Vermont Business Magazine After a slight drop last week, unemployment claims increased last week. They've been bouncing up and down this spring. Claims for the week of April 13, 2019, rose from a relatively average level of 519 to 698 last week. Weekly unemployment claims were also 73 higher than they were at this time last year.

Vermont Business Magazine On the evening of April 18th, the Burlington Board of School Commissioners unanimously ratified a contract agreement with Paraeducators in the District for the 2019-2020 school year. "We are glad to see the continued collaboration between the para's BEA bargaining team, the board, and the District has resulted in the collective bargaining process resolving much sooner than in previous years," said Superintendent Obeng and Board Chair Clare Wool in a joint statement.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Glove (GMG) of Randolph has been granted $6,330 from the State of Vermont, Vermont Training Program (VTP). This grant will allow GMG to train skilled leather sewers and meet increasing demand. More specifically, the company will develop and implement their own workforce processes congruent with robust quality assurance programs. The training will also position them to obtain ISO 9001 certification (International Standards Organization), which will enable them to break into new markets.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott signed new legislation into law strengthening Vermont’s captive regulation in a variety of areas. This year’s bill proposed several updates to Vermont’s leading captive law, including modifications to the captive examination schedule and improvements to the statute governing group captive investments. The many enhancements included in this year’s bill highlight the state’s ability to work closely in partnership with Vermont’s Governor and state legislature to ensure its captive law remains the industry gold standard.

Vermont Business Magazine The Champlain Housing Trust announced today that it had closed on the permanent financing for its efforts to transform the St. Joseph School into the Old North End Community Center. The $8.8 million transaction secured $2.6 million in federal tax credits by leveraging several other local funding sources. CHT will now initiate construction and ensure that rents remain affordable for the nonprofit tenants and public uses. Just two weeks ago the Trust announced a lead gift of $500,000 from Trey and Dominique Pecor. Since then, $90,000 in donations have come in, leaving just $110,000 to raise from the community to finalize the $8.8 million project.