Business Briefs for Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 | Local News

BARRE — Wilkins Harley-Davidson celebrated the finale of a year filled with more than 40 customer events, by giving away a brand-new 2025 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. Riders earned entries into the drawing by RSVPing and attending Wilkins events throughout the year.

During the giveaway event, Wilkins also recognized its Ride Challenge participants, who collectively logged more than 800,000 miles in 2025, placing fourth in the U.S. for mileage participation. Founded in 1947, Wilkins Harley-Davidson is Vermont’s only Harley-Davidson dealership.

BENNINGTON — The Bank of Bennington announced it has donated $50,000 to food shelves and assistance programs throughout Bennington and Rutland counties, helping ensure individuals and families have access to nutritious food as winter approaches.

RUTLAND — Best Western Rutland is offering guest rooms free of charge Christmas Eve and Christmas night, Friday-Sunday, Dec. 24-26, to the families of patients hospitalized at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Families may stay for one or two nights. Best Western Rutland is at 5 Best Western Place, Rutland.

To arrange for these complimentary guest rooms, relatives of Rutland Regional Medical Center patients are asked to contact Mary Fran Skaza at the hospital’s administrative office at 802-747-6221. Rooms are based on availability.

BARRE — Presented by EastRise, Capstone Community Action’s annual Fuel Your Neighbors campaign will begin on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2. The 100-day campaign raises funds for Capstone’s emergency food and heating assistance programs for central Vermonters. To donate, visit Fuel Your Neighbors.org online.

Supporting business sponsors include EastRise, Vermont Blue Advantage, The Alchemist, Hunger Mountain Co-op, Mascoma Bank, M&T Bank, National Life Group, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Acrisure, Ivy Computer, and Union Mutual.

RUTLAND — In the past few weeks, more than 60 of Vermont’s health care leaders gathered centrally at Rutland Regional Medical Center for the Healthcare Leaders Workforce Summit, a working session to design employer-led education pathways for more Vermonters to enter health care careers without leaving the state.

Across Vermont, hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health and home health providers face critical staffing shortages in essential health care occupations. When vacancies go unfilled, employers rely on contracted “traveler” staff, often costing up to two-and-a-half times more than a full-time employee with benefits.

Looking ahead, employers outlined a vision for a statewide hub that will coordinate shared resources for simulation labs, clinical practice space, faculty sharing, with a common clinical education platform, while also serving as a communication center connecting Vermonters with health care career opportunities.

NORWICH — King Arthur Baking Co. was voted tops in Vermont, and #24 nationally, among most ethical businesses. To find out which brands people trust most on an ethical level, MarketBeat, a financial media company, surveyed 3,012 respondents nationwide, revealing a moral map of corporate America.

Kinney Drugs has opened both walk-ins and appointments for a second dose of seasonal COVID-19 vaccine for eligible individuals, meaning those aged 65 and older and those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receive a second dose of seasonal COVID-19 vaccine two to six months after their last dose. Patients in one or both groups who were vaccinated against COVID in September may now receive a second dose. The COVID-19 vaccine can be co-administered with all other approved vaccines, including influenza, pneumonia and RSV.

CENTRAL VERMONT — MDVIP has partnered with two family physicians in central Vermont, Brian Rodriguez, M.D., and John A. Wilson, M.D., to launch MDVIP primary care in Montpelier and the Mad River Valley, respectively.

Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Wilson have each opened an MDVIP-affiliated practice, to dedicate more time to each patient and provide proactive care, utilizing advanced screenings and diagnostic tests, as well as same-day or next-day appointments and 24/7 physician availability via phone.

The company’s name is a combination of “MD” for medical doctor and “VIP” for very important person, to emphasize personalized health care services.

BERLIN — Presented by the National Life Group, the 24th annual Pack The Pantry Food & Funds Drive will conclude Nov. 22 at Market 32 by Price Chopper in Berlin, to support the Central Vermont Salvation Army Emergency Food Shelf and local families in need.

Corporate partners are The National Life Group, Market 32 by Price Chopper, Bellavance Trucking, Blue Compass RV, Preston’s Kia, Wilkins Harley-Davidson, Harrington’s Food and Fuels, rk Miles, Maria’s Bagels, Sunbelt Rentals, Applebee’s, Worksafe TCI, Gustos, Accura Printing, Beavins and Sons and Yipes of Barre, T-Mobile, media support by Vox Digital, Vox Am & FM and Star 92.9.

EAST MIDDLEBURY — Otter Creek Engineering, a civil and environmental engineering firm, has announced a leadership transition. Jason Larocque, one of the company’s original founders and president since 2017, has stepped down from the role. Brent F. Rakowski has been appointed to the position, effective immediately. Rakowski, with OCE for more than 20 years, has played a central role in managing site development and infrastructure projects.

Founded in 1998, Otter Creek Engineering is headquartered in East Middlebury, with an additional office in Rutland. The firm was named Best Engineering Firm by Vermont Business Magazine (2025) and awarded Business of the Year (2023) by Addison County Chamber of Commerce.

POULTNEY — Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Holiday Tour on Small Business weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29 and 30, features sales, giveaways and family-friendly activities at over 20 local businesses.

Highlights include the annual Christmas Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Poultney High School; “Last Call” Community Closings from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Poultney American Legion for family festivities and Sunday at Analog Cycles for music and treats. The Small Business Loyalty Shopping Card offers shoppers a chance to win a $150 gift certificate drawing.

SOUTH HERO — Sunset Lake CBD, a farmer-owned Vermont hemp company, announced a $5,000 donation to Vermont Foodbank, supporting its mission to ensure every Vermonter has access to nourishing food. This $5,000 donation will help provide over $20,000 worth of food to Vermonters.

SOUTH ROYALTON — Vermont Law and Graduate School announced a partnership with New Hampshire Municipal Association to provide municipal officials and staff with professional development programming, such as webinars and workshops. Members will also receive discounted tuition for VLGS juris doctor and master’s degree programs.

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