Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims plunged last week to a very low level, as typical for summer, but are running higher in 2016 than in 2015. For the week of August 20, 2016, there were 389 claims, down 161 from the previous week's total and 25 more than they were a year ago. By industry, claims plunged for  Manufacturing. Service, the usual leader, led the way with 56 percent of all claims, which for actual claims was about the same as last week. 

Altogether 4,384 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 54 from a week ago, and 76 more than a year ago.

The Department processed 0 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08).

by Mike Smith Political debates play a very important role in a campaign. Especially when there is an open seat for governor and Vermonters are looking for ways to get to know a candidate. Voters gain meaningful insight into the positions and demeanor of a candidate through a well-structured debate. But some candidates will attempt to manipulate the debate format to their advantage. This could include limiting the number of debates, the scope of the topics to be discussed, even the time, date, and place of the debate. Some candidates may even try to place requirements on which candidates can participate, sometimes requiring that all be included in order to limit their exposure and avoid direct confrontation with one’s principal opponent.

Vermont Business Magazine The Securities and Exchange Commission last week announced enforcement actions against 71 municipal issuers and other obligated persons for violations in municipal bond offerings. Among those was a single Vermont entity, Casella Waste Management, based in Rutland. The parties settled the actions without admitting or denying the findings and agreed to cease and desist from future violations.

Vermont Business Magazine The Rowell Family of Green Mountain Dairy Farm in Sheldon believe in showing their community what farmers do to produce safe, wholesome and nutritious food in Vermont and beyond. On August 27, the Rowell’s opened their farm to over 1,000 visitors for Vermont’s 3^rd Breakfast on the Farm. The free, public event included a pancake breakfast, self-guided tours of the dairy farm and a peek into the life and business of dairy farming in Vermont – home to over 850 dairy farms that make 63% of the milk for New England, according to USDA data.

The Rowell farm dairy barn. VAAFM photos.

Sue Minter, Democratic candidate for governor: It’s hard to believe that anything good can come of a disaster. But five years after Tropical Storm Irene ravaged our brave little state, I travel with pride through a Vermont that is stronger and more resilient than it was before that terrible night when the flood waters rose.

by Gaye Symington, High Meadows Fund We find out who we are when we are pushed to our limits. In August 2011, the power of water pushed Vermont hard – and revealed the power of our Vermont community. Tropical Storm Irene was a momentous event in Vermont’s history, and the response to Irene showed our remarkable identity as a people and as neighbors who care for each other. In the time since Irene, our state has confronted the new reality of more frequent and intense storms. We have been working together as a state and as communities to be better prepared and more resilient together. However, we have more to do.

by Gary Franklin A new federal law protecting confidential business information became effective on May 11, 2016. The adoption of the Defend Trade Secrets Act (the “Act”) arose from the federal government’s recognition of the importance of trade secrets and the devastating impact on the economy from their misappropriation. Trade secret theft causes annual losses of more than 2 million jobs and over $300B to the American economy undermining the means and incentive for entrepreneurs to innovate. 

Vermont Business Magazine Phil Scott, Republican candidate for governor, will be joining Vermonters across the state this weekend in celebration and commemoration of their five-year commitment to restoring Vermont’s communities in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. As Lt. Governor, Phil saw first-hand the on-the-ground recovery effort, which continues to this day, and the hard work that many Vermonters poured into rebuilding our state. The tour is an opportunity for Phil to reconnect with those communities that banded together five years ago.

Schedule:     Saturday, Aug 27^th 4 – 5 p.m.: More-Fest Auto and Antique Tractor Show

• Moretown Elementary School, Moretown, Vt.  

Sunday, Aug 28^th 10 – 10:45 a.m.: White River Resilience Festival

Vermont Business Magazine - Senator Patrick Leahy Friday announced that he will participate in three debates in this fall’s campaign for the United States Senate.  The three debates will be hosted by Vermont PBS, Vermont Public Radio and Channel 17 and follows precedent established in previous elections.   Leahy welcomed and encouraged other media outlets to collaborate on these debates. 

Leahy spokesman Jay Tilton said: “Senator Leahy is looking forward to having a positive, issue oriented debate with his opponents this fall, just as he has in previous cycles.”

Tilton noted Leahy agreed to two of these debates before Republican candidate for Senate Scott Milne issued his “debate challenge.”

Vermont Business Magazine - With Hurricane Irene still fresh in all of our minds and observing the fifth anniversary of that devastating storm this weekend I would like to share a story from the Baton Rogue Business Report. Like Vermont, Louisiana is struggling after horrible flooding hit their state and in [articular, Baton Rogue. The people and businesses of Louisiana need our help. Five years ago, Vermonters and people from throughout the country came and helped our state, its people, their communities and businesses and without that help, who knows where we would be today. I urge our readers to help the people of Louisiana any way they can. The story below has a link where you can make a donation to the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund. Thank you for your support. - John Boutin, Publisher, Vermont Business Magazine

Attorneys and staff of Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC are mourning the loss of Attorney and Director Eric A. Poehlmann, 46, who died this week while hiking in Colorado. 

“We are all deeply saddened to learn of Eric’s untimely death,” said Paul H. Ode Jr., managing partner and chief executive officer at DRM. “Eric was a skilled legal craftsman and one of the firm’s top litigators. He was highly regarded by our clients. He was loved and respected by everyone at the firm. He will be sorely missed.”

Eric A. Poehlmann

Poehlmann joined DRM after graduating from Cornell Law School in 1996. He was named a director in 2005.

Vermont Business Magazine - Senior officials and congressional staff gathered today to commend the City of Barre for a comprehensive project that will limit future flood damages to its downtown businesses and residences, and to commit the support of state and federal agencies to similar projects statewide. The event at City Hall Park came five years after Tropical Storm Irene devastated many communities across Vermont. An  official “Commemoration Day” proclaimed by Governor Peter Shumlin is this Sunday.