Vermont unemployment rate inches up for June

MONTPELIER - Vermont’s unemployment rate ticked up 0.3 of a percent in June to 4.4 percent, the Department of Labor announced Friday.
The national June unemployment was 7.6 percent.
June represents the second consecutive monthly increase in the statewide unemployment rate.
The department said last year’s initial data also showed a similar increase during May and June.
“The Vermont economy is showing a bit of changeability this month, which appear to be linked to specific employment issues,” Commissioner Annie Noonan said. “While the state’s revenues remain strong, we saw the layoff of IBM workers.”
In the aftermath of the IBM layoff of 419 workers, Noonan said a job fair this week attracted more than 85 employers looking for qualified workers. She also said there is progress in the Northeast Kingdom with its EB-5 visa project.