Current News

Unemployment rate falls another tenth to 3.1 percent

The Vermont Department of Labor has reported that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for February was 3.1 percent. This reflects a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate of 3.2 percent. The comparable United States rate in February was 6.2 percent, which was a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised January estimate. The decline is largely due to a sharp decrease in the Labor Force from January. The number of unemployed also fell. Both the Labor Force and total Employed represent about 30,000 fewer workers than a year ago, which was pre-pandemic.

Vermont vaccine schedule

Vermont Business Magazine SeaComm Credit Union recently celebrated the official opening of its ninth branch location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 16, 2021. The Essex branch finalized construction at 25 Carmichael Street, and was open to the public on April 19, 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Small Business Administration will reopen the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal tomorrow, April 24, 2021, at 12:30 p.m. EDT for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theaters, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on Friday led a letter urging President Biden to include significant prescription drug price reforms in his forthcoming American Families Plan. Concerned by news reports indicating that the Biden plan will not include prescription drug price reforms, Welch led 20 of his colleagues to urge the administration to reconsider. In particular, the Members ask that the American Families Plan include critical reforms like those in H.R. 3, which was re-introduced yesterday.

Vermont Business Magazine The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Friday afternoon to resume use of the “paused” Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Vermont officials expect to provide additional information on what the outcome will mean in Vermont as early as Saturday morning. The VDH also reported that there were 89 new cases of COVID-19 and once again no new deaths, which remain at 243.

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College will award honorary doctorates to its commencement speakers—Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD—during its 143rd Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The celebrations will also feature student speakers Angela Richard, Robbin Suggs Williams, and Paul Leendertse. Hilary Delisle, a Champlain College staff member graduating with a Master of Business Administration, will sing the national anthem.

Vermont Business Magazine Seven Days, Vermont’s free, independent newsweekly, won nine first-place awards in this year’s New England Better Newspaper Competition — including top honors in investigative, history, social issue and religious issue reporting. The paper also won nine second-place and seven third-place awards — 25 total. The contest is organized by the New England Newspaper & Press Association. This competition is the largest and most comprehensive journalism recognition program in New England.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Dickson Corbett, of Chelsea, as Orange County state’s attorney, following William Porter’s resignation. Corbett has served as deputy state’s attorney for Orange County since 2013. Prior to that, he served as a law clerk and staff attorney with the Vermont Judiciary. Corbett received a BA at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and his JD from Vermont Law School.

Vermont Business Magazine Bennington College has earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

Vermont Business Magazine Union Mutual announced today that AM Best has upgraded the rating of the Union Mutual of Vermont Companies to “A” (Excellent) with Stable Outlook. The Union Mutual of Vermont Companies consist of Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, New England Guaranty Insurance Company, Inc as well as its mutual affiliate, Community Mutual Insurance Company.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University has announced that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark A Milley will give the commencement address to the Class of 2021 in recorded remarks on Saturday, May 1. Milley was born June 20, 1958, in Winchester, Massachusetts. In 1980, he graduated from Princeton University and received his commission from the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). During his more than 40 years in uniform, Milley commanded and served in units at every echelon, from platoon leader to US Army chief of staff.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, in continued celebration of Earth Day 2021, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced the United States Department of Agriculture is investing $12.3 million in critical infrastructure that will help the towns of Brandon, Vermont, and Northumberland, New Hampshire, build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under its Water and Environmental Programs, in addition to the $490 million national infrastructure investment announced by the Biden-Harris Administration on Earth Day.