Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor today reported that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for June was 2.1%. This reflects no change from the prior month’s revised estimate. Vermont is tied for the second lowest rate in the nation with North Dakota. South Dakota has the lowest rate (2.0%), while Nevada and California have the highest rates (5.2%). The comparable United States rate in June was 4.1%, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised May estimate. The civilian labor force participation rate was 65.7% in June, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. Due to a global technology outage, there will be a delay in updating the VTLMI.info website. Information will be updated once available.

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday night, workers at the Starbucks coffee shop in Essex voted 16 to 6 to join Starbucks Workers United. The Essex partners join a growing nationwide movement of 10,500 baristas at 460+ stores working together to bring collective bargaining to the workplace, including protections for core issues like partner equity, living wages, fair scheduling practices, and employee expectations. The organizing campaign has won election after election in stores nationwide.  

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims rose slightly last week. For the week ending July 13, 2024, new claims were 305, mostly back to their usual summer lows. Service claims remain somewhat elevated, but Manufacturing claims are at their typically low level after a spike in June. The Vermont Department of Labor said because of the timing of the report, these claims are not affected by the July 10 floods that hit central and northeast Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation is holding a second public meeting to present plans for improvements to North Hero State Park, located in North Hero, Vermont. The meeting will be held from 5:30 pm to 7 pm on August 8, 2024, at Knight Point State Park. The revisioning of North Hero State Park proposes improvements to the day use experience, including accessibility, safety, and stormwater management improvements, while removing infrastructure and revegetating areas that supported previous campground operations.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Brewers Festival is THIS Weekend, July 19-20! Burlington, VT - This weekend, more than 6,000 craft beer enthusiasts are set to experience the 31st Vermont Brewers Festival at Waterfront Park from July 19th-20th. Organized by the Vermont Brewers Association (VBA), which has been hosting this event since 1991, this year’s event will showcase 32 Vermont Breweries, along with 11 breweries from out-of-state and Canada. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample over 200 different beers over the two days, including many exclusive and collaborative beers. All proceeds of the Vermont Brewers Festival go to support the Vermont Brewers Association, a 501c6 non-profit founded in 1995 to promote and strengthen the culture of craft brewing in Vermont through marketing, education, and advocacy for Vermont made beer. 

Vermont Business Magazine Wednesday, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) toured flood damage from the remnants of Tropical Storm Beryl, which impacted communities across Vermont. Senator Welch heard from residents and local community leaders in Hardwick about the challenges of recovering from last week’s flooding while still rebuilding from the July 2023 floods. Senator Welch also surveyed flood damage at the wastewater treatment facility and a local farm, where the Lamoille River took out a bridge leading to one of the region’s leading providers of local produce. 

VT DMV Enforcement and Safety responded to a report of a commercial motor vehicle versus pedestrian crash with injuries at the Casella transfer station in East Montpelier. Upon arrival, Zebulon Maynard, 42 of Duxbury, VT had been transported from the scene by EMS. During the investigation it was learned that Ryan Myers, 35 of Colchester, VT, was operating a 2018 Western Star roll-off container truck and was backing into the transfer station. 

Vermont Business Magazine Over the next four days, the American Red Cross will host emergency disaster supply distribution sites in several communities across Vermont. At these sites, Red Cross volunteers will be handing out water and clean-up kits. These kits contain: bucket, cleaner (typically bleach), mask, gloves, garbage bags, brush, mop, brooms, squeegee and handles. All Red Cross assistance is provided free of charge and made possible by the generosity of the public.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that John Turner, 53, of Milton, Vermont, was indicted on federal charges alleging that Turner conspired with others in July 2019 to possess stolen firearms. He was arrested on those charges and arraigned on the indictment on July 17, 2024. He was released on conditions. If convicted, Turner faces a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000. According to court records, Tuner conspired with others to steal several firearms from a residence in Colchester, Vermont. Those firearms included four handguns. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.47 per gallon, unchanged from last week. They are 3 cents/g higher than last month and 11 cents/g lower than last year. The lowest price in the state is $3.15/g in Middlebury, while the highest was $3.89/g in Island Pond. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.50/g today. The national average is up 5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont State Police A Vermont Superior Court judge Wednesday afternoon signed an arrest warrant for Jakiy Tramaine Corey Keith, 24, of Hartford, Connecticut, arising from the Feb. 2 shooting death of Kayla Wright. The warrant approved by Judge Rory Thibault is for a charge of first-degree murder and carries a bail amount of $250,000. Keith remains in custody on federal drug charges, and the timing of his arraignment in the Vermont murder case is unclear.

Vermont Business Magazine Working Fields has surpassed the $2M mark in equity funding from investors to support its regional expansion. As a mission-driven staffing agency and benefit corporation, Working Fields strengthens communities using a unique peer support model to increase access to employment for marginalized populations and connect local employers with dedicated job seekers. Since its inception in 2017, Working Fields has helped over 3,000 people with employment opportunities at more than 100 companies. Headquartered in Vermont, operating and actively expanding across New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, Working Fields has received funding from 26 national and New England-based investors to accelerate its growth in the Northeast