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Archive for February, 2014

Matchmaker Links NH Small Businesses to Government Contracts

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Small business owners from across New Hampshire will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one in two weeks with large government contractors, which, even at a time of budget cutbacks, still need goods and services provided to them.

The 2014 New Hampshire Small Business Matchmaker will run from 8:30 am to 4 pm, March 13, and is hosted by Rivier University in Nashua, with contributing support from BAE Systems, which is also an exhibitor. Over 30 prime contractors are expected, including the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the New Hampshire National Guard and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

“For businesses that have products and services the government needs and wants, it is always a good time to pursue a contract,” said David Pease, program manager for the New Hampshire Procurement Technical Assistance Program. “It is a particularly good time now if you have a product or service that can save money, while meeting an established need.”

Government purchasing is a $2 billion market in the state and the NH-PTAP assists about 900 companies, of all sizes, doing business with the government and agencies that are prime contractors for government.

“Matchmakers are very important to us,” said Susan King, the executive administrator of supplier diversity for BAE Systems, Electronic Systems, headquartered in Nashua, which sponsors more than 25 small business events around the country and spends about $400 million buying goods and services from small businesses. “It lets us meet face-to-face with small businesses and to talk with them about what they offer.”

The New Hampshire Small Business Matchmaker is the only one scheduled this year and Pease said it is a rare opportunity for businesses to meet with decision makers in one place, rather than spend time trying to connect with the right person. Government agencies need to purchase the same kinds of goods and services as private businesses do, Pease said. With its own set of goals, statutes and procedures that must be followed, government procurement can be an intimidating process to those who are new to it.

In addition to meeting with the prime contractors, businesses attending can network with others, meet with and get advice from a business mentor and attend information sessions.

Those interested in attending can register online at www.NHSBDC.org. The cost is $50 and includes lunch. For more information, call Heidi Edwards Dunn at the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center at 603-271-0417.

The 2014 Matchmaker is sponsored by NH-PTAP, the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, the US Small Business Administration, SCORE and the Center for Women’s Business Advancement and hosted by Rivier University.

 Lorna Colquhoun

Communications Director

NH Division of Economic Development

 

 

 

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New Hampshire Export Growth Led Nation in 2013

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

New Hampshire led a national surge in export growth in 2013, according to the International Trade Administration, increasing its merchandise exports by more than 22 percent, to $4.3 billion.

Nationally, the US set an all-time record for the export of goods and services, reaching $2.3 trillion.

“We can attribute our growth to several factors, not the least of which is the savvy and innovative nature of our companies – their products are in demand around the globe,” said Tina Kasim, program manager for the International Trade Resource Center. “The other important factor is the strong partnership we have with the US Department of Commerce here in New Hampshire.”

The two agencies work closely with companies and manufacturers to connect them with trade opportunities.

“These numbers show that New Hampshire exporters continue to take advantage of international growth opportunities to diversify their market portfolios and grow their businesses,” said Justin Oslowski, director of US Commercial Service in Durham.

In the second year of funding of the State Trade Export Promotion program, New Hampshire used its nearly $300,000 award last year to provide matching grants to companies that enabled them to receive services about international markets.

New Hampshire’s merchandise export sales in 2013 outpaced the 2012 figures in many top destinations, including: the Czech Republic (+236 percent); Saudi Arabia (+196 percent); the United Arab Emirates (+161 percent); Colombia (+130 percent) and Canada (+109 percent). Key merchandise export categories include: Computer and electronic products; oil and gas; machinery manufactures; fabricated metal products and electrical equipment.

According to the ITA, the state’s largest market last year was Canada, posting merchandise exports of $1.4 billion, representing 31.7 percent of the state’s total merchandise exports. Following Canada was Mexico ($409 million); China ($266 million); Germany ($212 million) and the Netherlands ($177 million).

In 2012 (the latest figures available), the Manchester-Nashua metropolitan region recorded $1.6 billion in exports.

For more information about export, contact Kasim at the ITRC at 603-271-8444 or www.ExportNH.org or Oslowski at US Commercial Service at 603-953-0212.

 

 

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Gov. Hassan Appoints 26 to Economic Development Advisory Council

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

Gov. Maggie Hassan this week appointed 26 people to the Economic Development Advisory Council. The membership represents all the cogs in the wheels that drive our economy – business, education, tourism, manufacturing, telecommunications, biotechnology, forest-based products, retail and more.

Established by a 2008 act of the Legislature sponsored by Hassan during her time in the state Senate, the council is charged with assisting the Division of Economic Development by providing advice on the trends and the needs across all sectors of industry and government to aid in the strategic planning efforts of the division.

In announcing the appointment, Hassan said the council will help to continue her efforts to help businesses grow and create good jobs that can support a thriving middle class.

“Through its work to assist and advise New Hampshire’s Division of Economic Development, the Economic Development Advisory Council is critical to our efforts to support innovative economic growth and help businesses create good jobs,” she said. “These appointees have a diverse track record of success in a variety of sectors across our economy, and I am confident that their service will help build a stronger, more innovative New Hampshire.”

The members of the council serve three-year terms and hail from all all corners of the state. The first meeting will be held at 10 am, March 21, here in Concord.

“With these appointments, the Economic Development Advisory Council will have broad representation of industries from every corner of the state,” said Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner Jeffery Rose. “This is very important as we seek their counsel in developing our economic strategy and I appreciate their time and commitment to serving on this board.”

The Governor’s appointees are:

Zenagui Brahim, director of the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, representing manufacturing;

Kendall Buck, vice president of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association, representing residential building;

Dean Christon, director of New Hampshire Finance Authority, representing state/local housing authority;

Patrick Clark, president/CEO of BurstPoint Networks, representing information technology/software;

Jaime Coughlin, director of New Ventures and incubator programs, member-at-large;

Eric Crainich, president of Design Standards Corp., representing biotechnology;

 Katharine Eneguess, president of White MountainsCommunity   College, representing higher education;

 Phil Ferneau, founder/director of Borealis Ventures, representing venture capital formation;

Jeffrey Hayes, director of the Lakes Region Planning Commission, member-at-large;

State Senator Jeanie Forrester;

 Judy Gove, director of the New Hampshire Electric Coop, representing electric/energy;

Stephen Heavener, director of the Capitol Regional Development Council, representing regional/municipal development;

Gale Hennessy, director of Southern New Hampshire Services, representing workforce development;

 Chris Hodgdon, director of government affairs for Comcast, representing telecommunications;

State Representative Naida Kaen;

 Carmen Lorentz, director of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development;

 Daniel Lee, associate professor of economics at PlymouthStateUniversity;

 Patrick McDermott, director of external affairs for Hinkley Allen & Snyder, member-at-large;

 Mark McKenzie, president of New Hampshire AFL-CIO, representing organized labor;

 David Mullen, director of Pease Development Authority, representing real estate/commercial real estate development;

 Jayne O’Connor, president of White Mountains Attractions, representing travel and tourism;

 Eric Proulx, general manager of Tanger Outlet Center, representing retail;

Kathleen Reardon, vice president of Citizens Bank, representing insurance/banking/financial services;

Tim Sink, president of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, representing chambers of commerce;

 Sarah Smith, extension professor at the University of New Hampshire, representing forest-based products;

Philip Suter, director of the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Keene State College.

 Lorna Colquhoun

Communications Director

NH Division of Economic Development

 

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Gaining Altitude, NH Aero/Defense Companies Land in Singapore

Friday, February 7th, 2014

Asia’s largest air show gets underway this coming week and six New Hampshire companies are on the ground in Singapore, ready to make connections and gain entry into a new global market.

Justin Oslowski and Tina Kasim

Along with them are Tina Kasim, program manager of our International Trade Resource Center, and Justin Oslowski, director of the US Department of Commerce/US Commercial Service in Durham.

“The aerospace and defense industries are a fast growing sector for us,” Kasim said. “The companies attending represent our diversity and innovation and they are eager for the possibilities the Singapore and Asian markets will provide them.”

PAS-028

NH at Singapore

Over the past year, our aerospace and defense sector has been gaining altitude. It is one of our fastest growing industries and since it organized nearly one year ago, the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium has boosted it even more. Our aero/defense companies are becoming familiar sights internationally; last June, five of our companies were at the International Paris Airshow and in July 2012, three companies took part in the Farnborough International Air Show. Their participation has been made possible through the federal State Trade Export Promotion program.

Singapore is New Hampshire’s 15th largest trading partner and with its range of aerospace design and manufacturing services, is a leading hub for the industry in Asia.

Attending are: AQYR Technologies of Nashua, which designs and manufactures highly portable, simple to operate, satellite communication terminals for military and governments worldwide; Corfin Industries of Salem, which provides component preparation services and is the exclusive provider of the Robotic Hot Solder Dip, which the company developed in the 1980s; LanAir Inc of Newington, which engineers and designs PMA parts; New England Wire Technologies of Lisbon, which designs and manufactures Litz, braids, cables and strands, ultra flexible single, multiconductor, and coaxial cables; RdF Corp., of Hudson, which designs, develops and manufactures surface, insertion and immersion temperature and heat flux sensors and Transupport of Merrimack, a stocking supplier of spares for gas turbine engines, including the T53, T55, AGT1500 AND TF series.

“This builds on the momentum gained from participating in the Farnborough and Paris Air Shows, and further solidifies New Hampshire’s reputation as a large and growing hub for the world’s aerospace and defense sectors,” Oslowski said. “As our first formal foray into Asia, I can’t think of a better market than Singapore. I’m confident our participating companies will show results in the very near future.”

Follow along over the next week during the Singapore Airshow via our Twitter feed and our Facebook page.

Lorna Colquhoun

Communications Director

NH Division of Economic Development

 

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Fields, Farms and Forests – Come out and Celebrate at the NH Farm & Forest Expo

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

It’s snowing today here in New Hampshire and the white fluff will be adding up throughout the day. By this evening, the woods will be, as Robert Frost wrote, “lovely, dark and deep.”

Beginning Friday!

Beginning Friday!

Our woods and fields are mostly at rest this month, which makes it a fine time to celebrate them at the greatest winter fair, the New Hampshire Farm & Forest Exposition, which kicks off on Friday morning at the Center of New Hampshire in Manchester. The expo marks its 31st year this year.

Part of the currency that gives the Granite State much of what we value, like open space and rural character, comes from our agricultural and forest industries. Both are integral to our economy in the jobs they provide, the spending of those wages in our communities and the economic multipliers that come from an industry of consumers and suppliers.

Tree Tapping ~ Fuller's Sugar House ~ Lancaster

Tree Tapping ~ Fuller’s Sugar House ~ Lancaster

Then there is that which we can’t put a dollar value on – the scent of newly-mown hay on a summer’s afternoon, the architecture of a lovely old barn, a walk in the woods of a healthy forest and the sweet taste of maple syrup.

The expo is sponsored by our friends down the hall at the Division of Forest and Lands, the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food and the UNH Cooperative Extension. Together, they have come up with a terrific schedule of events, including educational seminars, like backyard maple sugaring, a look at bees and beeswax and a farmers’ rap session.

There’s lots of fun for children, too, and if they are under 16, they get admitted for free. Some representatives of 4-H will be on hand, there will be some animals and other kid-friendly activities.

So come on out and help celebrate our fields, farms and forests this weekend. Bring two non-perishable food items to help restock the NH Food Bank and $1 comes off the admission price.

Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development

 

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