The Small Business Administration Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its 2019 small business awards. The awards recognize businesses for their contributions to their local communities and to the economy. The award categories are: Small Business Person of the Year Exporter of the Year Family-Owned Business of the Year Woman-Owned Small Business of the […]
On the Wire | News & Analysis from the Web for the Week of October 22
The Ex-Im Bank Is a Critical Tool in Checking China’s Ambitions. It’s Time to Get It Operating Again. Shopfloor 10/26 “The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) joins members of both parties in applauding Congress’ passage of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 (BUILD Act) as part of the recent broader […]
Vermont Launches New Innovation Grant Program
Agency of Commerce & Community Development Secretary Michael Schirling announced the launch of the ThinkVermont Innovation Grant Program during the second annual Innovation Spaces Conference at Vermont Technical College. The ThinkVermont Innovation Grant Program, proposed by the Scott Administration and passed in partnership with the Legislature, was created to respond to the growth needs of […]
On the Wire | News & Analysis from the Web for the Week of October 15
Job openings pass 7 million for the first time. The Hill 10/16 “U.S. employers had over seven million unfilled jobs on the last business day in August for the first time on record, according to numbers the Labor Department released Tuesday. . . .” There Are Still 488,000 Unfilled Manufacturing Jobs in the U.S. Manufacturers Are Working to […]
Vermont Labor Market
The Department of Labor announced that the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for September was 2.9%. This reflects an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised August rate. The national rate in September was 3.7%. As of the prior month’s preliminary data, the Burlington-South Burlington Metropolitan NECTA was tied for the twenty-first lowest […]
On the Wire | News & Analysis from the Web for the Week of October 8
Here’s exactly how Trump’s trade war with China could affect you. Markets Insider 10/12 “A trade war between the US and China has been heating up for much of this year, and it could have huge impacts on the US economy. . . .” ‘Expensive energy is back’ — and it’s threatening the global economy, IEA […]
Action Alert | Preparing for Chemical Issues Facing Vermont Manufacturers
Regulation of chemicals and related matters, including new financial and legal liabilities, were major issues in the State House during the last legislative session, even more so than in recent years. Although AIV and our coalition of stakeholders were ultimately successful in helping to forestall potentially damaging legislation, it can be expected that manufacturers and […]
Action Alert | Preparing for Labor and Workplace Issues Facing Vermont Manufacturers
Several labor and workplace proposals were major issues in the State House during the last legislative session. Although AIV and our allies were ultimately successful in helping to forestall potentially costly legislation, it can be expected that key issues will return to center stage in the new Legislature and additional issues will need to be […]
Vermont Workers’ Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation Final Proposed Rules Filed
The final proposed rules for Workers’ Compensation Vocational Rehabilitation have been filed with the Secretary of State’s office and the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR). The rules are tentatively on the LCAR agenda for October 18. The link to the final proposal can be found here: http://labor.vermont.gov/legal-information/proposed-rules/. It is the next to last rule […]
Reduction in Taxable Wage Base for Unemployment Insurance Announced for 2019
On October 4, the Department of Labor announced that, beginning January 1, 2019, employers will see a reduction in the taxable wage base amount that they currently pay on unemployment taxes by $2,000. Nearly 22,600 employers remit state unemployment taxes to the Department of Labor on an annual basis. These taxes are deposited into the […]