Current News

Job counts decline slightly in September. Unemployment moves up three - tenths to 5.2%

October 21, 2008

"The nation's housing and financial services crisis continues to impact Vermont's labor market. Seasonally adjusted employment improved a bit in September, but the unemployment rate ticked up to 5.2%."

Patricia Moulton PowdenCommissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor

Vermont Labor Force Statistics

Seasonally Adjusted

September2008
August2008
September2007

Total Labor Force
353,300
351,100
352,600

Employment
334,900
333,800
339,000

Unemployment
18,300
17,300
13,600

Week Ending October 18, 2008
There were 801 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 65 from the week before. Altogether 6,542 new and continuing claims were filed, 486 more than a week ago and 1,919 more than a year earlier. In addition, the Department processed 1,197 claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008, a decrease of 681 from last week.
The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/

Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at:
http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc

Ecopixel, a Web development and online visibility firm in Essex Junction, launched a new Web site in early October for the Vermont League of Conservation Voters (VLCV) in Montpelier.
Ecopixel designed a content management system-based site for the nonprofit association, which serves as the non-partisan political voice of the state's environmental community. The site (www.vlcv.org) features sortable environmental "scorecards" for Vermont legislators, up-to-date lists of endorsed candidates and an integrated e-newsletter system which allows Web visitors to register to receive news that affects their specific county or counties of interest. VLCV staff then tailor the e-mails sent to different counties for increased impact. An October e-mail and Web announcement of VLCV's 2008 environmental scorecard received a strong response rate, VLCV Executive Director Todd Bailey said.

Clean Technology Wood Boilers Presented by EPA at Vermont Event
When: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Public Open House: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Speaker Program: 10:30 am
What: Clean technology outdoor wood boilers will be on display at an event hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. These agencies are encouraging people to replace old, dirty-burning wood boilers with more efficient heaters, like those manufactured by Greenwood Technologies.
Clean technology outdoor wood boilers produce up to 88 percent less smoke and are far more efficient.
CHANGEOUT INCENTIVES

VEDA, IN COOPERATION WITH EFFICIENCY VERMONT, LAUNCHES NEW BUSINESS ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LOAN PROGRAM
$1 Million in Low-Interest Loan Funds Available
Montpelier, VT - Effective immediately, the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), in cooperation with Efficiency Vermont (EVT), is accepting applications from eligible Vermont businesses for loans to fund the cost of energy conservation projects certified as cost-effective by EVT. Up to $1 million is available in the new, low-interest Vermont Business Energy Conservation Loan Program.

Employers Receive Awards for Wellness at Work
Burlington A record 48 Vermont work sites received awards this month for their work site wellness programs. The awards, given annually by the Vermont Governors Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, honor employers that support staff access to physical fitness activities and promote good health on and off the job. The council and Governor Jim Douglas presented the awards at a Work Site Wellness Conference at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington on October 7.

groSolar Signs Exclusive North American Distribution Agreement
With Leading PV Inverter Manufacturer Motech Industries
San Diego, CA- groSolar, North America's premier provider of solar energy solutions, has announced an agreement with Motech Industries, Inc. of Taiwan. The agreement provides groSolar with the exclusive right to distribute Motech's industry-leading PV inverters to their expansive network of premium solar dealers across North America.

Institute for Sustainable Communities Launches $4 million U.S.-China Partnership

Chinese government delegation will visit Vermont on October 20
to tour energy-efficient facilities and sign an agreement with ISC.
ISC's program will reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
in Guangdong province, China's 'Factory to the World.'
Montpelier, Vermont, October 20, 2008- Officials from the Guangdong Economic and Trade Commission are in Vermont today to sign an agreement with the Institute for Sustainable Communities, which has launched a $4 million U.S.-China partnership to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the southern province of Guangdong.

U.S Forest Service turns to Cow Power

People's United Financial Reports Third Quarter Earnings of $46 Million or $0.14 Per Share

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League of Conservation Voters Releases 2008 National Environmental Scorecard
Full Scorecard Available at http://www.lcv.org/scorecard
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The League of
Conservation Voters, which works to turn environmental values into national
priorities, today released the 2008 National Environmental Scorecard. For
30 years, the non-partisan National Environmental Scorecard from LCV has
been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate Members of Congress on
conservation and energy issues.
LCV President Gene Karpinski announced the release of LCV's 2008
National Environmental Scorecard today, saying: "This scorecard reflects
more clearly than perhaps ever before that America is truly at a crossroads
when it comes to our energy future. In the face of gas prices that shot

Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Declaration and
Earnings Release Calendar
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT-Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBVT), the parent company of Merchants Bank, announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of 28 cents per share, payable November 13, 2008, to shareholders of record as of October 30, 2008. Merchants plans to release earnings on or about October 30, 2008.