Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims fell marginally last week but remain at a low level. Claims had been falling steadily since early July. Claims also are lower than they were the same time last year, which has been the case for most weeks in 2017. For the week of September 9, 2017, there were 306 claims, 4 fewer than than they were last week and 73 fewer than they were a year ago.

Altogether 2,752 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 586 from a week ago, and 458 fewer than a year ago.

Claims during the summer usually hold at a relatively low level because of vacation hiring, until the next transition, which typically happens in September when school resumes.

As expected, by industry, Services accounted for the most claims (51 percent of the total). Manufacturing numbers fell and represents 8 percent of all claims.

Vermont Business Magazine After almost a week helping restore power to thousands of people in Georgia, Green Mountain Power crews are returning to Vermont. The team of more than 30 lineworkers, supervisors, and mechanics left Tuesday, Sept. 12, and are set to arrive in Vermont tomorrow morning. They helped set new poles, make repairs to downed lines and replace broken poles. The storm left an incredible amount of damage, and at this point nearly all residents in Habersham County have power back on, where the team was working.

Vermont Business Magazine On September 14^th, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibly (VBSR) honored Beth Sachs with the 2017 Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement. Sachs, the co-founder of Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) who “was never good at following rules,” was honored in front of nearly 200 VBSR members, friends, and guests who gave her two standing ovations at VBSR’s 16^th Annual Award Ceremony and Dinner at Basin Harbor.

Beth Sachs with son Ben. VBSR photos.

by Mike Smith Paying taxes is not an activity most Vermonters enjoy. In fact, department officials responsible for collecting taxes will readily admit they wouldn’t win a popularity contest. Still, it’s fair to say that state officials didn’t expect a backlash for enforcement of a tax on online and out-of-state purchases that has been on the books for some time. Although most can agree the reason for enforcing this tax provision is laudable, the way the Department of Taxes is going about it defies logic. One could argue the department’s approach is unfair and arbitrary. It is ultimately a public relations nightmare for a department that most Vermonters already love to hate.

Public Assets InstituteIn August the number of Vermonters officially unemployed dropped to its lowest level in more than 16 years: 10,445, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s the first time since March 2001 that the number has dipped below 10,500. Only people who are jobless and actively seeking work are counted as “unemployed.” Low unemployment means a shortage of workers, which should push up wages.

University of VermontIt is with great sadness that we inform the University community that Rebecca Ryan, a junior in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, from Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away during a tragic rock climbing accident on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Rebecca was studying to be an athletic trainer and was actively involved on campus with the Rock Climbing Club and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, among others. Rebecca’s mother describes her as “an adventurous young woman, deeply committed to her faith.”

We extend our deepest condolences to Rebecca’s family. Our sincere thoughts of care and sympathy are also extended to Rebecca’s friends, classmates, and to faculty and staff who were close to her.

Information about family and/or campus services will follow as soon as it becomes available.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott on Friday announced more than 150 appointments to boards and commissions throughout the state. “I thank each of these appointees – and those already serving – for their commitment to Vermont and public service,” Scott said. “Vermont’s boards and commissions provide an opportunity for Vermonters to give back to their communities and serve their state, playing an important role in both advisory and policy making capacities.”

The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill additional vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at http://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

The Governor’s recent appointments can be found below.

Apprenticeship Council

Vermont Business Magazine The Way to Go! Challenge is back this September 25 - October 6th. New this year, the event is geared specifically to K-12 schools, encouraging students, staff and faculty to battle carbon pollution head-on for at least one day. Dozens of schools have already signed-up, and registration remains openat www.waytogovt.org thru through October 5th.

Vermont Business Magazine The Champlain Housing Trust announced today that NorthCountry Federal Credit Union has awarded the organization with a $10,000 grant to go toward sustaining and expanding their financial literacy and counseling programming. This is the third year in a row the Credit Union has supported CHT’s financial services which include homebuyer education, pre-purchase counseling, financial capabilities education and mentoring, foreclosure and delinquency intervention services, and a new eviction program.

“As a community credit union, we are pleased to sponsor programs that help people create a base of financial stability, and to secure and keep housing,” said Brian Jaffarian, NCFCU’s Public Relations Specialist.

CHT expects to be busier than ever with the State’s newly announced $35 million revenue bond to support the development of affordable housing over the next several years.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University presents the fall lineup of the Writers Series. All presentations are free and open to the public and held at 4 pm in the Kreitzberg Library Carol Todd Multipurpose Room. Beginning the series on Tuesday, September 26, is former Al Qaeda hostage in Syria, author of “My Life Has Stood a Loaded Gun” and “Undercover Muslim,” and subject of the documentary film, “Theo Who Lived,” Theo Padnos.

Vermont Business Magazine September has been designated National Hunger Action Month by the Vermont Foodbank, and to raise awareness and fight hunger in Vermont, Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced the start of the 1st Annual “Lawyers Fighting Hunger Food Drive.” The Lawyers Fighting Hunger Food Drive is a collaboration between the Office of the Attorney General, the Vermont Bar Association and the Vermont Foodbank and will run from September 15th through 30th. Thirty Vermont law firms and law offices have signed up in advance to participate in this first-ever event.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont responded late Friday with a letter that both cajoled and scolded an attempt by the federal government to shutter Vermont’s immigrant investor program, known as EB-5, by immediately closing the Vermont Regional Center. Governor Scott has also desired to close the state-associated program, but favors an orderly and cooperative plan with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.