NH Division of Economic Development
YouTube Facebook Twitter Twitter
Why New Hampshire Move Start Grow About Us

Archive for May, 2010

Free Business Recruitment Session to be Held

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Business incentives, job training and financing will be the main focus of a free State of New Hampshire presentation to be held for companies in southern Cheshire County on Tuesday, June 1st at 5:30 p.m. at the Winchester Town Hall.

Senator Molly Kelly

Senator Molly Kelly

Organized by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development (DRED) and hosted by Senator Molly Kelly (D-Keene), this session will discuss how towns can recruit new companies to the area and will also provide an overview of free government incentives for in-state businesses. Guest speakers will include New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron and Business Recruiter Cindy Harrington as well as New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Director Jack Donovan and MicroCredit-NH Regional Manager Peggy O’Keefe.

“This is a great opportunity for local business owners and prospering entrepreneurs to learn what’s available in terms of resources and programs,” said Senator Kelly. “Economic development is of vital importance to community vitality and this presentation will provide participants with an excellent forum to discuss new ideas and growth strategies.”

There are various State incentives available to the business community including energy audits, ERZ tax credits, opportunities to sell products and services to the federal government and research and development tax credits.

“Having knowledge of these opportunities can help a company to grow rapidly and maximize profits,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Getting educated makes perfect business sense.”

Public Service of New Hampshire is sponsoring free light refreshments at the session. To pre-register and learn more, contact Michael Bergeron at (603) 271-2591 or mbergeron@dred.state.nh.us.

C&S Wholesale Grocers Named NHBSR 2010 Cornerstone Award Recipient

Monday, May 24th, 2010

C&S Wholesale Grocers was named the 2010 Cornerstone Award winner by New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) at NHBSR’s 7th Annual Spring Conference at the Grappone Conference Center. 
 

NHBSR Program Director Kate Luczko presents the 2010 Cornerstone Award to C&S Wholesale Grocers Community Involvement Program Director Erin Temmen.

NHBSR Program Director Kate Luczko presents the 2010 Cornerstone Award to C&S Wholesale Grocers Community Involvement Program Director Erin Temmen.

“C&S Wholesale Grocers exemplifies all of the best qualities of socially responsible companies,” said NHBSR Executive Director Molly Hodgson Smith. “Whether they’re carrying out programs to feed the hungry, promoting environmental awareness or encouraging employee volunteerism, C&S serves as a role model for other NH companies to emulate.”
 
As the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the United States, based on revenue and the 12th largest privately held company in the country, as ranked by Forbes magazine, C&S Wholesale Grocers, founded in 1918, provides wholesaling and distribution services from warehouses in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, West Coast and Hawaii. The men and women of C&S are responsible for the delivery of food and non-food products to 3,900 grocery stores across the nation. Four platforms guide the company’s CSR initiatives:

Eliminating Hunger: In partnership with leading national hunger organizations Feeding America, Share Our Strength and the Congressional Hunger Center, C&S has the opportunity to help address immediate needs and to contribute to innovative, long-term solutions.

Strengthening Communities: Through their support of United Way and their community-focused mini grant program, C&S helps create stronger, healthier families and communities. They have a special focus on organizations dedicated to improving children’s literacy.

Protecting the Environment: C&S is committed to protecting the health of the planet and the natural environment. In addition to corporate initiatives to reduce waste and save energy, C&S participates in the Go Zero® carbon sequestration program sponsored by The Conservation Fund.

Encouraging Volunteerism: C&S employees believe in rolling up their sleeves and making a difference. Through programs like Make A Difference Day, Dollars for Doers, and Team Up & Make Strides, C&S supports their employees who volunteer in their communities.
 
The two other finalists for this year’s Cornerstone Award were: Antioch University of New England and Alison Huber-Jewett.

The NHBSR Cornerstone Award is presented every year at the NHBSR Spring Conference to a company, organization or individual that exemplifies the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and promotes the concepts of CSR to the greater business community within the state of New Hampshire.
 
This year’s NHBSR Spring Conference, titled “Social Responsibility: Competitive Advantage to Competitive Imperative,” focused on how businesses can incorporate more sustainable practices in the workplace while saving resources and creating a return on investment. The conference incorporated a variety of “green” elements including carbon offset, recycling, minimizing waste and sustainable menu choices.
 
Additionally, the conference featured a prominent keynote speaker; Mindy Lubber, President of Ceres. It also featured numerous morning educational breakout sessions, a World Cafe, a Silent Auction, a Job Board and a “Green Drinks” themed cocktail hour to end the day.
 
About NHBSR: NHBSR fosters socially and environmentally responsible business in New Hampshire, recognizing that people, principles and profits must be linked.  NHBSR offers education, networking and promotion around sustainability and CSR issues. Learn more at www.nhbsr.org or call 603.391.8471.

Help Wanted – Economic Development Practitioner

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Want to meet exciting people, build the state’s business community and truly make a difference?

business_global-worldThe New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center is currently seeking a Business Services Specialist. In this position, you’ll meet with local companies to determine their needs and inform the business community about the free services that can help take their firms to the next level. This is an excellent position for someone who enjoys business, has good interpersonal skills and is willing to learn about the many programs that are available to assist local companies with their growth and development plans.

To learn more about how you can join our award-winning team, visit http://www.dred.state.nh.us/jobs/documents/ProgramSpecialistIII.42056external.doc.

DoverTech to Showcase Innovative Inventors & Entrepreneurs

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Recent innovations in intellectual property take center stage at a unique event planned for the fall in Dover.

dovertechcolorlogookwebDoverTech, which will be held on Oct. 19, 2010, will bring together buyers and sellers of intellectual property in a forum intended promote business and innovation. Inventors and intellectual property owners will make brief presentations for those interested in purchasing, licensing or developing intellectual property.

The organizers of DoverTech are reaching out to a wide variety of participants, including inventors, entrepreneurs and investors from across the country.

Dan Barufaldi, Economic Development Director for the City Of Dover, New Hampshire, said the event underlines the need to create new jobs and generate better wages for workers in Dover and the entire region.

“The fostering of technology transfer as a means for the development, support and encouragement of businesses and entrepreneurship is necessary for the building of an advanced economy,” Barufaldi said. “As the United States becomes increasingly a knowledge-based culture, knowledge in the form of intellectual property — specifically patents, trademarks and copyrights — can be traded, developed and commercialized for the purposes of creating wealth, as well as more and better jobs.”

In addition to promoting technology transfer as a means of economic growth for Dover, the event is also intended to market the city as an attractive place to conduct 21st-century business, including the sale and licensing of intellectual property.

The event’s primary sponsor is the Dover Business and Industrial Development Authority, a nonprofit economic development organization.

For more information, visit www.DoverTech-NH.com

SBA to Open Recovery Center for Business Owners in New Hampshire

Friday, May 14th, 2010

The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announces today that they are opening a Business Recovery Center for two days: Saturday, May 22 and Monday May 24, to help businesses impacted by severe storms and flooding that occurred on February 26 through March 14, 2010.

 

sba-logo1“Due to the amount of economic losses caused by the storms in New Hampshire, we want affected businesses to have a local outlet where they can meet individually with SBA representatives and find out how a low-interest disaster loan can help them recover,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.   The Business Recovery Center is located at:

 

Rockingham County

Town of Hampton Fire Station

2nd Floor Conference Room

64 Ashworth Avenue

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire 03842

 

Open:     Saturday, May 22 and Monday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only

                       

Anyone unable to visit the Center may obtain an application by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until
5:30 p.m. EDT.  Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

 

Businesses affected by this disaster may fill out a loan application online by visiting SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

 

The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 4, 2011.      

 

###

 

For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Programs, visit our website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

NH Working Signed Into Law

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Gov. John Lynch has signed into law his new, innovative jobs initiative aimed at helping workers and companies recover from the recession.

Governor John Lynch

Governor John Lynch

New Hampshire Working is a three-part initiative introduced by Gov. Lynch. It is designed to help companies and workers avoid layoffs, help unemployed workers return to work and provide training to help workers get new jobs.

“Our number one focus must continue to be helping companies and workers recover from this recession,” Gov. Lynch said. “We cannot and we will not rest until everyone who wants a job can get a job. With this legislation, we are providing businesses and citizens with new help to get back to work and to recover from the recession.”

New Hampshire Working leverages existing resources to help businesses and workers recover from the recession. The legislation implementing parts of the program received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate.

“I have met a number of people who have been out of work for several months, and in some cases a year or more. They want the opportunity to work again, to show employers they have the skills and talents needed in today’s workforce, but they just need someone to give them a chance,” Gov. Lynch said. “With New Hampshire Working, we are giving them that chance. At the same, with this legislation, we will be able to help businesses retain the workers they need to recover from the recession and ensure that our workers and companies have the skills they need to compete in the future.”

 “The focus of New Hampshire Employment Security is putting New Hampshire’s citizens back to work. New Hampshire Working provides us with creative new ways to help our workforce stay at work, return to work and be ready for work,” said Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon. “We applaud our Governor and the Legislature’s hard work in support of  these efforts to help both business and employees in this challenging times.”

The new law, Senate Bill 501, immediately implements two parts of New Hampshire Working; the final piece is already up and running.

Under the first part of New Hampshire Working, the state will be able to partner with businesses and workers to provide an alternative to layoffs. Companies and workers would agree to reduced hours instead of layoffs, and the state will make up part of the lost wages for workers through unemployment benefits.

Workers will keep their jobs, their health insurance and most of their income. Companies will be able to retain the skilled workers they need to recover, and taxpayers will avoid increased costs as the demand for state services increases as unemployment rises. This part of New Hampshire Working is modeled after successful job-share programs in other states.

Under the second part of New Hampshire Working, New Hampshire job agencies will develop a plan for assessing the job skills of all newly unemployed workers. Workers can take the results of those assessments to potential employers, giving business owners confidence that new hires will have the necessary skills.

The new law also doubles the state’s Job Training Fund to $2 million a year in 2011 and allows Employment Security to use those funds to train unemployed workers.

“New Hampshire Working is a way we can help companies and workers through these tough times,” Gov. Lynch said. “The funding required for these programs is money we are already spending – but with New Hampshire Working we’re spending it better, in a way that will help companies and workers, and reduce costs for taxpayers.”

The final part of New Hampshire Working did not require legislation and is already up and running. This part of the initiative reduces upfront training costs for companies – often an impediment to hiring – and is providing on-the-job training to help workers get new jobs. Unemployed workers are able to continue to receive unemployment benefits while participating in up to six weeks of training at a potential new employer. A company has until the end of that period to decide if a worker has the skills the business needs.

Senate Bill 501 was sponsored by Sens. Maggie Hassan, Matt Houde, Amanda Merrill, Betsi DeVries, Jackie Cilley, Bette Lasky, Molly Kelly, Sylvia Larsen, Martha Fuller Clark, Kathy Sgambati, Deb Reynolds, Harold Janeway, Lou D’Allesandro, Peggy Gilmour, Bob Odell; and Reps. Mary Jane Wallner, Sally Kelly, Dan Eaton, Ed Butler and Will Infantine.