The Vermont Chamber of Commerce recently announced three new hires, including Middlebury Selectperson Isabel Gogarty as the organization’s program associate. Gogarty until recently served as wellness educator at Middlebury Union Middle School. “Isabel’s ability to launch initiatives like the Chamber’s upcoming Vermont National Civics Bee and her expertise in organizing impactful events make her an invaluable addition to the Chamber’s mission of driving statewide economic progress,” reads a Chamber press release announcing the appointment. Also joining the state Chamber’s staff were Emily Hurd as marketing & communications director, and Maggie Talty as tourism marketing & sales associate.

The Middlebury area’s unemployment rate spiked from 1.8% in October to 2.4% in November, according to a report released by the Vermont Department of Labor (DOL). The county’s workforce was placed at 19,408, of which 459 were jobless and looking for work, according to the DOL. Middlebury’s November rate mirrors that of the state, which was also tabulated at 2.4% — a bump of one-tenth of one percentage point compared to October. The November unemployment rates for Vermont’s 17 labor market areas ranged from 2.1% in Burlington-South Burlington and White River Junction to 3.3% in Derby. Meanwhile, the comparable U.S. rate in November was 4.2%, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from October.

 The Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF) has just received a $62,750 state grant it will use to “engage and inspire individuals to take advantage of adaptive-accessible mountain biking opportunities throughout Vermont,” according to a press release from the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing. Launched in the name of Middlebury College alumna Kelly Brush after she sustained a spinal cord injury in a 2006 NCAA alpine ski race, the KBF is dedicated to ski racing safety and promoting active lifestyles for those who’ve experienced spinal cord injuries. The $62,750 grant was among a combined total of 16 awards through the state’s “Transformational Tourism, Events, and Regional Marketing (T-TERM) Grant Program.” The T-TERM grant program was created to help events and communities offering unique visitor experiences to expand and/or market themselves to attract more out-of-state visitors and increase overnight stays.

Snow will accumulate during the coming weeks, and the U.S. Forest Service wants to encourage all snowmobile riders to put safety first out. Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) officials are advising snowmobilers to be careful, heed all gates and signs, and stay off roads and trails that are closed.  Weather permitting, snowmobile use is allowed on designated trails within the GMNF for four months, from Dec. 16, 2024, to April 15, 2025. The GMNF and the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) maintain more than 345 miles of National Forest System trails that are part of the larger statewide snowmobile network. The maximum speed is 35 miles per hour on state and federal land. The U.S. Forest Service is also warning the public of the dangers associated with riding, hiking and skiing on frozen water.  Operators must maintain control of their snowmobile while riding, keep to the right at all times, wear helmets, and stay on designated trails only. All snowmobiles must be legally registered, have liability insurance, and operators must purchase a VAST Trails Maintenance Assessment decal. Riders are encouraged to pack a flashlight, cellphone, food, and extra warm clothing in case of an emergency. Trail users are encouraged to visit the VAST trail update at vtvast.org/trails for specifics on trail conditions and closures.

 Vermont 2025 hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses, as well as the 2025 regulations for these activities, are now available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com) and wherever licenses are sold. With ice fishing opening around the state as soon as cold temperatures arrive in January, Vermonters are encouraged to pick up their 2025 licenses at the earliest convenience.  Existing five-year, permanent or lifetime licenses can be updated online beginning Jan. 1. “License sales have helped pay for some of Vermont’s greatest conservation successes,” said Interim Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Andrea Shortsleeve, “from managing habitat for game species like the white-tailed deer and black bear to protecting habitat for nongame species like bald eagles and common loons.” License buyers can also easily add a $15 Habitat Stamp to their purchase to further support habitat conservation in Vermont. Printed copies of the 2025 Hunting & Trapping Lawbook and the 2025 Fishing Lawbook are available from license agents statewide. The department’s website has links to online versions as well.

State officials recently compiled Vermont’s revenue collections for November, revealing that the General, Transportation and Education Fund receipts were a combined $223.7 million, exceeding the $221.9 million monthly consensus target by $1.8 million, or 0.8%. Total General Fund revenues were $136.3 million — $100,000 less than anticipated, according to Vermont Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark. Revenues in the Transportation Fund exceeded their $23.1 million November consensus target by $1.4 million, or 6.1%, yielding $24.5 million in total with all component revenues exceeding their individual targets, she said. Monthly Education Fund revenues of $62.8 million were $0.5 million, or 0.9%, above their November $62.3 million cash flow target. According to Clark: “Although the General Fund did sustain a marginal miss to its consensus target this month, it remains $64.8 million above its cumulative expected earnings for the year, and the Transportation Fund is also exceeding cumulative expectations by $4.3 million. Even with the Education Fund currently lagging its cumulative target the state remains in a strong financial position as it approaches the mid-point of the fiscal year.