Politics

New Hampshire, known for its stunning fall foliage, its motto of “Live Free or Die,” and its historically low unemployment rate, has recently faced a more complex economic reality. While the state’s unemployment rate hovers around 2.6%, the small city of Keene stands out with a significantly higher rate. This disparity begs the question: Why does Keene have the highest unemployment rate in New Hampshire?

Areas of the Windham County economy have improved, and there is change in the business landscape. VermontBiz Windam County’s shifting, transitioning and eclectic economy has claimed another victim: Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, a multigenerational business in downtown Brattleboro, closed its flagship store at Flat and Main streets in April, just seven months after M&T Bank shuttered its nearby branch at the corner of Elliot and Main.

VermontBiz Windham County’s economy has a little bit of everything from large manufacturers such as Sonnax or wholesalers such as G&S Wholesale, so smaller startups, artisan food products, arts organizations, and higher education. Here, a few business owners and nonprofit leaders share their experiences working in the Southeastern Vermont economy.

Discussions over where casinos belong in Keene are continuing at City Hall, as staff work to develop a zoning ordinance that would determine their placement. After the city council voted in February to send the ordinance back to the drawing board so more details could be ironed out, it’s been the subject of a pair of joint meetings between the council’s Planning, Licenses and Development Committee and the Keene Planning Board.

VermontBiz Bellows Falls’ rich industrial history and vision for the future will be celebrated in the dedication of the recently installed Robertson Paper Mill Historic Interpretive Kiosk, presented by Bellows Falls Area Development Corporation (BFADC) and Town of Rockingham. The public is warmly invited to the dedication which will take place on Wednesday, June 5th at 5:00 pm at the former location of Robertson Paper at 21 Island Street on the island in Bellows Falls.

In May 2023 a tenant moved into a Brattleboro,VT home with a shelter plus care voucher even though the tenant knew the placement was not for them. The tenant and client of Pathways of VT kept telling her caseworkers and Kathy Pall the unit was not suitable and that the lease was signed under duress as she was part of the Emergency Housing Program and had to accept the first available unit or wind up being exited from the program. At that same time the tenant was facing exiting the program in June as she worked for the hotel she stayed in. Kathy Pall did not start having applications submitted until November. The tenant also received services for mental health medications through Dr.Williamson of Pathways of VT. When Dr.Williamson went on leave of absence and was to return and have an appt with the client the appointment never occurred causing disassociative episodes anger and violence as the client came off of her medication for PTSD,.Anxiety, and Depression with a history of Bipolar. This caused her partner and caregiver to get into disputes. In January 2024 she was placed into inpatient care at a nearby facility due to the disassociative episode. The tenant requested to be moved after the incident and was given the run around by Terri N. of Pathways. The landlord does not want to renew the lease and has said she must be out by May 31,2024 without a no cause eviction process the tenant is being advised she cannot return to the emergency housing program. The lease signed by the tenant has various areas that are easily misleading and against the ADA. The landlord has also not fixed a leak in the ceiling that occurred last June during the rain. Tenant has always been up to date on Rent. The landlord has also given bad reviews for noise complaints to new prospect landlords that relate to domestic violence and a drop of a dog toy as well as heavy foot walking. The tenant is disabled mentally and physically. Some issues stemming from long term Covid19 Pnemonia ARDS and intubation. The only support Pathways of VT is giving the tenant is boxes to move out with.

BF A004(152) No traffic impacts are anticipated on Vermont Route 142 next week, however the work zone remains active and motorists should watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the work site. Due to current work on New Hampshire Route 119 associated with the project, vehicles traveling eastbound into New...

WASHINGTON (WCAX) - Vermont Sen. Peter Welch is applauding almost $6.4 million coming to Vermont through brownfield grants. It’s a move from the Biden administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up brownfield sites, which are areas targeted for redevelopment because of industrial contamination. Springfield and St. Johnsbury...

LONDONDERRY, Vt. – At the May 20 Londonderry Selectboard meeting, the board received a resignation letter, heard public concern on the proposed zoning bylaws, and set a date for the bylaw public hearing. The board also acknowledged a hazardous waste collection on June 1, and heard from Chrissy Haskins...

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In an effort to grow Keene’s housing supply amid a statewide shortage, city councilors Thursday (May 16) voted unanimously to allow cottage courts in certain zones of the city. City officials hope the change will diversify the kinds of units developers can build, thereby offering more places to live.

I first met Jim Carr about 25 years ago in Bellows Falls. Jim was always walking on Atkinson Street. Over time we became friendly. Jim is 98. One day I was having a yard sale on Atkinson Street when Jim stopped in. On a table I had a few books for sale. I was standing beside Jim as he thumbed through a World War II book. Jim turned a page. On the two facing pages were Hurtgen Forest battle photos. Jim looked at them and said, “Yes.” Jim was there as a replacement in the 28th Division.

(802) 251 – 8115. Brooks Memorial Library (Community Room), 224 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Brattleboro is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcKlV4Z3nF. AGENDA. I. Convene, quorum check. II. Approve Minutes of April Meeting. III. Welcome & Introductions/Check-in [10 mins]. IV. Purpose and...

Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose. Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary. Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. Peter Graves’ Questions: Mr. Graves put in a request...

BRATTLEBORO-It was a tough legislative session with lots of action, reaction, traction, and factions, and it made Gov. Phil Scott so uneasy he said it convinced him to run for a fifth term in office. Windham County's legislators were in the thick of it from start to finish. The session...

The Power of Dignity: A Community Conversation on Substance Use, Stigma, Harm Reduction, Narcan Training at Putney Public Library. Tuesday, June 4th at 6:30 PM Location: Putney Public Library. Substance use impacts everyone. Join a free community discussion about:. Understanding addiction & treatment. Supporting those struggling. Harm reduction strategies. Importance...

Vermont Sen. Peter Welch praises the nearly $6.4 million in brownfield grants awarded to Vermont by the Biden administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. The funds will be used to clean up contaminated areas targeted for redevelopment, including sites in Springfield and St. Johnsbury, as well as by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. In Springfield, $1.8 million will go towards cleaning up the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center, a 1.6-acre site contaminated with PCBs and other chemicals from previous manufacturing activities.

2024’s cohort of Emerging Leaders was honored at the 7th Annual Southern Vermont Economy Summit at Mt Snow in Dover on May 21. Photo: Matthew Cavanaugh. Vermont Business Magazine 24 Southern Vermont Emerging Leaders were recognized on May 21 during the Southern Vermont Economy Summit. With sponsorship from the Community College of Vermont, the annual recognition event was conducted by the Southern Vermont Young Professionals and the Shires Young Professionals, celebrating young people from the Bennington and Windham regions. Individuals were nominated based on their work as community leaders and volunteers, and for their professional accomplishments and commitment to serving the region.

CHESTERFIELD, N.H. — A magnitude 1.6 earthquake hit southwestern New Hampshire on Saturday morning, the USGS says. The epicenter for the earthquake was in West Chesterfield around 7:20 a.m., the United States Geological Survey said. The earthquake was 1 km deep. >> Download the free WMUR app to get...

KEENE, NH – Lots of parades, ceremonies, and celebrations are happening around the Monadnock Region over the long holiday weekend for Memorial Day. Fitzwilliam: Parade steps off Monday at 8 am at the Fitzwilliam Inn and ends at the town Common. Hinsdale: Parade will step off at 10 am...