Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 1.8 percent in July. This is the lowest rate ever recorded in the state. The comparable United States rate in July was 3.5 percent, a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised June estimate. The seasonally adjusted Vermont data for July show the Vermont civilian labor force increased by 728 from the prior month’s revised estimate. The number of employed persons increased by 1,157 and the number of unemployed persons decreased by 429. The changes to the number of employed persons, the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate were statistically significant in the seasonally adjusted series. The civilian labor force participation rate was 63.9 percent in July, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. Vermont is tied for the second lowest rate in the nation. 

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Department of Labor has extended the application deadline for the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Program to ensure that Vermonters affected by the recent flooding can access these important benefits. Individuals within all affected counties now have until September 29, 2023, to file their initial claims. The following counties are eligible for DUA: Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has sent a letter to Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, and Representative Becca Balint with an urgent request for their support to establish a Natural Disaster Paycheck Protection Program. A Natural Disaster Paycheck Protection Program would provide crucial support to businesses in the wake of climate-induced disasters.

Vermont Business Magazine Since its installation at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, the MedSafe collection box has facilitated retrieval of 2,600 pounds of unwanted and expired medications. The very first collection was conducted on August 16, 2017. SVMC is the first non-law enforcement 24-hour disposal location in the state of Vermont. The box features a one-way medicine drop and can be used to dispose of unused or expired controlled substances, non-controlled substances, and even over-the-counter medications.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets One month after a devasting flood the economic reality is becoming clearer.  Vermont’s farmers, agricultural businesses, and communities sustained millions of dollars in damage and face strong head winds to recover.  The @VTAgencyofAg dashboard reports nearly $15 million in losses & 21,000 acres damaged to 236 farmers.

Vermont Business Magazine If your privately owned road or bridge was damaged or destroyed by Vermont’s July severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may be able to provide financial assistance for replacement or repairs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation will conduct aerial survey activities over the Burlington-Winooski Bridge, which carries US Routes 2 and 7 (Main Street in Winooski to the north and Riverside Avenue in Burlington to the south) over the Winooski River between the cities of Burlington and Winooski. The survey activities will be completed using a helicopter flying at low altitude on Saturday, August 19, 2023, weather-dependent. The rain date is planned for Sunday, August 20, 2023. The survey flights are expected to require two brief closures of the bridge for 10-15 minutes for all users for safety reasons. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), in partnership with the Addison County Regional Planning Commission (ACRPC), has launched a public survey for the Vergennes Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study. People who live, work or travel through northern Addison County are invited to complete the brief survey to share opinions and help the study team understand issues important to you when evaluating options to reduce the impacts of truck traffic on VT Route 22A in Downtown Vergennes. Transportation solutions being evaluated at this time include new roadways, improvements to existing roadways as well as the option that traffic flows do not change. The proposed solutions are located in the following municipalities – Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Waltham, Weybridge, Panton, Addison and New Haven.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.81 per gallon, up 3 cents per gallon from last week, up 23 cents/g from last month and down 44 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state is $3.49/g in Ludlow while the highest is $3.99/g in Arlington. The national average price of gasoline has risen 3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.84/g today. Supply pressures could drive prices even higher by Labor Day.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $10 million in low-interest disaster loans for Vermonters whose property was damaged or destroyed by the July flooding. Approved loan funds, which totaled $10,108,000 as of close of business August 15, will assist 223 businesses, homeowners and renters repair, rebuild and recover. Applications are still being processed, and the amount of money that will be made available to disaster survivors will increase in the days and weeks ahead.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) sent a letter today to the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), calling on the office to study interagency data collection on areas of the country that are unserved or underserved by water and wastewater infrastructure. By some estimates, more than 2 million Americans lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation. This study will shed light on an often-neglected issue and prepare lawmakers to better address water and wastewater needs.  

Vermont Business Magazine Through a partnership between Vermont River Conservancy and the Barre River Access Task Force, a group of 18 volunteers met on Saturday, August 12th, at Rotary Park in Barre to reconstruct a ½ mile trail that leads to a spectacular waterfall on the Stevens Branch River. The July flood destroyed much of the trail, redistributing rocks, gravel, sand, and debris that made the trail unclear and unsafe. Volunteers hauled out a ½ ton of plastic, fabric, and tires from the floodplain, moved rocks to become stepping stones, and resurfaced the trail tread so that anglers, swimmers, photographers, and picnickers can now safely and clearly find their way to the falls, leaving the rest of the floodplain to regrow vegetation.