Here comes Thanksgiving, on its way via a snow storm, which is a nice way to start the holiday season. It’s a nice time of year in New Hampshire.
It is also a busy time, a time to wrap up projects for the year, chart a course for the coming new year and somehow, find the time to make merry and enjoy the company of friends and family.
From all of us at the Division of Economic Development, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving … and a safe one, if you are traveling.
And, of course, being a champion of business and the economy, we have some business of our own to pass on.
First, our 19th annual meeting is coming up on Dec. 9. It’s a day when we bring together our colleagues from across the state and talk about the economy, some trends and what’s ahead. Thanks to sponsorship from our friends at Public Service of New Hampshire, this year’s event is at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester and the theme is Live Free and Grow. Expect, as always, an interesting keynote speaker, some lively panel discussions and presentation of awards from Commissioner Rose. We’ve squeezed in time for lunch and socializing with colleagues.
Registration is free, but seating is limited (and those seats are going fast), so we need you to register. Take a moment and click over to the registration page and we will look forward to seeing you.
By the time our annual meeting rolls around, you may be already started on your Christmas list. A good day to get started is Small Business Saturday, coming up this Saturday.
Our state abounds with small businesses, some of the 23 million in the country. Since 1982, small businesses have increased 49 percent and since 1990, they’ve created 8 million jobs. Of all U.S. sales, 54 percent happen at a small business.
Small businesses here are everything from manufacturers to Main Street merchants. They employ our friends and neighbors, they give our communities identities and make them a nice place to live. In terms of dollars and cents, if you spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in the community.
See you around town.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development
“Small businesses are the foundation of our economy – half of America’s workers either own or work for a small business,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “Small Business Saturday® is an opportunity to show our support for our friends and neighbors who throughout the year are growing our local economy, as well as supporting many local initiative and organizations.”