Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the unemployment rate fell to 2.9 percent for September 2021. This reflects a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. The rate is based on household data collected by the US Census. All three major metrics (labor force, number of employed, number of unemployed) improved modestly. However, the labor force is still missing about 25,000 workers. The comparable United States rate in September was 4.8 percent, which was a decrease of four-tenths of one percentage point from the revised August estimate. Vermont is tied for the third lowest unemployment rate in the nation (with New Hampshire, Idaho, South Dakota).

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Health today announced Thursday night that, effective Friday, the state is expanding its COVID-19 booster shot program to include the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. In addition, starting Friday through pharmacies or your healthcare provider, or starting on November 1 through the state registration system, Vermonters ages 18 and older may choose a booster vaccine that is a different brand than the one they initially received. These actions follow the decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to authorize use of the three vaccines for booster doses. Pfizer boosters have been available since September 24.

Vermont Business Magazine Through in-person and virtual job fair events held this week, the Vermont Department of Labor and local partners came together to provide job-seeking Vermonters the opportunity to meet with employers hiring across Vermont. October Job Fest events were held in Bennington and Rutland as outdoor, in-person job fairs on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, while a virtual job fair focusing on the ski industry was held on Thursday.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc (NASDAQ: ISUN), a leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company based in Williston, announced Wednesday that it has been awarded contracts for Solar Engineering, Procurement and Construction services across three separate projects in Maine. Once complete, the projects will yield over 20mw of solar production; Combined, the contract values exceed $6.7 million.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting that cases spiked again today with 318 (up 211) after four straight days in which cases fell, after setting a pandemic record of 342 on Saturday. The four worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. There has also been some uneven reporting of cases, resulting in peaks and troughs. The VDH also today reported two additional deaths for 351 statewide. Cases in the southern four counties continue to be relatively high (Bennington 29, Rutland 26, Windsor 26, Windham 18), as have cases in Franklin (21) and the Northeast Kingdom (Orleans County 60, Caledonia 21, Essex 7).

Vermont Business Magazine A coalition of Vermont associations representing home health and hospice, physicians and other clinicians, dentists, mental health providers, long term care facilities, adult day centers, and hospitals expressed support for the Scott Administration’s proposals to strengthen Vermont’s vital health care workforce and help address our state’s workforce shortage. The Agency of Human Services presented its Health Care Workforce Development Strategic Plan to the Green Mountain Care Board on Wednesday recommending new investments and increased supports that are critical to the state’s health care system.

Vermont State Police Following a request Thursday afternoon from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Vermont State Police is assuming the lead role in the investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday night, Oct. 20, 2021, in Greensboro. The incident occurred at about 8:13 p.m. Wednesday at 1119 Eligo Lake Rd. The deceased is identified as Robert Chaplin, 27, of East Hardwick. The shooting occurred following a dispute that began earlier Wednesday in Hardwick between the victim and Daryl Johnson, 48, of Greensboro.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union today joined over 56,000 credit unions around the world to celebrate International Credit Union (ICU) Day. ICU Day highlights the many ways that credit unions across the world help members improve their financial health and well-being. In celebration of International Credit Union Day, Vermont Federal Credit Union team members delivered food and reusable tote bags to seven food shelves across northern Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Rinck Advertising was recently awarded a two-year contract for the Vermont Department of Health’s tobacco counter-marketing campaigns. With offices in Lewiston, ME and Annapolis, MD, the full-service agency’s health communication interventions aim to reduce Vermont’s youth and adult smoking prevalence, as well as reduce the exposure of all Vermonters to secondhand smoke.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Blakely H Jenkins, Sr, 60, of St Johnsbury, has been indicted by the federal grand jury in Burlington on six counts of tax evasion and one count of identity theft in connection with Jenkins’ operation of his St Johnsbury-based painting business, Blake Jenkins Painting, Inc. Jenkins was arrested on the charges today and is expected to appear in United States District Court tomorrow.

Vermont Business Magazine House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint announce the final round of community conversations on the once in a lifetime opportunity facing Vermont to make significant investments that will transform and shape the future of our state. These regional discussions will be held virtually, October 28 and November 2, 4, 8, 10 and 16.

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday morning approved the nomination of Vermont’s Beth Robinson, to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, sending her historic nomination to the US Senate Floor for a confirmation vote. This is the key step in the confirmation process. The Second Circuit covers Vermont.