Vermont unemployment holds at 2.6% as employment and labor force shrink
Vermont’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 2.6% in June, but employment and the civilian labor force both declined from May.
Business & Economy
Jobs, labor, companies, prices, investment, markets, trade, agriculture, energy, and consumer economics.
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Toyota announces $3.6 billion San Antonio expansion and 2,000 new Texas jobs
Toyota plans to add a second vehicle-assembly line at its San Antonio operation in a $3.6 billion expansion expected to create 2,000 jobs, with state incentives totaling $20.05 million announced alongside the project.
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Tennessee unemployment rate holds at 3.6% for third straight month
Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate was 3.6% for a third consecutive month, while 94 of the state’s 95 counties reported rates below 5%, according to the state labor department.
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South Dakota board approves projects expected to generate more than $115 million and 74 jobs
South Dakota’s Board of Economic Development approved a package of financing and incentives for projects in defense manufacturing, health care, industrial supply and metal recycling that are expected to generate more than $115 million in capital investment and 74 full-time jobs.
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First Solar announces Cherokee County production facility expected to create more than 600 jobs
First Solar announced a Cherokee County production facility expected to begin operating in 2026 and create more than 600 jobs. State officials also approved job-development credits, though no incentive value was disclosed.
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Rhode Island awards $8 million in incentives tied to 239 projected jobs
The Rhode Island Commerce Board approved $7.7 million in Qualified Jobs Tax Credits tied to 239 projected jobs over 10 years, plus $299,650 in Innovation Vouchers for research and development projects.
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Puerto Rico authorizes $2 billion Esencia resort development in Cabo Rojo
Puerto Rico has authorized the proposed Esencia resort and residential development in Cabo Rojo, a project developers value at $2 billion and say could support more than 17,000 jobs.
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Curtiss-Wright plans $80 million Cheswick expansion, with 150 jobs expected
Curtiss-Wright plans a multi-year $80 million expansion at its Cheswick campus in Allegheny County, backed by a proposed $1.21 million PA SITES grant and expected to create 150 jobs within three years.
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New Hampshire reports 18% increase in LLC formations
New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan announced May 28 that LLC formations in the state increased 18%, though the state’s notice did not provide totals or a comparison period.
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Mississippi makes Disaster Unemployment Assistance available after federal disaster declaration
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security announced Disaster Unemployment Assistance for eligible workers in five affected areas after the state received federal major disaster declaration DR-4922-MS.
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Highline Warren plans $170 million investment in Henry County, Kemp says
Gov. Brian Kemp announced July 14 that automotive-products company Highline Warren plans a multiyear $170 million investment in Henry County.
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USTR launches Section 301 action over forced-labor imports from 60 economies
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced a Section 301 action tied to 60 economies’ failure to ban imports produced with forced labor. Available USTR materials do not specify covered products, tariff rates or effective dates.
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Nebraska reports 4.3% unemployment rate as private industries add 7,577 jobs
Nebraska’s latest labor-market update reported a 4.3% seasonally adjusted unemployment rate and a monthly gain of 7,577 jobs in private industries. Preliminary July figures and revised June data are due Aug. 21.
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Bluhawk announces eight new stores in Overland Park, including L.L.Bean
Bluhawk announced eight new stores in Overland Park, including what KCTV5 described as the Kansas City area’s only L.L.Bean. The development said more retailers and restaurants are expected.
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Oregon opens applications for $25 million industrial-site readiness fund
Business Oregon has opened a $25 million loan fund for public and private industrial-land projects, with applications due Sept. 4, 2026.
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Ohio ranked No. 1 state for business in CNBC’s 2026 assessment
CNBC placed Ohio first in its 2026 America’s Top States for Business study, the state’s first time at the top of the ranking since the study began in 2007.
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North Dakota opens registration for 2026 Global Talent Summit
The North Dakota Department of Commerce has opened registration for its 2026 Global Talent Summit, a workforce-focused event centered on global-talent strategies and economic competitiveness.
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North Carolina begins Opportunity Zone nominations for 202 census tracts
North Carolina’s Department of Commerce is advancing nominations for 202 census tracts under the federal Opportunity Zone program, a state-level step that could shape where private investors focus future projects.
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Micron begins foundation work on $100 billion Central New York semiconductor campus
Workers have begun pouring foundations at Micron Technology’s planned Central New York semiconductor campus, moving the $100 billion project from site preparation into vertical construction.
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New Mexico awards LEADS economic-development support across 11 counties
New Mexico’s Economic Development Department announced annual LEADS awards for projects in 11 counties, backing industrial-site preparation, business attraction and redevelopment efforts. The announcement did not provide a total award amount or project-by-project job estimates.
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New Jersey payrolls edged down in June as professional services, health care and construction added jobs
New Jersey’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment fell by 300 jobs in June to 4,387,100, while professional and business services and private education and health services posted the largest gains.
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New Hampshire projects $2.6 billion in summer visitor spending for 2026
New Hampshire officials project about 4.8 million summer visitors in 2026 and approximately $2.6 billion in spending, a forecast they say is consistent with summer 2025.