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by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth in July 2022 to 2.1 percent. All three major metrics showed positive results, as the labor force and number of employed increased and the number of people looking for work decreased. In addition, the civilian labor force participation rate rose to 61.7 percent in July, up one-tenth from June. The jobless rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the labor force is still far behind and some 20,000 available jobs in Vermont are still unfilled. Vermont has the fifth lowest jobless rate in the nation.

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael’s College is being recognized for its longtime mission of and passion for service to the community. The Princeton Review, which issues annual reviews of the best colleges in the country, recently ranked Saint Michael’s College #25 on its list of colleges most engaged in community service. Saint Michael’s College has long focused on how students, faculty, and staff can make an impact on the larger community. Their founders, the Society of Saint Edmund, have their roots in service, hospitality, education and social justice, which is embodied by the college both inside and outside the classroom.

Vermont Business Magazine At his weekly media briefing on Thursday at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Governor Phil Scott highlighted available resources and new state investments passed this year to combat the opioid epidemic and support those with substance use disorder, including nearly $9 million in new investments for prevention, treatment and recovery. The governor was joined by state leaders from the Department of Health, including Health Commissioner Dr Mark Levine, as well as representatives from the UVM Health Network, community prevention coalitions and health care providers. In total, across all funds, the state budget this year invests $66.2 million for substance use programs at the Vermont Department of Health. This includes nearly $9 million in new or additional state funding

Vermont Business Magazine Getting vaccinated has cool perks at the Fletcher Free Library on Tuesday, August 23 from 1-5 p.m. The first 40 participants will receive a coupon for a free creemee courtesy of the Burlington Bay Market & Café. This free walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held in the Main Reading Room located in the Fletcher Free Library at 235 College St. in Burlington. No insurance or ID will be required. Anyone who is eligible can be vaccinated, anyone under age 18 will need consent from their legal guardian.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued his 10-point public safety enhancement and violence prevention action plan, laying out the framework of a comprehensive response to address violent crime and other public safety concerns across the state. To begin, Governor Scott has directed the commissioner of Public Safety and other agency and department executives – in partnership with other law enforcement entities, prosecutors, and the judiciary – to implement a 10-point plan focused on three core goals: To reinforce frontline law enforcement capacity and prioritize immediate reduction, prevention and prosecution of violent crime statewide; To expand prosecution capacity and help the courts address a backlog of cases; and To prioritize long-term violence prevention policies, systems, and services.

Vermont Business Magazine NEK Workforce Partners Job Fest will be held on Thursday at Bandstand Park in Lyndonville, and is to be hosted by the NEK Workforce Partners, a group that includes the Vermont Department of Labor and HireAbility. More than 35 employers will be at the job fair to promote their job openings. In addition to employers and local partners, the event will also feature food trucks and children’s activities, including the Cobleigh Library Bookmobile. Thursday, August 18 from 9am – 2 pm (rain or shine).

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont faculty and staff researchers attracted over a quarter-billion dollars in research funding in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, reaching a new all-time high. In recent years, the university has enhanced its emphasis on research activities that build healthy societies and a healthy environment. Significant attention has gone into building campus infrastructure to support researchers’ work.

“Research at UVM directly addresses the global challenges of our time, seeking solutions that benefit Vermont and the world,” said President Suresh Garimella. “Our scholars’ success in securing external funding reflects the world-class quality of our faculty and our collective ambition to position UVM among the most successful public research universities in the U.S.”

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are down 11 cents in the last week to $4.23 per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.90/g today. Despite a more rapid drop this week, prices in Vermont have fallen at a slower pace than the national average over the last month. The cheapest Vermont gas is in White River Junction ($3.98), and Manchester Center and St Johnsbury ($3.99). The most expensive is in Killington ($4.89).

by Jack Hoffman, Public Assets Institute A strong economy, spurred by federal stimulus money and funds to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, is producing a surge in Vermont state tax receipts. Personal income taxes are up, meals and rooms taxes are up, and so are corporate taxes. Now is the time to start planning for when revenues come back down to earth. Much has been written about the billions of dollars of federal aid that has flowed to Vermont, and the other states, through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and other bills to address the health and economic effects of the pandemic. We have tracked $11 billion in federal funds that flowed to individuals, businesses, schools, state and local governments, and other entities since the spring of 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine Bennington College today announced three additions to its Board of Trustees: Sekka Scher, a leader in the entertainment community, George Davison, an esteemed educator/administrator and Florence Gill, a graduate of the class of 2022 who will be the recent graduate trustee on the board.

Vermont Business Magazine These classes are perfect for women who enjoy the outdoors. Whether you work in the outdoor industry or participate in any of the many activities available in the region. Build skills and confidence in a fun learning evironment. As a former Air Force SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) specialist, wilderness survival expert Jessie Krebs spent 30 years preparing people for the unexpected. Now she’s teaching you the mindset and skills to safely explore the outdoors. Learn essential survival techniques—from signaling for help to reading a map, finding water, making shelter, and more—and embark on your next adventure with confidence.