with steep fine increases starting July 1 for trucks that illegally pass through the mountain pass. Travel Costs: Gas prices remain a concern for road trips, with Vermont averages still elevated compared with last year.

Outdoor & Tourism: AllTrails just dropped its 2026 “Travel-Worthy Trails” list, spotlighting eight bucket-list hikes across three continents—plus a broader trend toward inn-to-inn walking routes that includes Vermont-style scenic trail travel. Nature Events: Merck Forest & Farmland Center’s Merck Forest Hike-a-thon is set for Oct. 3 in Rupert, with four route options (1.5 miles to 6.9 miles) and trails open to the public on event day. Ski Economy: Ski Vermont says the 2025-26 season drew over 4 million skier visits—its highest in 11 years—helped by consistent cold and natural snow. Road & Safety: Vermont State Police reported a fatal one-car crash on Route 5A in Brownington involving a horse, plus other Route 9 and Route 105 crash updates. Travel Costs: GasBuddy data shows Addison County’s lowest regular price hit $4.29 (week ending May 30), while premium and midgrade prices also eased. Local Planning: North Bennington area roadwork includes lane reductions and a Depot St. bridge closure expected to last through mid-July. Policy Watch: A veto fight over Vermont data-center rules is back in the spotlight, with critics warning of higher bills and environmental impacts.

Data Center Fight: Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott vetoed H.727, a bill meant to curb the impacts of large AI data centers on electric bills and the environment; lawmakers tried to override, but the vote fell short. Road & Travel Disruptions: Expect ongoing construction delays around North Bennington and Route 7/9 areas, plus a Depot St. bridge closure lasting through mid-July at minimum. Outdoor & Wildlife: A horse was euthanized after a car crash on VT Route 5A in Brownington when animals broke from a fence. Ski Tourism: Ski Vermont reports one of the best seasons in years—over 4 million skier visits and nearly 200 inches of snowfall. Local Fuel Watch: Addison County’s lowest regular gas hit $4.29 (week ending May 30), with statewide regular averaging $4.51. Lake Champlain Mystery: New footage claims to show “Champ,” the lake monster, moving behind a boat—another twist in the Nessie-style legend. Agritourism Push: Vermont launches “Seek & Savor,” a statewide campaign to spotlight farm stays, food producers, and visitor experiences through fall 2027.

Data Center Fight: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed H.727, a bill meant to curb the financial and environmental fallout from large AI data centers; lawmakers tried to override the veto on the final day but fell short 83-52. Road & Bridge Updates: Expect major delays around North Bennington and Route 7/9 areas, plus a Depot St. bridge closure lasting through mid-July at minimum. Gas Watch: Addison County’s lowest regular gas hit $4.29 (week ending May 30), with midgrade lowest at $4.89; statewide averages eased slightly. Ski Tourism Boost: Ski Vermont reports one of its best seasons in years—over 4 million skier visits and record participation, fueled by strong early snow. Lake Champlain Mystery: Filmmakers say new footage behind a boat may be the strongest “Champ” proof yet in the long-running Nessie-style legend. Local Nature & Travel: A Vermont agritourism push is underway with “Seek & Savor,” expanding farm experiences and content on VermontVacation.com through fall 2027. Northern Lights: Alerts and viewing tips are circulating for tonight and the next few nights across New England, including Vermont.

Ski Tourism Boom: Ski Vermont reports a banner 2025-26 season with over 4 million skier visits—up 4.7% from last year—helped by early snow, consistent cold, and big holiday storms. Aviation & Travel Tech: Vermont-based Beta Technologies says its all-electric Alia CX300 could reshape short regional travel, with cargo flights expected later this year and certification targeted for late 2027. Agri-Tourism Push: The Vermont Agency of Agriculture launches “Seek & Savor,” a statewide agritourism marketing campaign running through fall 2027, with expanded trip ideas on VermontVacation.com. Family-Friendly Outdoor Learning: Smokey House Center in Danby received a Farm to School grant to install a new Berry Alley Cropping system, bringing 300+ students from 14 schools to its campus. Road & Safety Notes: A Derby-area crash on VT Route 5A involved a car and a horse; no human injuries were reported, but the horse was euthanized. School Commute Disruption: A GM school bus ran into a ditch on Route 103 near Proctorsville/Gulf area; 14 students were evaluated, with one transported as a precaution. Local Public Service Career: Otter Valley Union High School’s work-based learning coordinator Kris Roberts retires after 27 years.

Vermont Ski Boom: Vermont logged a banner ski season with over 4 million visitors, beating the national trend as early snow and big holiday storms kept slopes busy. Outdoor & Nature Learning: Smokey House Center in Danby won a Farm to School grant to install a new Berry Alley Cropping system, bringing hundreds of students into agroforestry hands-on learning. Forest Business Push: The Forest Business Accelerator 2026 is taking applications from startups and seed-stage teams working with forest byproducts and wood-based tech, with a June 12 deadline. Community Garden Growth: Franklin County residents are expanding community gardens in places like St. Albans, Swanton, Enosburgh, Fairfax, and Montgomery—growing food and connections. Energy Costs Watch: A new map shows Vermont’s residential electricity price at about 24¢/kWh, up 7.7% year over year. Public Health & Travel: Measles cases in the U.S. topped 2,000 for the second straight year, with most cases among people unvaccinated or with unknown vaccine status. Policy Signal for Travelers: Vermont’s paraquat ban is now in place, a first-in-the-nation move tied to Parkinson’s concerns.

Weekend Events (Franklin County): Enosburg Falls’ Vermont Dairy Festival runs through Sunday, June 7, with rides, bingo, baking contests and the Milk Run. Outdoor & Family Fun: Burke Mountain’s Bike Park opens Saturday, June 6 (weekends at first), and St. Albans’ Northwest Farmers Market returns every Saturday. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA issued a Strong Geomagnetic Storm (G3) watch for tonight and tomorrow; Vermont could see auroras, but clouds may block views. Travel Safety Advisory: New England immigrant advocacy groups warn World Cup visitors about possible entry denial, arrest/deportation, device searches, and aggressive enforcement. Health & Outdoors Prep: Vermont tick season is here—protect, check, remove, watch. Local Culture & Community: Habitat for Aviation in Swanton is building an airplane and boosting women in trades. Vermont Land Trust Awards: Nine students received Land Steward Awards for farming and forestry. Housing/Youth Justice: Vermont plans a new locked youth facility in South Burlington to replace Woodside Youth Rehabilitation Center.

Northern Lights Watch: NOAA issued a Strong Geomagnetic Storm (G3) watch for tonight, with a chance the aurora could dip into Vermont—though clouds may spoil the view; best viewing is typically late evening into the early hours. World Cup Travel Advisory: New England immigrant advocacy groups, working with Vermont partners, warned World Cup visitors about possible rights violations, including detention, aggressive screening, and racial profiling. Juvenile Justice Facility Plan: Vermont announced a proposed 14-bed Green Mountain Youth Center in South Burlington to replace the closed Woodside Youth Rehabilitation Center, with critics saying it’s still a detention facility. Housing Pressure in the NEK: A new report highlights how low vacancy and high waitlists are squeezing year-round residents in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Ski Season Numbers: Ski Vermont says the 2025-26 season delivered 4.36M skier visits—best since 2014-15—plus continued improvements at Vermont resorts. Burke Bike Park Opens: Burke Mountain Resort’s mountain bike season starts Saturday, June 6, with expanded hours later in June and major trail work planned for 2026. Tick Season Tips: Tick bites and ER visits are rising, and Vermont readers are urged to keep yards trimmed and pets treated to reduce risk.

Mountain Biking in Vermont: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up to open its Bike Park for the 2026 season on Saturday, June 6, with weekend-only hours at first and expanded Thursday–Sunday operations starting June 18; the park touts 24 trails across 25 miles, direct access to the Kingdom Trail network, and major 2026 upgrades including a rebuild of Jester and new/renewed connections with Kingdom Trails. Electric Vehicles & Costs: Vermont has nearly 21,000 EVs on the road, up 12% year over year, as higher gas prices and cheaper used EVs (plus discounted home charging) make switching more affordable—drivers are seeing EV fuel costs around $1.75/gallon equivalent. Lake Rules for Wake Boats: Vermont’s already-strict wake boat regulations tighten mid-June, limiting operations to special zones on 20 lakes/ponds and requiring wake boats to stay 500 feet from other boats and recreation users. State Parks Pricing: Vermont is seeking more flexible, popularity-based pricing for state park access, with no fee hike proposed right now but potential future changes tied to demand and location. Northern Lights Alert: A strong geomagnetic storm could push auroras as far south as 23 states on June 4–5, giving Vermonters a shot at seeing the sky show. Youth Facility Plan: Vermont officials unveiled a proposed 14-bed juvenile stabilization and treatment facility in South Burlington, aiming to fill a gap left after Woodside closed in 2020. Loons & Boating Etiquette: Vermont Fish and Wildlife is urging boaters and anglers to keep a safe distance from nesting loons and avoid entanglement risks by bringing fishing line home. EV Air Travel Buzz: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy flew in Beta Technologies’ electric eVTOL aircraft in Burlington, highlighting next-gen air mobility and charging infrastructure. Summer Reading Picks: Local libraries and readers get a boost with fresh summer reading lists spanning mystery/thriller, romance, and more.

Mountain Biking Season at Burke: Burke Mountain Resort’s bike park opens Saturday, June 6, with weekend-only hours at first, then expanded Thursday–Sunday operation starting June 18. New for 2026 includes trail upgrades and a major rebuild of Jester, plus improved connections into the Kingdom Trail network. Wildlife Safety on Vermont Lakes: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is urging boaters and anglers to keep distance from nesting loons and chicks, and to bring all fishing line home to prevent entanglements. EV Interest Rising in Vermont: New data shows Vermont has nearly 21,000 EVs, up 12% year over year, as higher gas prices and cheaper used EVs make switching more affordable. Forest Service Reorg Concerns: Sen. Peter Welch pressed the Forest Service chief over a reorganization plan that could weaken local forest management, warning that “to save a dollar, you may lose a forest.” Weekend Planning for Families: Vermont’s Seek & Savor agritourism push continues, and there’s also a Smithsonian “Spark! Places of Innovation” traveling exhibit starting in Bellows Falls, plus more local summer events. Loons, Trails, and Tourism Tips: If you’re heading out this week, plan around wildlife viewing distances and look for new visitor-friendly stops like the Birchwood garden opening June 12–18 in Montgomery.

Mountain Biking: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for the opening of its Bike Park on Saturday, June 6, with weekend-only hours at first and expanded Thursday–Sunday operations starting June 18; the 2026 season adds a Gravity Logic master plan, a major rebuild of the jump trail Jester, and improved connections with Kingdom Trails. Agritourism: Vermont’s new “Seek and Savor” campaign is rolling out to spotlight farm and food experiences across the state, aiming to bring more visitors to local producers and partners. Rural Innovation Exhibit: “Spark! Places of Innovation,” a Smithsonian traveling exhibit, is set to begin in Bellows Falls (June–July) before stops in Barnet and Swanton later this year. Electric Rates: Swanton Village Electric Department is raising rates by more than 30% after damage to the Highgate Dam bladder reduced power production. Wildlife & Forests: Conservation groups and state partners are building wildlife passage and conservation networks to help species move as climate change reshapes habitats. Public Safety/Travel: An Amtrak train struck and killed a person in Claremont, NH, with the Vermont-bound route continuing after the incident. Outdoor Health: The American Heart Association is urging Vermonters to learn CPR and check for destination emergency response plans ahead of summer travel.

Mountain Biking Season: Burke Mountain Resort’s Bike Park opens Saturday, June 6, with weekend-only hours at first, then Thursday–Sunday starting June 18; the resort touts 24 trails across 25 miles, direct access to the Kingdom Trail network, and 2026 upgrades including a major rebuild of “Jester” and new/renewed connections with Kingdom Trails. Wildlife Corridors: Vermont and partners are working to protect shrinking forest migration routes as climate change pushes species north, with conservation groups pointing to habitat fragmentation and the ongoing land-use debate after Act 181’s conservation measures were delayed. Flood Resilience Funding: Ludlow approved CRDMP grants that helped two local families floodproof and elevate homes after the 2023 disaster. Road & Travel Disruptions: Brattleboro warns of daytime congestion on Route 9 during a major paving project, while VTrans/Green Mountain Transit also flag upcoming Exit 16 work and a GMT public meeting on June 5. Local Tourism Fun: The VT Creemee Passport launches this summer with 163 participating stands and a $10 passport that earns stamps (and supports small businesses and good causes). Health Access: Copley Hospital in Morrisville now offers contrast-enhanced mammography to help people with dense breast tissue get clearer screening without traveling far. Outdoor Tech Spotlight: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy flew in an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft at BETA Technologies in Vermont, highlighting a new field-testing pilot for advanced air mobility.

Mountain Biking: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for bike park season with opening day Saturday, June 6, plus new 2026 upgrades like a Jester jump-trail rebuild and trail connections back to the Kingdom Trail network. State Leadership & Travel Impact: Gov. Phil Scott’s “Capital for a Day” tour hits Rutland County on Friday, June 5, with a cabinet meeting at Killington and stops tied to local priorities like wastewater and public safety. Outdoor Safety: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is urging boaters and anglers to keep a safe distance from nesting loons this summer, and to bring fishing line home to prevent entanglements. Weather Watch: Vermont’s spring brought extreme swings, including the state’s first April tornado, and now meteorologists are looking ahead to what summer may bring. Health & Outdoors: Tick bites are spiking, with ER visits at their highest for this time of year since 2017—another reminder to check for ticks after hiking and time outside. Transit & Access: Closed river bridges between Hinsdale and Brattleboro will stay gated for at least three more years, affecting bikers and pedestrians. Local Events: The 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Vermont runs through June 5, ending with ceremonies at Saint Michael’s College.