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Vermont Business Magazine Kinney Pike Insurance has been named Vermont’s 2020 Diamond Achiever by Patriot Insurance Company. The annual award is presented to the highest performing agency based on set criteria including length of appointment, profitability, growth, and policy retention. Each year, the top Patriot Insurance Company agencies receive the “Diamond Achiever” award in recognition of their outstanding accomplishment.

Public Assets Institute Despite a dramatic drop in unemployment in recent months, the number of Vermont residents who are working has not increased. The number of people officially unemployed—available and looking for work—fell since last April because workers left the labor force, not because they returned to work. In March 2021, 30,000 fewer Vermonters were employed compared with the same month in 2020, before the full COVID shutdown—a 9 percent drop.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott announced today that Vermonters who are age 16, 17 and 18 can now make appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine starting tomorrow (Saturday, April 17) at 10 am. All other 16 and older Vermonters can start signing up as early as 6 am on Monday. Scott does not believe the suspension of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for another week will hold up the state's overall vaccination schedule. But those Vermonters who had made a J&J appointment will have to reschedule. Also, the Vermont Department of Health is reporting 141 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths for a statewide total of 242. And the governor extended the State of Emergency until May 15. This is expected to last until at least the summer, as Scott extends it month-to-month.

Vermont Business Magazine This week, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) Animal Health section was notified that a horse in Alburgh exhibiting neurologic abnormalities tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), resulting in a case of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). The horse in question is currently under quarantine while the Agency monitors and manages the case with the attending veterinarian.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Regular weekly unemployment claims continue to grow to their highest levels this year and remain at a very high level, as claimants were required to refile based on their annual eligibility. However, initial claims are more than 7,000 fewer than the same time last year. On April 10, 2020, the Labor Department reported 2,252 new weekly filings, an increase of 491. This week's filings, which are a recent high, are still 7,410 fewer than the same time last year. Nationally, claims unexpectedly fell below 600,000 to their lowest pandemic level. However, these remain historically high numbers.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell again and at 2.9 percent in March is back under 3 percent for the first time since just before the pandemic hit in early 2020. The Vermont Department of Labor released the report Friday morning. The rate reflects a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate of 3.0 percent. It was revised down from 3.1 percent. Vermont now is tied for the lowest rate in the nation with three Western states.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Democratic Party announced today that Maine-native Claire Cummings has been hired as the Party’s next Executive Director. In this role, Cummings will oversee the Party’s effort to fundraise, recruit and support Democratic candidates, and build a year-round grassroots organizing operation that keeps Vermont blue in 2022 and beyond.

Vermont Business Magazine Starting in October, callers in Vermont, and most other states, must use the area code in making any call. This will mean in Vermont that you will need to dial 802 even for local calls. This is part of an upgrade to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Vermont Business Magazine State officials announced Thursday that Vermont will follow the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and extend the pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for an additional week. The federal pause is in place to allow the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices the time it needs to gather more data about reported side effects. The committee will meet again next week. Approximately 5,800 Vermont appointments were impacted by the newly extended pause (April 13 through April 23).

Vermont Business Magazine The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter and University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, joined by the Vermont Medical Society, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, Vermont Psychiatric Association, Vermont American Academy of Emergency Physicians and the Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont denounce the large number of legislative proposals throughout the nation that will harm transgender and gender diverse youth. Every individual is entitled to high quality evidence-based medical care regardless of gender or sexual orientation. These proposals drive discrimination, reinforce stigma and create barriers to care.

Vermont Business Magazine Top 25 bearded Vermonters to vie for Best Beard title this Saturday, April 17Saturday, April 17, from 7-8:30 pm, Make-A-Wish Vermont is hosting the final, in-person, culmination of their contest and fundraiser to find the Best Beard in Vermont. This outdoor, drive-in/tailgate style event will feature some of the best beards from across the state, along with Wish Kids, prizes, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine With summer on the horizon, Prohibition Pig Restaurant and Brewery is excited to debut its latest brewing masterpiece, Swine Cooler, a cool, vibrantly spirited hard seltzer that is destined to be consumed on boats, beaches and rivers across Vermont. Swine Cooler was first made available on tap at the Pro Pig Restaurant and Brewery, and due to its popularity, the 5% ABV hard seltzer is now available in three refreshing flavors statewide in 4-pack 16oz cans for $10.99 suggested retail.