Now through the Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, Nov. 18, we’re spotlighting speakers planning to participate in the day’s bevy of workshops. Next up: Jeff Carr, President/Economist, Economic & Policy Resources Inc., Williston.

The Vermont Department of Labor released its Economic-Demographic Profile of Vermont, 2010 yesterday.

A quick "thank you" to a few more sponsors of the 2010 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, coming Nov. 18.

The Vermont Agency of Human Services has come on-board as a platinum sponsor of the event. Platinum is the highest level of sponsorship for the conference.

According to researchers at the Brookings Institution, the poverty rate among all Americans is likely to remain above 14 percent through 2020, due to the relationship between unemployment and poverty.

The situation will be even worse among children, with the poverty rate remaining above 21 percent through 2020.

The worst year is likely to be 2014, with at least 16 percent of all Americans and 26 percent of all children living in poverty.