A dozen lucky Massachusetts companies will be receiving gifts and love letters from a not so-secret admirer this Valentine’s Day – the NH Division of Economic Development’s business recruitment team which is trying to transform a long distance relationship into a long term marriage.
New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Business Recruiter Cindy Harrington (l.) and State Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron (r.) flank GoumetGiftBaskets.com Director of Corporate Sales Jason Bergeron as they prepare to ship Valentine's Day gift baskets to a dozen of the Granite State's hottest Massachusetts prospects.
The Division of Economic Development today unveiled what is being affectionately termed the “XOXO Initiative,” a cooperative partnership with Manchester, NH-based GourmetGiftBaskets.com to encourage Massachusetts companies to expand or relocate to the Granite State. A dozen handpicked Massachusetts firms will be receiving gift baskets filled with specialty chocolate, maple syrup, dipped pretzels and a New Hampshire baseball cap. However, the centerpiece of arrangement is a love letter complete with a lipstick kiss and the “hope of starting something very beautiful together.”
“This is a creative way to let Massachusetts companies know that we have a lot to offer and are ready to help them learn how they can prosper in a state with no sales or income tax and an excellent quality of life,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Business development is a courtship and we hope that this small gesture will demonstrate that we’re serious about establishing long lasting relationships with some great companies.”
Companies targeted through the “XOXO Initiative” range from a healthcare high tech firm to an electronics manufacturer. Each of the firms was carefully selected by the business recruitment team based on a number of criteria including firm size, proximity to the border and likelihood of relocation or expansion.
“We’re looking for companies that are both innovative and in the stage of their growth cycle where they might be receptive to our message,” Duddy said. “We recognize that this is a big decision, but are also convinced that New Hampshire offers so many great opportunities in terms of available real estate, a skilled workforce and access to state decision makers.”
GourmetGiftBaskets.com Director of Corporate Sales Jason Bergeron said that his company, which last year broke the Guinness Book of World Records record for the World’s Largest Cupcake to raise funds for Susan G. Komen’s Passionately Pink for the Cure, is happy to lend its assistance to a creative marketing campaign.
“As a New Hampshire-based company and winner of NBC’s Best Gift Basket Contest, we’re proud to use our talents to help our home state attract new companies and create jobs,” Bergeron said. “Valentine’s Day is one of our busiest holidays of the year and it’s nice to be able to help the State of New Hampshire share its warm feelings with some new friends.”
To learn more about the Division of Economic Development’s recruitment efforts, please visit www.nhopeninvitation.com. To learn more about GourmetGiftBaskets.com, visit www.GourmetGiftBaskets.com.