Archive for September, 2018
Friday, September 28th, 2018
 The latest round of STEP funding will be used to promote New Hampshire exports, such as the Farnborough International Air Show, one of the largest aero/defense trade shows in the world. The New Hampshire Office of International Commercial received from the U.S. Small Business Administration a State Trade Expansion Program grant, which will continue to help Granite State businesses discover, and expand in, markets around the world.
“For more than five years, STEP grants have made a real difference for New Hampshire businesses and the global market, said Commissioner Taylor Caswell of the state Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “Through this program, scores of companies and manufacturers have completed export training programs; participated in international trade shows, and raised the profile of New Hampshire in markets around the world.”
US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced the $250,000 award last week, noting “This federal support is an important investment in Granite State entrepreneurs, helping them compete in a global economy.”
The STEP Financial Assistance Award program is now available! Companies can apply for a financial assistance award of up to $5,000 to help increase export sales. Details below.
The latest round of funding will be used to provide matching grants to eligible New Hampshire companies for their export promotion efforts; further development of the annual Export Boot Camp by the Office of International Commerce, and taking part in an international trade show.
The SBA distributed $18 million in STEP grants to 47 state international trade agencies. Now in its seventh year, STEP is designed to increase the number of small businesses that export and the value of those exports, and to explore new trade opportunities.
Get in on STEP!
Join the Office of International Commerce at two informational webinars regarding the grant,
application process and guidelines. Register for one of the webinars and receive 5
points towards your application’s overall score.
Wednesday, October 10 at 10 a.m. ET
Thursday, October 11, at 2 p.m. ET
There is no cost to participate in the webinar, but registration is required. The application packet, instructions, guidelines and additional program information are available HERE.
Please note:
• Application deadline is Friday, Nov. 9 at 3 pm ET
• Submit applications HERE
• No partial applications will be accepted
• Awards are limited in number and applications are ranked based on the competitiveness and innovation of the submitted proposal
*Note: The STEP Grant is a two-year grant. As a result, all successful activity reimbursements must be submitted within the next two federal fiscal calendar years (Oct. 1, 2018 – Sept. 29, 2020). Limited funds are available for this two-year period.
For more information, visit nhexportassistance.com or contact Rachel Adams.
Tags: international trade, Office of International Commerce, STEP grant
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Another STEP for New Hampshire Businesses and International Trade
Wednesday, September 26th, 2018
The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, the City of Manchester, and the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority are pleased to announce expansion plans by one of New Hampshire’s largest employers and leader in its aerospace and defense industry.
BAE Systems is finalizing plans to occupy 3000 Goffs Falls Rd. to expand its operations. The 220,000-sf site, located off Brown Avenue, with close access to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and Interstates 93 and 293, will enable the company to attract the talent it needs to initially fill 400 high-paying positions. The Manchester Mayor and Board of Aldermen will consider details on the proposed expansion.
“This is a great example of how working quickly and creatively with the business community can yield impressive results,” said Gov. Chris Sununu. “No income or sales tax, great schools, incredible natural beauty, ease of access to urban centers and a vibrant and dynamic workforce all contribute to there really being no better place to live, work and raise a family. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to meet the needs BAE Systems expansion efforts and bring more job opportunities to Granite Staters.”
Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, said a collaborative effort with BAE Systems, the City of Manchester and the Business Finance Authority supported the needs of the company in making the decision to expand.
“There is no way we would have reached this point without deep collaboration among teams from our department, the City of Manchester, and the NH Business Finance Authority,” said Caswell. “Our ability to work as a team to help employers meet expansion or relocation goals is critical to what we offer as a state.”
The City of Manchester will continue its support of BAE Systems’ expansion, said Mayor Joyce Craig.
“I’m thrilled BAE Systems has chosen to expand here in Manchester,” she said. “Manchester is the economic hub for the state. This is the first time the City of Manchester, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the Business Finance Authority have worked together to bring new, good paying jobs into the Queen City. We now have a successful model, and I look forward to continue promoting Manchester’s pro-business environment.”
The New Hampshire Business Finance Authority understands the significance of BAE Systems to the state’s growing aerospace and defense industry, said Executive Director James Key Wallace.
“This partnership with BAE provides an exciting opportunity for Manchester and all of the communities supported by BAE’s significant presence in the state. Our innovative and collaborative approach to structuring this expansion shows that New Hampshire is able to attract world class companies who create high quality jobs,” he said.
Tags: BAE Systems, business expansion, Commissioner Taylor Caswell, Gov. Chris Sununu, Mayor Joyce Craig
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on State, City Collaboration Bringing New Tech Jobs to Manchester: BAE Systems Expanding NH Footprint with Big Plans in Manchester
Tuesday, September 25th, 2018
On the heels of a robust summer travel season, the Granite State is readying for what New Hampshire tourism officials expect to be a record-breaking fall season. The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development projects 3 million out-of-state, overnight visitors will spend $1.4 billion in New Hampshire this fall, marking a 4.5 percent increase for visitors and a 5 percent increase for spending.
“As the second-largest travel season in New Hampshire, representing about 25-percent of New Hampshire’s total annual visitation, the fall season plays a critical economic role in driving spending that supports a variety of businesses statewide,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “New Hampshire’s 4 percent increase in market share in Boston, and a 17 percent increase in the New York designated market area, reinforces the Granite State’s appeal as a travel destination.”
 Commissioner Taylor Caswell, left; Commissioner Shawn Jasper, Department of Agriculture DTTD has launched a new blog on visitnh.gov featuring custom content three times a week that highlights things to see and do and the interesting people that call the state home. Examples include the beauty of the Swift River, fall-themed family activities and a 10-stop, two-day road trip.
During the event at Brookdale Fruit Farm, DTTD unveiled its fall marketing campaign, which features fall activities, including hiking, foliage viewing, agritourism, dining, and shopping. This fall, DTTD aims to support and drive visitation though targeted digital and social media channels, as well as traditional channels, aimed at audiences throughout New England and New York, and markets in Toronto and Montreal.
“The division is tireless in its efforts to reinforce that the Granite State is the Northeast’s premier travel destination,” said Victoria Cimino, director of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development. “The new blog on visitnh.gov is a perfect example of that continuous evolution, offering fresh, new content from authentic, New Hampshire insiders.”
Scenic drives and outdoor recreation are among the most popular activities during the fall season, while visiting attractions, college homecomings, fairs and festivals, shopping, and visits to friends and relatives remain favorite fall activities. The Granite State’s fall season draws the largest percentage of visitors from outside New England.
New Hampshire offers an array of fall activities, events and destinations, including scenic foliage drives, apple picking, Deerfield Fair, Sandwich Fair, Apple Harvest Day, Riverfire, unique ways to experience New Hampshire’s foliage, New Hampshire Film Festival.
Tags: fall foliage, New Hampshire; Divsion of Travel and Tourism Development, visitnh.gov
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Record Spending, Visitation on the New Hampshire Fall Foliage Forecast
Monday, September 24th, 2018
An event highlighting rural New Hampshire and America takes place later this week and that was the topic of our monthly radio show, New Hampshire Business Matters, on WTPL, 107.7 FM.
One of the organizers, Mary Ann Kristiansen, executive director of the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene, joined us for a discussion about Radically Rural, a two-day summit to bring together radically rural ideas from around the country to help overcome and reverse some of the trends facing our rural communities – including job, income and population losses.
Join Business and Economic Affair’s Lorna Colquhoun and Mary Ann Kristiansen talking about Radically Rural on this month’s edition of New Hampshire Business Matters.
“We think they are amazing places to live and we’d like to ensure that they remain vibrant communities with thriving local economies,” she said.
Tune in for this interesting discussion and information on how to be a part of this event, which is drawing people from around the country.
Tags: Hannah Grimes, Mary Ann Kristiansen, Radically Rural, rural New Hampshire
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Radically Rural Event Highlights Rural Challenges and Opportunities
Tuesday, September 4th, 2018
 Commissioner Taylor Caswell New Hampshire had the highest population growth rate in the northeastern United States between 2016 and 2017, according to a recent study by Pew Charitable Trusts.
According to the Pew report, the state population increased by 0.58, approximately 8,000 people. Over the same period, the national median growth rate was 0.46 percent.
“This report adds to and confirms other data trends that are very encouraging,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “Census data have shown our net migration numbers increasing over the past two years, and the majority of those new residents are in that 25-44 age group we are targeting.”
Since it was established one year ago, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs has singularly focused on strengthening the state’s economy, through the work of its Divisions of Economic Development and Travel and Tourism Development.
“New Hampshire’s greatest asset is that it’s New Hampshire,” Caswell said. “Here you can work as an engineer in a biotech or precision manufacturing firm and after work be mountain biking while commuters in urban areas are still waiting just to get on the highway.”
Between 2016 and 2017, according to the Pew data, California had the next highest percentage of growth from New Hampshire, at 0.61 percent. Massachusetts, two spots below New Hampshire, grew at 0.53 percent.
Tags: growth, New Hampshire, population, Taylor Caswell
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on REPORT: New Hampshire Showing Strong Population Growth
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