This commentary is by Kevin Chu, Executive Director of the Vermont Futures Project Personal growth is universally celebrated. We encourage people to pursue education, seek professional development, and advance in their endeavors. We applaud entrepreneurs who take risks, innovate, and build successful enterprises. We praise people who overcome adversity and become more resilient in the … Read more
Montpelier, VT (January 29, 2025) –Yesterday, the Vermont Futures Project announced the launch of its much-anticipated Economic Action Plan, a comprehensive, data-informed roadmap designed to address Vermont’s workforce and housing challenges and secure a prosperous future for the state. It was shaped by public engagement with over 5,000 Vermonters across all 14 counties. The plan … Read more
It’s that time of the year again! United Van Lines and U-Haul have published their annual studies on migration patterns. We begin with our interpretation of the study results followed by summaries of the data below. It’s important to remember that these studies analyze proprietary data based only on the utilization of their respective services. … Read more
This is part three of a four-part series that explores how population changes can impact key aspects of the Vermont economy. In part one and two we discussed the importance of age composition and workforce participation on the Vermont economy. Part three looks deeper into how a changing Age Dependency Ratio may impact the Vermont … Read more
FILL IN THE BLANKS Vermont is a ______ state to do business, and it is ranked _______ compared to other states in our region. Were your answers on the positive or negative end of the spectrum? What factors did you consider when coming up with your answers? COMPARE YOUR ANSWERS The 2022 results of CNBC’s … Read more
In true Vermont fashion we have come together, regardless of political party, on the top threats facing our state. From the State House to the kitchen table, Vermonters agree that something must be done to fix the workforce and housing crises. The data circulated in recent months has rapidly become common knowledge; 26,000 open jobs, 2.2% unemployment, … Read more
The Quality of Place pillar is the next one to receive attention, focusing on the goal to build or retrofit 5,000 homes annually. We began this discussion at the Economic Conference in January with Board member Leslee MacKenzie moderating a panel featuring Maura Collins of Vermont Housing Finance Agency and Jonathan Slason, a data analyst … Read more
