Current News

Vermont jobs and total labor force are up, while the number of jobless is down. The Vermont Department of Labor has announced that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for February 2012 was 4.9 percent, a decrease of two-tenths of a percent from the revised January rate. At 4.9 percent, Vermont’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is below 5.0 percent for the first time since October 2008. The comparable national rate for February 2012 is 8.3 percent; which held steady from the previous month.The seasonally adjustedVermontdata show the totalVermontlabor force increased by 100. Total employment increased by 600 while total unemployment decreased by 400.

Continuing in its mission of manufacturing while protecting the global environment, it was announced on March 15 thatChroma Technology Corp.of Bellows Falls, Vermont has been certified a Green Partner by Sony Corporation.

"Sony is looking at the environmental impact of the product we're sending out the door," said Chroma's Health, Safety and Environmental Manager Chip Siler. "They want to know what chemicals, if any, are contained in these products and whether or not they are hazardous. They want to know how these chemicals are controlled through their lifetime - from the production of the part all the way through its disposal at the end of its life. European laws are much more strict about this than the U.S., and we market to Europe. But we're doing this - and Sony's doing this - because we'd like to make the world a better place."

As college completion rates continue to climb in other parts of the world, a new report released today by Lumina Foundation shows that the US must do significantly more to build on the modest gains in higher education attainment seen here at home. Experts gathered at the Rayburn House Office Building to announce the latest findings, highlight what is working and discuss how a stronger sense of urgency is needed to better position America for success in the knowledge economy.

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), a leading providers of information and communications products and services, today announced Comcast Business VoiceEdge, a cloud-based voice and unified communications solution.

Business loans and bond financings in excess of $10.4 million have been approved by the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA). It is estimated that the VEDA financing will help stimulate $15.5 million in economic development activity throughout the state.
‘VEDA is very pleased to offer financing support to a number of small business projects around Vermont,’ said Jo Bradley, VEDA Chief Executive Officer. ‘In addition, bond financing has been approved for several large facility expansion projects.’
Among the projects approved by the Authority for financing assistance:

The US Small Business Administration is inviting states and US territories to apply for $30 million in grants that can be used in a variety of ways to help increase exporting by small businesses. SBA began accepting applications on March 27.
‘Federal investment in small business exporting is already beginning to pay dividends in foreign sales and economic development, which translates into a stronger economy and job creation,’ said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. ‘Through the STEP program, new-to-export and new-to-market firms are selling American products and services in markets all over the world. The future looks even more exciting - with key marketing initiatives ranging from South Korea, to India and the European Union. This year’s grants will further help states assist small businesses enter and succeed in the global market.’

Vermont’s congressional delegation ‘ Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Peter Welch ‘ today announced $153,000 in federal funds to provide permanent housing and support services to 25 homeless Vermont veterans.
The funds will bring 25 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers to Vermont to cover the cost of qualifying rental apartments for homeless veterans. The vouchers will allow veterans to move from homelessness or temporary shelter into more permanent housing. Today’s announcement brings the total number of VASH vouchers in Vermont to 120.
Leahy said, ‘We train our men and women for service and supply them during conflict, and we owe them our continuing support when they return home.’

by Alan Panebaker vtdigger.orgThe state of Vermont and its two largest utilities are one step closer to an agreement that could seal the deal for an historic merger.

Mr Jefferson’s Economics’ is the topic of the next progam in the Sheraton Economic Series, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at the University Amphitheature,Sheraton Burlington Conference Center, 7:30 pm.
Former Ethan Allen Institute President John McClaughry, a lifelong student of Jefferson’s thought, will examine Jefferson’s economic thinking and how his principles might relate to today’s far different global economy. John will be introduced by former Gov. Jim Douglas.
The program is open to the public and reservations are not necessary.
The program is hosted by the Sheraton Burlington and cosponsored by the Ethan Allen Institute, Vermont Economy Newsletter, Vermont Business Magazaine, True North Reports, Vermont Tiger, the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Jefferson Legacy Foundation.

The LCBP is pleased to announce the 2012 Local Implementation Grant programs. The LCBP anticipates awarding more than 40 grants, designed to help implement Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin. Project categories include pollution prevention, aquatic invasive species spread prevention, shoreline restoration and habitat improvement, and education and outreach initiatives. Funds have been made available to the LCBP through the efforts of Senator Patrick Leahy and other members of the Vermont and New York Congressional Delegation, from the International Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Maximum grant awards, depending on the category, will range from $7,500 to $15,000.

Laureate Learning Systems, Inc., a leading developer of special education software, recently received a $1.6 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) to develop research-based vocabulary intervention software for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other communication disorders.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org March 26, 2012 This year, the revenue minus spending equation has been a little more complicated to perform, thanks to Tropical Storm Irene, which added a great deal of expense and difficult decision-making to the usual formula.
But as of this week, the House will finish putting the money bill puzzle pieces together, and once that is finished, lawmakers will see a clear path to adjournment one month hence.
Last week, the House passed the $1.3 billion Big Bill, and the largest transportation budget in the state’s history ‘ $639 million.
This week lawmakers finish up on two other key pieces of financial legislation ‘ the miscellaneous tax and the capital budget bills.