Current News

Vermont Business Magazine New unemployment claims increased slightly week-over-week on June 27, but were still 96% below the peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help add some context to these statistics, WalletHub just released updated rankings for the States Whose Unemployment Claims Are Recovering the Quickest, along with accompanying videos and audio files.

Key Stats:

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce distributed its annual State of the Commerce survey to its business and nonprofit members recently. The purpose of the State of the Commerce Survey was to hear from regional businesses and nonprofits about how they were doing in the current economy, what their current attitudes were in relation to economic vitality, and what new small business trends they saw emerging.

The survey was distributed to 320 representatives in the regional chamber of commerce and 84 participants completed it or 26%.

Vermont Business Magazine On July 6, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) and Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) co-hosted a virtual candidate forum with the five candidates who are competing for three seats in this summer’s Democratic primary in the newly redrawn Washington County State Senate district. (This district now includes all of Washington County, plus the towns of Stowe, Braintree, and Orange.)

Steven Pappas, the Publisher & Executive Editor of The Times Argus/Rutland Herald, moderated a lively and engaging conversation with Senate candidates Ann Cummings, Jared Duval, Jeremy Hansen, Andrew Perchlik, and Anne Watson.

Vermont Business Magazine Reconciled is excited to announce the acquisition of HRbiz, welcoming accounting professionals and clients of the local Chattanooga accounting and HR consulting firm. Reconciled, the online bookkeeping firm for entrepreneurs, continues to expand nationally. HRbiz’s customers will continue with the same great support and service that has made HRbiz a success, but with the added value of Reconciled’s accounting team and resources.

Founded in 2015 in Burlington, VT, Reconciled has served entrepreneurs across the country. This acquisition is part of Reconciled's strategic growth plan to offer improved accessibility of its award-winning bookkeeping services to businesses across the United States.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors of Energize Vermont today announced the appointment of Becca Dill to serve as the organization’s Director. Established in 2010, Energize Vermont is the statewide non-profit founded to promote energy and climate policies protecting Vermont’s environment and respecting Vermont communities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has announced the 2022-2023 migratory game bird hunting season dates and bag limits.

A printable copy of the Migratory Bird Syllabus can be downloaded from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) under “Hunt” – “Waterfowl.” A printed version also will be available from license agents and post offices in August.

Vermont Business Magazine The Public Service Department (PSD) today announces the kickoff of a comprehensive review of Vermont’s renewable and clean electricity policies and programs. The Department is issuing a Request for Input (“RFI”) to solicit feedback on the process for this review, as well as gather initial input about what is important to Vermonters regarding the State’s supply of electricity. The policy and supporting programs include, but are not limited to:

Vermont Business Magazine The Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth at the Vermont Community Foundation recently awarded $24,990 in grants to support dynamic and innovative youth programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford. Three community members who live and/or work with youth in these five Bennington towns participated on the review committee.

In 2022, the fund has prioritized projects that meaningfully focus on one or more of the following:

· Elevating youth leadership and empowerment, especially of historically marginalized youth

· Providing opportunity and access for youth facing continued hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty, and other challenges and traumas

· Expanding youth engagement in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities and increasing youth exposure to STEAM careers

· Advancing youth entrepreneurship

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says many people are having problems with bears looking for food near their homes, and with the food scrap ban in effect the department is providing tips for people who are composting at home so they can avoid attracting hungry bears.

“We have been receiving lots of reports of bears on decks, tearing down bird feeders, wrecking beehives, killing chickens, and getting into trash, compost and garbage containers,” said bear biologist Jaclyn Comeau. “We are offering some guidance on how to compost at home without attracting bears.”

Vermont Business Magazine Volunteers planted nearly 1,600 native trees and shrubs in Barre, East Montpelier, Westminster, and Brattleboro this spring, to restore wetlands and streams and to improve wildlife habitat, the Vermont Land Trust announced today.

The plantings along tributaries of the Winooski River and the Connecticut River will help restore the health of wetlands and streams. The restoration projects were completed on Old Soul Farm in Barre, Fairmont Farms in East Montpelier, and former farm fields in Westminster and Brattleboro.

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, July 22, 2022, the SHRM Vermont State Council and the HR State Council of New Hampshire will join forces to present THE BUSINESS OF PEOPLE: A Leadership Summit in the Age of Challenge for all regional business leaders seeking an engaging one-day educational and networking opportunity.