Darci Benoit, co-chair Swanton Chamber of Commerce and owner of Bees on Broadway; Arleigh Young, Planning & Development Coordinator, City of St. Albans. Photo by Katie Kittell.
Challenges, successes, and what makes one of Vermont’s northernmost counties unique
by Joy Choquette, Vermont Business Magazine
Northwestern Vermont is a unique and beautiful spot to visit or live. Whether outdoor enthusiasts’ intent on mountain biking, foodies drawn to the “Eat Local” movement, or individuals from urban areas looking for a quieter, slower pace of life, Franklin County draws people from many walks of life.
But is it also a good place to do business? If so, which businesses are currently thriving and which industries are suffering? And what should would-be business owners know about setting up shop in this part of the state?
The Uniqueness of Franklin County
With a long history in agriculture, many in the area still make their livelihood on farms. Whereas these used to be nearly exclusively dairy farms, there is now a larger diversity in agricultural ventures. The production of maple syrup and maple products continues to be strong. Other specialty crops—such as apples, nuts, vegetables, flowers, and more—are also growing in popularity.
That’s not to say that the dairy industry isn’t still an important staple in Vermont.
Recent statistics show that there’s been an increase in sales in this industry. An article in the May issue of VermontBiz indicates that 52 percent of Vermont farmland is still dedicated to dairy cows and crops. Vermont’s dairy industry has grown from $2.6 billion a decade ago to $5.4 billion today.
In Franklin County, cows still dot the landscape, and plenty of acreage is dedicated to feeding them. Processing much of that milk takes place at the St. Albans Creamery located on Federal Street in St. Albans City. The Creamery recently paid a civil penalty of $210,500 for alleged violations that included discharging raw milk and cream into the wastewater treatment facility in the area, among others.
The Creamery, which employs 85 people, has a strong presence in the community, but isn’t the largest employer in the area. That title goes to Northwestern Medical Center (NMC), the county’s hospital located in St. Albans City, which employs 661.
Photo: Northwestern Medical Center is Franklin County’s largest employer. Photo: Katie Kittell.
Perrigo Nutritionals, a manufacturer in Georgia, slated to close its doors in 2027, employs 420. Mylan Technologies Incorporated, a Viatris Company, also located in St. Albans City, employs approximately 400.
In more rural parts of the county, West Rock in Sheldon Springs employs 150, while Plumrose USA Inc., in Swanton, has approximately 60 employees. The Tyler Place Family Resort employs 30 at its location in Highgate Springs.
Dairy jobs, manufacturing, and healthcare employers in the area, along with a plethora of other businesses, require employees. But what’s most likely to draw employees to this county over others in the state?
Robert Foley, team leader of Flat Fee Real Estate, stated that this area of the state has a lot to offer prospective buyers.
“Franklin County is unique in that it has the amenities of other places in Northwestern Vermont, such as a city center in Saint Albans, Lake Champlain waterfront, lakefront biking, parks, shops, restaurants, and more.”
Foley noted that in addition, it’s also easier to visit Quebec, Montreal, and the other tourist hot spots in Canada.
“Also, for the towns along I-89, it is an easier commute to the Burlington area than even places like Essex, Hinesburg, or Jericho are.”
Perrigo announced in March that it intends to close the long-standing infant formula manufacturing facility in Georgia by 2027. It cited regulatory requirements and the cost of updating the aging Vermont plant as reasons for the closure. It also acquired Nestle’s Wisconsin infant formula plant in 2022 and plans to expand that facility.
It stated: “For decades, our Vermont facility has played a critical role in feeding millions of babies; however, due to its age and evolving regulatory requirements, long-term maintenance and investments are not cost-effective, and we expect to eventually phase out production at this facility through to 2027 impacting approximately 420 employees. Perrigo considered multiple options for the Vermont facility, which unfortunately are not viable… Although this transition will occur in phases over a lengthy period of time, we shared our plan with employees this week. We are exploring all options, including redeployment opportunities and workforce support programs. In addition, we have developed a “retention and severance package” that goes above standard packages.”
Perrigo produces formula under 17 store brand customers that sell at approximately a 50% discount to the major national brands. The plant was built in 1984 by Wyeth Nutritionals before being sold to PBM in 2004 and then to Perrigo in 2010.
Economic Successes in Franklin County
Darci Benoit is the co-chair of the Swanton Chamber of Commerce and also the owner of Bees on Broadway, a local honey and body product shop. She stated that this part of the state offers business owners what they might not find elsewhere.
“Franklin County is a great place for business owners to encourage their customers [and] employees to enjoy our amazing local agricultural and outdoor recreational offerings,” said Benoit. “We have the Swanton Recreation Department, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, the Missisquoi wildlife refuge, and the lake and river for kayaking/boating.”
Benoit stated that in the Swanton area, there are several good things happening on the business front.
“Swanton’s retail business scene has grown exponentially in the past five years,” Benoit noted. “Since COVID, our storefronts have all filled with locally owned small businesses who are making a big impact on the activity in Swanton’s downtown.”
Additionally, a new restaurant and bakery in the center of town opened within the past year, and both, said Benoit, have been very well received by the community.
Looking ahead, Benoit stated that the Chamber hopes to continue seeing an upward swing in Swanton as it has in the past five years.
“We also are looking for opportunities to welcome more folks to our beautiful area,” said Benoit.
Kelly Ault is the executive director of Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance.
In Franklin County, Ault pointed to statistics from the Move Forward Together Vermont survey conducted in 2024 as a part of a statewide planning process. The survey found that 93 percent of those surveyed reported getting outside annually.
That’s a big opportunity for outdoor businesses in the state.
“Franklin County boasts iconic recreation resources for all ages, including opportunities to bike, walk, and run on two converted railways,” said Ault, referencing the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail and Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
The latter is a 93-mile trail that begins in Swanton and offers shuttle service and bike rentals by Lamoille Valley Bike Tours.
“Water sports on Lake Champlain from St Albans Bay range from kiteboarding and stand-up paddling out of Kite N Paddle or mountain biking at the Hard’ack Recreation Area, supported by Bootlegger Bikes in downtown,” said Ault, are other opportunities for residents and tourists to get out into the county.
Photo: Bootlegger Bikes downtown St. Albans. Photo: Katie Kittell.
Planning & Development Coordinator for the City of St. Albans, Arleigh Young, stated that the City has been very lucky to have a steadily growing and changing retail and restaurant market recently. She explained that a cohesive community of merchants works together, lifting each other up.
“We also have a growing base of businesses that are online-proof, meaning that the materials they carry cannot be found online,” said Young. “This makes us unique to shoppers.”
The City’s location is also an advantage, said Young. It’s near other cities and town centers, but offers unique options to visitors and locals alike.
A Snapshot of Doing Business in Franklin County
Sharone Perlman and James Schmidt are co-owners of The Highgate Manor, LLC, a wedding venue and event space located on Route 207. The historic mansion has a long history in the area, having been a bed & breakfast, bar, event location, and restaurant over the past few decades. Perlman and Schmidt envision it as a destination for happy couples tying the knot, as well as family and corporate events.
“We continue with good momentum in growing our sales and business since we opened just over a year ago,” said Perlman. “Our business has not only doubled in bookings but has expanded in hiring more employees.”
Schmidt stated that the company’s most popular services to date are parties and smaller weddings. “In the future, we anticipate holding more music-themed events that are open to the public,” he stated.
Challenges to Doing Business in Franklin County
At The Highgate Manor, LLC, Perlman stated that one issue keeps coming up for the new owners.
“Our biggest challenge in doing business in this part of the state is finding trusted vendor partners. To navigate this, we test various partners for reliability, quality, and collaboration,” said Perlman.
Photo: The Highgate Manor. Photo: Katie Kittell.
Foley, at Flat Fee Real Estate, noted that one of the greatest challenges the real estate market faces in this part of the state is a disconnect between buyer and seller expectations. Most sellers, he noted, still believe it’s a seller’s market with limited inventory and many buyers. Buyers, however, see many more homes on the market and decade-high interest rates.
“Given that people sell homes typically [after] only five to seven years, it is hard for sellers to know that the 15-year price appreciation cycle peaked in 2024. For years, they have read headlines about a ‘hot market’ with limited inventory and buyers willing to waive all contingencies and pay cash.”
Foley said that this “simply is not happening anymore.” However, the narrative has been slow to change. “Once it does, that will likely lead to a realignment of expectations,” Foley said.
The high cost of living in the state is an additional challenge.
“While COVID caused a wave of migration to Vermont, the tide has shifted, and while we do not have the actual census data to confirm it, we believe that Vermont is once again experiencing a net outflow of residents based upon where our clients are moving to from their current homes in Vermont,” said Foley.
For the Swanton Chamber of Commerce, Benoit stated that challenges in the business community include a “severe lack of volunteers.”
Benoit said, “Many of our local organizations face the same problems with the same handful of folks on numerous boards to fill empty gaps.”
Young noted several challenges that businesses are facing in this part of the state now. Staffing continues to be a big issue for all types of businesses in the area, Young explained.
“Finding quality staff who are dependable seems to be very hard right now. This has been an issue since the pandemic, and we do not see that shifting much currently.”
Likewise, there is a problem in Franklin County — like many communities in the state — with growing populations of unhoused people, some with drug and/or mental health issues. This has a major impact on businesses, Young said.
Shoplifting and panhandling have been ongoing challenges to business owners in the area, but a good relationship with the local police department has helped, as has a civilian park patrol.
“This is a newer challenge; last year was really tough, but we are making strides in the right direction,” said Young.
Another challenge is something that can’t be seen on the streets of any city or town, though: The perception of a place based on social media chatter. Negative comments about the area online pose a real problem for area businesses.
Young called this a “super hard challenge to overcome” as city personnel can’t be everywhere online commenting on people’s posts.
This year, Young stated, the City has seen a dip in Canadian business as well. “We hope this is temporary, and only time will tell,” she said.
Then, of course, is the ill-will generated by the tariffs imposed on Canadian goods and the Canada “becoming the 51st state.” While the actual impact of the on-again-off-again, on-again tariff impact will not be known until more solid economic data is accumulated as the economy cycles through, the negative view of the US by Canadians is clear.
And early data supports the lack of “Je me souviens” license plates from Quebec being seen in northern Vermont.
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 98,000 cars crossed into Vermont from Canada in April 2025, down from 147,000 in April 2024.
Canadians account for approximately $150 million of Vermont’s $4 billion tourism industry, according to a December 2024 report released by the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.
Je me souviens in English means “I remember.”
Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts said in late August, following a a trip to Quebec: “Canadian tourism to Vermont is down nearly 40% compared to last summer. That decline is being felt across our communities—from hotels and restaurants to farms and cultural attractions. Recently, Vermont leaders traveled north to meet with our Canadian neighbors. The message was clear: our relationship matters. We share history, trade, family, and friendship. Rebuilding those ties—one person at a time—is essential for both sides of the border.”
Je me souviens in English means “I remember.”
Living in Franklin County
Foley at Flat Fee Real Estate shared his thoughts on the housing market, specifically in Franklin County. This area, which is home to 49,946 residents according to the most recent Census Bureau information, has seen a significant increase in housing costs. This matches the housing cost across the state in recent years.
“The real estate market in Franklin County is similar to the real estate market in northwestern Vermont generally,” Foley stated.
The market has been rotating away from sellers and toward buyers, he said, with the inventory of available homes continuing to grow while buyer demand has softened.
“For the past four years, the number of homes under contract—meaning the number of buyers—has outpaced the number of active listings—meaning the number of sellers,” said Foley.
This is a trend Foley is seeing across counties in the northwestern part of the state. While it’s challenging to anticipate what the price correction might be in Franklin County and northwestern Vermont, Foley explained, in prior corrections the region has been spared the worst of what other areas and major metro locations tend to see.
“We expect the ultimate correction to be between 10-15% before prices stabilize,” said Foley.
Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
Young believes that the outlook for this area of the state is bright.
“I anticipate steady moderate growth over the coming years. The City has plans to build some much-needed housing, and I believe that will help to grow our business community, allowing for more employees, shoppers, and diners,” she said. “Our downtown is the center of the City’s business activities, and I do not anticipate that changing anytime soon,” she said.
While Franklin County has its share of storms, it also offers many silver linings in both business and recreational pursuits to residents and visitors alike.
Joy Choquette is a freelance writer from Franklin County.
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