News

-A A +A

News

PAI: Employment is iffy, but the state tax system is improving

Sat, 10/20/2018 - 4:26am -- tim

by Paul Cillo, Public Assets Institute After growing steadily for the first half of the year, Vermont employment has fallen for the last three months. The number of Vermonters working, including the self-employed, rose to almost 340,000 in June—an increase of more than 4,600 since December 2017. Since then, however, employment declined by nearly 2,300, erasing half of the 2018 gains. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed Vermonters has been ticking up since March,  although it remains below 2017 levels.

Scott proclaims October 19 as 'Vermont Future Business Leaders of America and Distributive Education Clubs of America Day' in Vermont

Fri, 10/19/2018 - 7:40pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed a proclamation designating October 19 as Vermont Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Day in Vermont, recognizing the organizations’ commitment to developing a skilled future workforce of Vermont students.

Investigation underway following officer-involved shooting in Pownal Thursday night

Fri, 10/19/2018 - 4:51pm -- tim

Vermont State Police The Vermont State Police is identifying Trooper Thomas Sandberg as the trooper who discharged his firearm during the encounter with Mr Bernard Rougeau Thursday night. Trooper Sandberg, 23, was hired by the Vermont State Police in July 2017, and he was assigned to the Shaftsbury Barracks in January 2018. Albany Medical Center in New York is reporting that Mr Rougeau’s condition has been stabilized.

Scott, Welch to represent state at christening of USS Vermont on Saturday

Fri, 10/19/2018 - 3:46pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Congressman Peter Welch will represent Vermont at the christening of the USS Vermont on Saturday, October 20 in Groton, Connecticut. The Virginia-class submarine will commemorate the history between the US Navy and the State of Vermont. It will be the third vessel named after the state in the history of the US Navy.

Unemployment rate up one-tenth to 2.9 percent in September

Fri, 10/19/2018 - 2:35pm -- tim

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for September was 2.9 percent. This reflects an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised August rate. The rate had been unchanged since February. The rate has not gone up officially since April 2009 (6.7 percent to 6.9 percent), resulting from the Great Recession. However, because of the nature of these numbers, they could be further adjusted, which could result in a lowering of the rate, as has happened before. Data for the labor force and number employed fell by nearly an identical amount, while the number of unemployed was virtually unchanged.

Weekly unemployment claims edge up again

Fri, 10/19/2018 - 2:34pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims increased last week for the second straight week, but remain low. For the week of October 13, 2018, there were 372 claims, 42 more than than they were the previous week, but 35 fewer than they were a year ago. Altogether 2,403 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 30 from a week ago, and 167 fewer than a year ago. For most weeks of 2017 and 2018 claims have been below the year before. Vermont, like the nation as a whole, currently is locked into a historically low period of unemployment.

State and UVM officials visit farms and food producers in Canada

Thu, 10/18/2018 - 4:56pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is clearing a path for a new tasting trail that will encompass two countries, two states, and two provinces. A collaborative effort among officials from Vermont, New York, Quebec, and Ontario will link authentic farms and food experiences across the region. On Tuesday, officials from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM), the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM), University of Vermont (UVM) Extension, and the Vermont Fresh Network joined partners from around the region on a Canadian Culinary Tour to learn more about agritourism efforts and opportunities for farms and food producers.

Berkshire Hills reports 40 percent increase in 3Q earnings

Thu, 10/18/2018 - 4:49pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: BHLB) reported third quarter 2018 net income of $32 million, a 40% increase over $23 million in the third quarter of 2017 due primarily to the benefit of business growth including expansion in Greater Boston through acquisition and business development. Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank, with branches in southwestern Vermont.

Statement from Governor Scott on defending net neutrality

Thu, 10/18/2018 - 4:20pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine A group of national cable and telecom organizations is expected to file suit against the State of Vermont today regarding a law passed in the previous session and an Executive Order issued by the Governor protecting net neutrality in Vermont. Governor Phil Scott issued the following statement: “Our net neutrality legislation and my Executive Order demonstrate a clear commitment from Vermont’s elected officials, across branches and party lines, to preserving and promoting a free and open internet in Vermont...

Mount Snow begins snowmaking

Thu, 10/18/2018 - 4:12pm -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Mother Nature has turned up the cold and Mount Snow in Windham County has turned on the jets and started making snow this week. Update from Mount Snow on Thursday October 18: "We turned on the most powerful snowmaking system in the Northeast and started making snow last night around 9 pm and with that winter has returned to the Green Mountains of Vermont. As you might remember, we just finished a $30M upgrade to our snowmaking system at the start of last season, which doubled our capacity to make snow and increased our water storage six-fold, and once again it’s paying off BIG!"

Killington will open Friday

Thu, 10/18/2018 - 10:49am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, is scheduled to kick off its 2018-19 winter season at 10 on Friday, October 19, 2018, becoming the first Eastern resort to open for skiing and snowboarding. The first turns of the season, on Friday, October 19, will be reserved exclusively for Season Pass, Express Card, Beast365 and Ikon Pass holders. The resort will open to the general public on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 9 am. Killington’s operating schedule for the remainder of the week will be updated in real time at www.killington.com/conditions.

Bundled 'Planet Pass' makes it easier for individuals to support environmental causes

Thu, 10/18/2018 - 7:22am -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine 1% for the Planet is excited to announce My Planet Pass, a new program modeled after popular multi-mountain ski pass programs with the goal of increasing individual engagement with the environmental movement. With one easy transaction, My Planet Pass holders become 1% for the Planet members as well members of Protect our Winters (POW), TreeSisters, National Forest Foundation, Save the Waves Coalition, and Slow Food.

Pages