Local farm equipment dealer grows into N.Y. state

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.

Officials at Middlebury-based Champlain Valley Equipment said they will appeal a recent U.S. Department of Labor decision requiring the farm equipment seller to rehire a fired employee at its Berlin branch and pay him back wages and damages of $147,000. 

Middlebury’s Champlain Valley Equipment this week closed on a deal to buy Essex Equipment’s Kubota Dealership. The transfer wrapped up on Feb. 15.

MIDDLEBURY — Thirty years ago, the Carpenter family wasn’t sure if their business, Champlain Valley Equipment, would survive. World and national events, and a major recession, were creating tough times for CVE and many other businesses. “At the time, we w … (read more)