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Archive for May, 2018

Multinational Company Selects Portsmouth for its US Headquarters

Thursday, May 17th, 2018

Today, Governor Chris Sununu and Commissioner Taylor Caswell announced that Revision Military, a multinational company with locations across the globe is choosing Portsmouth as its United States Headquarters.

Revision Military, a world leader in military and tactical solutions and protective equipment, will open its new offices at Pease International Tradeport. The New Hampshire location will become Revision’s US Headquarters and Center of Excellence, steering product research, as well as the development and manufacturing of the company’s most advanced products.

“Revision Military was the first company I met with after being elected governor, and today’s announcement is a testament to our pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda,” Sununu said. “As an acclaimed international company, their expansion into the Granite State – which will serve as their US Headquarters – proves that New Hampshire is open for business once again. Revision designs and manufactures state of the art military hardware that keeps our troops safe, and we are proud they will call New Hampshire home.”


By expanding to New Hampshire, Revision will improve access to its military customer base in the Greater Boston area, as well as along the Eastern Seaboard, and will be better positioned to work collaboratively with local academic institutions, such as the University of New Hampshire, and a significant number of locally based partners and suppliers.


“New Hampshire’s business climate and hyper-focus on economic development is paying dividends every day,” said Commissioner Taylor Caswell. “Precision manufacturers like Revision are expanding and coming here for our quality workforce, low taxes, and business-friendly approach.  These things don’t happen by accident.”

“Revision’s expansion to New Hampshire deepens the company’s already-well-founded commitment to US based operations and manufacturing,” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO, Revision Military. “Moreover, this future location represents a bold but necessary next step forward for the company—indicative of both Revision’s ever-widening vision for innovation in soldier systems and tactical solutions.  It is also essential in order to effectively house the full breadth of the company’s growing capabilities.  We are very excited to initiate this new chapter for the company and we have started to put together a world-class team. Revision has evolved significantly over the last 17 years and this upcoming investment in a prime location makes our intentions clear: We expect to accelerate our growth and capabilities for the foreseeable future, and in the coming months and years we will be looking to hire dozens of the very best engineers, technicians, manufacturing experts and program managers available in the area in order to further develop our vision and service our customers.”

Revision has already hired the first group of New Hampshire management-level employees. Together they will spearhead the development of new facilities, new capabilities and implement near-term strategy based on Revision’s current slate of projects, contracts, and in-progress bids. This founding group of New Hampshire-based employees includes Chief Technology Officer Chris Palmer, who will oversee the team and report directly to Blanshay.

The announcement of the expansion in New Hampshire comes just over two years after Revision last opened a new facility in Bristol, UK. This new venture also builds on considerable recent investments made by the company to upgrade its facilities in the U.S. and Canada, particularly the relocation and upgrading of the Montreal hub for industrial design and R&D to a modern, centrally-located office, as well as an aggressive expansion project in Newport, Vt.—the company’s main armor and helmet manufacturing facility—completed last year.

Across seven facilities, Revision has established state-of-the-art, vertically integrated operations—from industry-leading sales and customer service, to world-class branding and marketing, to forward-thinking business and product development, and beyond. Revision has built a substantial international reputation on the strength of cutting-edge high-volume manufacturing, advanced R&D, and testing laboratories. The Company is ISO 9001-2008 certified and employs over 400 people. With this new location, Revision joins, and will contribute to, a vibrant New Hampshire economy with the high-skilled workforce the company needs to continue to deliver best-in-class soldier system technology.

About Revision 

Revision develops and delivers purpose-built protective soldier equipment for military use worldwide. The company, which began with eyewear, has expanded to face, head and torso protection as well as energy storage and power management products, continues to develop innovative capabilities for integrated, performance-enhancing soldier systems. To that end, Revision brings together the most advanced expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and finest technical minds. Privately owned and ISO 9001:2008 certified, Revision’s operational headquarters is located in Essex Junction, Vermont, USA, with additional offices in Montreal, Canada, The UK, and Luxembourg.

Life Science in New Hampshire: Vast and Varied Landscape Attracting Companies, Researchers, Innovation

Thursday, May 17th, 2018

Ken Cail, Cindy Conde; Lorna Colquhoun — NH Business Matters

New Hampshire’s life science sector, which incorporates everything from medical device manufacturing to pharmaceutical development, is growing and from June 4 – 7, it will showcased at the 2018 BIO International convention in Boston.


In New Hampshire, there are over 200 companies that represent this life sciences landscape. Some of them are subsidiaries of global companies; others are based and founded here … it’s thriving and it’s vast.

Cindy Conde
Chairman, BIOTech|MEDTech committee
NH High Technology Council


Joining the Division of Economic Development in the New Hampshire pavilion will be: ARMI|BioFabUSA; Community College System of New Hampshire; Dartmouth College; NH High Tech Council, and the University of New Hampshire.

This month’s guest on New Hampshire Business Matters on WTPL-FM is Cindy Conde, chairman of the NH High Tech Council’s BioTech|MedTech committee, who talks about this vibrant sector and what New Hampshire offers growing companies within the industry.

Tune in here.

 

Shifting Defense Landscape, Business-To-Business Matchmaking Highlight Annual NHADEC Networking Event on May 17

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

The scheduling portal for the first ever B2B meetings is open until May 10. Register for login credentials; request appointments and check to see who has requested an appointment with you. There are 20 minute time slots for appointments beginning at 6:30pm, ending at 7:50pm; a potential for four meetings. You can block any time slots or leave them open for meeting requests. Make sure to confirm meetings that have been requested of you and keep checking back as new attendees register.

A global defense industry and technology innovation expert headlines the 4th annual networking event hosted by the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium, from 5:30 – 8 pm, May 17 at the Manchester Country Club.

Tate Nurkin, founder of OTH Intelligence Group LLC, is frequently cited on defense-related topics and has provided testimony to the U.S. – China Economic and Security Review Commission about the implications of China’s military reforms and modernization. His keynote address examines the shifting defense industrial landscape and the future of defense innovation.

The event will also feature trade representatives from Canada, Saudi Arabia and other resource organizations, as well as a first-ever business-to-business matchmaking component.


 

Find out how NHADEC gave a big boost to one New Hampshire company. Tune in here to learn the benefits of being a member.

 


Founded in 2013 by the New Hampshire Office of International Commerce, the consortium is expanding its membership beyond the state and now includes members from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and as far away as Utah. It has also forged relationships with AeroMontreal and the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, fostering partnerships and opportunities in markets around the world for its members.

The event is open to anyone with an interest in the state’s aerospace and defense sector, but registration is required at www.NHADEC.com.

For more information, contact Dawn Wivell at 603-836-4207.

 

Gov. Sununu Nominates 27 Tracts for Federal Opportunity Zones

Thursday, May 3rd, 2018

Since publication of this post, the tracts nominated last month have been so designated by the Department of Treasury. -Ed.

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has nominated 27 low income census tracts of the state to be designated as Opportunity Zones, part of a federal program encouraging economic development and investment in neighborhoods around the country.  Governor Sununu made the announcement from Marceau Park in Franklin, one of the areas designated today.

In New Hampshire, the areas nominated include tracts and contiguous tracts, ranging from the Manchester Millyard, downtown Rochester and tracts in the Seacoast, to the White Mountains and the North Country.

“New Hampshire’s resiliency lies in our local communities – they are the backbone of our society and the focal point of cultural activity,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “For far too long, however, some communities have been left behind. While some have thrived in recent years, others are struggling to keep up. Today, we are announcing 27 Opportunity Zones across the state to encourage investments in areas that are often left behind. Opportunity Zones provide tax incentives to investors to reinvest unrealized capital gains into neighborhoods throughout the state.  These local neighborhoods deserve an economic boost, and that is what we are going to give them. The goal is simple: to create jobs, to increase wages, and to revitalize communities across the state.”


For more information about the Opportunity Zone nominations, visit our website.


“Our goal was to designate tracts that present the best opportunities for investment and can leverage other state and federal resources.  My hope is that once this program is fully deployed, it can serve as catalyst to bringing economic opportunity to New Hampshire communities,” said Taylor Caswell, Commissioner, New Hampshire Business and Economic Affairs.

The program was created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which provides federal tax incentives to investors in areas designated as an Opportunity Zone and is administered by the U.S. Treasury Department.  States were required to designate 25% of the low income census tracts in the state as Opportunity Zones.  Investors can defer capital gains on earnings reinvested in the zones and long-term investments maintained for over 10 years do not have to pay additional capital gains taxes on earnings from Opportunity Zone investments.

Final designations are subject to federal confirmation and final rules for the new Opportunity Zone are being developed by the US Treasury.


Communities nominated for federal Opportunity Zones:

  • Berlin
  • Claremont
  • Colebrook, Atkinson and Gilmanton Grant
  • Conway/North Conway
  • Derry
  • Dixville Notch, Columbia, Millsfield, Errol, Dummer, Milan, Cambridge, Success, Erving and Wentworth’s Location, Second College Grant
  • Dover
  • Durham
  • Franklin
  • Keene
  • Laconia
  • Lancaster, Kilkenny
  • Lincoln, Easton, Waterville Valley, Livermore
  • Littleton
  • Manchester
  • Nashua
  • Newport
  • Plymouth
  • Raymond
  • Rochester
  • Seabrook
  • Somersworth
  • Stratford, Groveton (Northumberland), Stark, Odell

 

The Value, Role of Older Workers in Strengthening the Workforce, Economy

Thursday, May 3rd, 2018

May 4 Forum on the Future Breakfast

Having a strong and talented workforce is vital in keeping the state’s economy robust and healthy. With its low rate of unemployment, New Hampshire is committed to making sure businesses and manufacturers have the employees they need to grow.

This was the topic of the May 4 Forum on the Future Breakfast, during which a panel discussed the role of older workers, with their knowledge and experience, in being a resource for meeting the demand, organized by the New Hampshire College and University Council.

“Most beliefs about aging are outdated,” said Todd Fahey, state director for AARP, who moderated the discussion.

The age of 65 has long been synonymous with the age people retire; that’s not the case anymore, he said. People are living longer, healthier lives and most baby boomers want to work.

As they continue to work, it is possible for there to be synergy between generations, said Will Arvelo, director of the Division Of Economic Development. Much is lost if experienced, older workers depart their jobs, taking with them their valuable training.

“That is something really powerful,” he said, in terms of mentorship and knowledge transfer.

Other speakers included Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig; Manchester Community College President Susan Huard; Granite State College President Mark Rubenstein; Robert Segal, CEO, Automotive Supply Association and Sanel Auto Parts, and Deanna Strand, executive director, Dover Adult Learning Center.

NH Travel and Tourism Projects Record Visits, Spending This Summer

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

DTTD will focus its summer campaign on new markets in New England, including Hartford, Ct., Portland, Maine, Providence, RI and Burlington, Vt, along with its traditional markets including, Boston, New York, Montréal, and Toronto.

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development expects a record-breaking 2018 summer travel season with all-time highs for visitation and visitor spending.


More than three million visitors will spend $1.8 billion this summer, including more than 650,000 visitors over Memorial Day Weekend.


During the M/S Mount Washington’s traditional Shakedown Cruise on May 3, Gov. Chris Sununu joined state tourism officials to announce New Hampshire is projected to host a record 3.4 million visitors who will spend a record $1.8 billion this summer.

“There is no better place to be in the summer than right here in New Hampshire,” he said. “From hiking the White Mountains to cruising around Lake Winnipesaukee or visiting Hampton Beach, there are endless opportunities to explore our beautiful state.”

Marking the unofficial kick-off to New Hampshire’s most popular travel season, Memorial Day Weekend is expected to draw 650,000 out-of-state travelers and generate more than $120 million in spending from Friday, May 25, through Monday, May 28.

“Travelers spend billions of dollars each year in New Hampshire, at our restaurants, our tax-free retail destinations and our tremendous hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “I’m pleased to share that the Division of Travel and Tourism Development is expecting another record-breaking summer season.”

During the kickoff event, DTTD unveiled its Live Free summer marketing campaign, which calls out the variety of activities available within close proximity, embracing the diverse backdrops and experiences that separate New Hampshire from its competitive set.