Business News

Local farm equipment dealer grows into N.Y. state

BRIAN CARPENTER, OWNER and president of Middlebury-based Champlain Valley Equipment, recently confirmed his company’s acquisition of Empire Tractor Inc., a Central New York company with store locations in Batavia, Atlanta, Cortland, Waterloo, Watertown, and Canton, N.Y. Independent photo/John Flowers

On the cusp of 63 years old, Champlain Valley Equipment President Brian Carpenter thought he’d be easing into a more measured work schedule in tandem with his role as chair of the Middlebury selectboard. But sometimes, life doesn’t go according to plan — especially when a good business opportunity materializes.