Vermont Public Radio reports that according to the Secretary of State's Corporations Division, "Five-hundred fewer businesses registered with the state of Vermont in 2007 than in previous years." Indeed in 2006, 9,900 businesses registered, while in 2007, 9,400 businesses registered. "Secretary of State Deb Markowitz says it's too soon to tell if the numbers reflect a downturn in the economy or if the numbers are an anomaly." Markowitz also stressed the importance of "tak[ing] a longer view." Duane Marsh, president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, said "he's not too alarmed about the numbers and says the drop in business registrations may simple be part of a natural business cycle."

Other notables about the state's business climate include:

• "The state saw a downturn in the number of new trade names and corporations registered"
• "The number of Limited Liability Corporations - or LLCs - in the state continued to grow."
• "Vermont had fewer new non-profits registered in the state last year."

Markowitz added that these signs "may be an indication of less money being available to starts-up, whether they are non-profit or for-profit entities."

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