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Vermont Business Magazine Wednesday, April 24, 2019, is the 13^th anniversary of National Walk@ Lunch Day. Rutland Regional Medical Center will be putting their best foot forward with employees walking the hospital loop between 11am-1pm. Community members are also invited to join in.

Vermont Business Magazine Renewable energy entrepreneur David Blittersdorf has announced the launch of RENewed Wind and Solar, an online marketplace for refurbished wind and solar equipment.  RENewed Wind and Solar’s website, www.renewedwindandsolar.com, offers bargain prices on an array of high quality pre-owned, refurbished, and never-before-used wind and solar equipment. From recalibrated anemometers to second-life solar panels, RENewed Wind and Solar provides customers with an eco-conscious shopping experience by reusing underutilized renewable assets.

Leonine Public Affairs This is the point in the session when questions start to percolate about which high profile bills will reach the finish line this year. Two priority bills for Democrats - paid family leave and minimum wage -  have passed one chamber, but are lingering in policy committees as May approaches. Additionally, there are two other bills that seem to have run into roadblocks after easily passing their chamber of origin. A proposal to increase the heating fuel tax by two percent to pay for weatherization passed the House, but the Senate has balked, citing concerns that the tax adversely affects those it is trying to help. In the House, a proposal to put a 24-hour waiting period on the purchase of handguns has stalled, despite passing the Senate with overwhelming support.

Vermont Business Magazine Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Secretary Julie Moore invites the public to join her on April 30 from 4:00-5:00 pm to discuss a variety of environmental topics, including the status of Vermont’s wetlands. The Secretary will engage attendees in a conversation about the role of wetlands, wetlands legislation, and the Agency’s role in regulatory and restoration work.   

Public Asset Institute The labor market continued its strong streak, as unemployment fell another notch in March, to 2.3 percent. But the trend is different for women 45 to 54 years old, who were less likely to be working in 2018 than five years earlier. Preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that 77.5 percent of women ages 45 to 54—often a worker’s highest-earning years—were on the job last year, the lowest rate in 20 years. Meanwhile, women 25 to 34 years old were more likely to be working.

Vermont Business Magazine Steve Gagner, owner and founder of 14th Star Brewing Company in St Albans is being recognized by the US Small Business Administration for employment growth, financial success, expansion and community involvement. One month after reaching a historic low, Vermont's unemployment rate fell again to a record low 2.4 percent in February, according to the Vermont Department of Labor report, tied for lowest in the nation. General Fund tax revenues fell below expectations for February and are now behind targets for the fiscal year. The vital personal income tax, after a strong January, was off by -11.25 percent, or -$3.02 million. A whopping increase in the corporate tax was undermined by a poor month in the insurance premium tax. February marks the eighth month of Fiscal Year 2019. The City of Burlington has closed on the transfer of Burlington Telecom to Schurz Communications, marking the final step in the resolution of the city’s years-long financial crisis. AND MORE...

Vermont Business Magazine Over the past several years, Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) has trained hundreds of people to become licensed nursing assistants (LNA). Many have gone on to rewarding careers in the health system’s skilled nursing facilities or in the hospital’s inpatient units.

Vermont Business Magazine In a just-released survey, young professionals in the Burlington area defied stereotypes and said they want to stay in Vermont and even buy a single-family home. In both cases, however, circumstances and opportunity are limiting their opportunities. Completed by 500 young professionals in the region between January and March of this year, the State of the Greater Burlington Young Professional Community Survey covered housing, employment, and civic engagement topics as a means to understand what young professionals want and need to continue to live and work in the greater Burlington area.

Vermont Business Magazine After a slight drop last week, unemployment claims increased last week. They've been bouncing up and down this spring. Claims for the week of April 13, 2019, rose from a relatively average level of 519 to 698 last week. Weekly unemployment claims were also 73 higher than they were at this time last year.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor released the March 2019 unemployment rate, which shows that it has dropped to 2.3 percent, a historic low and again tied for the lowest rate in the nation. This is third consecutive month in which the state's jobless rate has set a new record low.

Vermont Business Magazine On the evening of April 18th, the Burlington Board of School Commissioners unanimously ratified a contract agreement with Paraeducators in the District for the 2019-2020 school year. "We are glad to see the continued collaboration between the para's BEA bargaining team, the board, and the District has resulted in the collective bargaining process resolving much sooner than in previous years," said Superintendent Obeng and Board Chair Clare Wool in a joint statement. "We are most pleased that we were able to avoid mediation this year and we look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen relationships and serve our students."