On May 14, 2025
Local News

Vermont Secretary of State visits Rutland businesses as part of statewide listening tour

Submitted Brothers Carpentry –Left to right: Steven (Apprentice), James (Owner), Homeowners Bart and Barbara Kirk, Sarah Copeland Hanzas, and Jacob (Owner).

Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas visited four local businesses in Rutland on May 9 as part of an ongoing statewide listening tour to gather feedback from small business owners following recent upgrades to the Secretary of State’s online business filing system. The tour reflects her office’s effort to streamline processes and strengthen support for Vermont’s business community.

The Rutland visits included Brothers Carpentry and Renovations, Village Snack Bar, Kaleidoscope Art Supply, and Miss Jackie’s Studio of Dance. Two businesses were newly established within the past year, while the other two were longtime operations that had recently registered new LLCs.  Copeland Hanzas met with owners and staff to hear about their experiences registering with the state, challenges they’ve faced, and ideas for improving access to state services.

“Each of these businesses emphasized their commitment to Rutland and the support they’ve experienced in the community here,” said Copeland Hanzas. “We were able to discuss not only my office’s business services division, but also some of our other points of contact, such as the Office of Professional Regulation. Small businesses like those we visited today bring immense value to our state, and when it comes to my office and our state government, we’re working to make sure they find support, and not barriers.”

The listening tour will continue across the state.

For more information, visit: sos.vermont.gov.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Killington Resort announces staff promotions, management additions 

June 4, 2025
Josh Reed  Josh Reed has moved into the role of communications manager. Reed has been part of the Killington team since 2021, most recently serving as a ticket and reservation supervisor, where he was recognized for his thoughtful leadership and commitment to the mountain. Reed has over 20 years of sales and marketing leadership experience…

CEDRR receives $2,500 Smart Growth Award

June 4, 2025
The Vermont Natural Resources Council announced the latest grant recipients for the Small Grants for Smart Growth program, May 27. Grantee selections are made on a rolling basis. The committee chose the Bridport Housing Task Force, the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR), and the South Burlington Energy Committee to be awarded a combined $6,750 in the most recent…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermont celebrates 50 years of mentorship and community impact

June 4, 2025
2025 marks a significant milestone for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermont (BBBSVT), which is celebrating 50 years of empowering youth through meaningful, one-on-one mentoring relationships across the Green Mountain State. Founded in 1975 through Youth Services, BBBSVT has matched thousands of “Littles” with caring adult “Bigs,” fostering relationships that help young people realize their…

Motorized forage harvester falls into Hartland gorge

June 4, 2025
By Curt Peterson A convoy of haying equipment and workers started out from Braintree on Monday, May 26, to harvest 47 acres across from Harpoon Brewery for landowner John McGrail of Shepherds Brook Farms. Their journey was cut short when a 20-foot tall, 27-ton self-propelled John Deere forage harvesting machine, avoiding collision with an oncoming…