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Posts Tagged ‘New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’

Throughout April, Business was on the Agenda in New Hampshire

Thursday, May 2nd, 2019

Calling All Millennial-preneurs! Here’s a Program to Get You Started

Thursday, January 15th, 2015

Seth A. Goodall is the New England Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration. We run into him frequently when he comes to New Hampshire. -Ed.

 

Millennials, born between 1980 and the mid-2000s, are the largest generation in the U.S., representing one-third of the total U.S. population in 2013.

Millennials are a technologically connected and diverse generation. Their unprecedented enthusiasm for technology has the potential to spark change in traditional economic institutions and the labor market. The priority that millennials place on creativity and innovation make them an important engine for the U.S. economy for decades ahead.

Millennials were born to be entrepreneurs and at SBA in New England, we’re making millennial entrepreneurship dreams come true. For example, in Center Ossipee, NH, millennial entrepreneurs Matt Trahan and Ash Fischbein of The Sap House Meadery harnessed assistance from Kit McCormick of the NH Small Business Development Center to jumpstart their business.

It’s exciting to witness millennials becoming entrepreneurial trailblazers in our local communities and neighborhoods with SBA assistance.

Despite their promise, unemployment remains high among millennials – one in four millennials are experiencing unemployment. Millennials who grow up in underserved communities face even higher rates of poverty and unemployment. Young African-Americans and Latinos under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be unemployed.

For many young millennials of color, entrepreneurship isn’t about monetizing a hobby for some extra cash, it’s about finding a way to support themselves. Research shows that more than half of millennials are interested in starting their own business, especially African-American and Hispanic males.

That’s why the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Maria Contreras-Sweet recently announced the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative for Millennial Entrepreneurs. It’s a new federal outreach and education campaign to help America’s millennials become what we call “enterprise-ready.”

President Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by young people of color and to ensure that all young people can overcome challenges and achieve their potential. The President’s new economic opportunity agenda for millennials creates new policies to support this generation.

At the SBA, our message to millennials is clear. It’s a message of inclusion and possibility to help jumpstart their small business potential in where their talents and interests lie. Overall, we want to help millennials start, grow, and succeed as small business owners and we won’t charge them a dime for it.

Entrepreneurship can be the answer if your question is “What’s next for me?” If you’re a potential millennial entrepreneur or know someone that is, click here to learn more.

 

What’s App? NH Emergency Alert App Now Available

Tuesday, January 6th, 2015

We first talked about it last month, when we sat down with Perry Plummer, director of  New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management, on the monthly New Hampshire Business Matters segment on WTPL-FM107. He and our director, Carmen Lorentz, spoke about the resources available to business owners in the event of an emergency or disaster.

NHAlert

The NH Alerts app

The latest (and free) tool is now available, with the launch this week of the NH Alerts mobile app, which notifies users of hazards in the area based upon cellphone location.

“The NH Alerts app takes emergency notification to the next level,” Director Perry Plummer said. “Those with the NH Alerts app on their phone will know about safety issues in their area, from accidents and road closures, to hazardous
weather and active shooters. We can now send messages directly to those people who are in the path of danger. I strongly encourage everyone to download this app.”

The NH Alerts app provides warnings via an audible tone and the types of alerts received can be customized to enable users to determine the frequency with which warnings are received. It works with iPhone and Android cellphones and is available via links on ReadyNH.gov.

If you are a New Hampshire resident and you do not have a smartphone or want warnings sent to your traditional phone, sign up to receive emergency information by landline or other non-smartphone methods. Encourage friends, family members and colleagues who live in New Hampshire to enroll with their information.

If you need help with the NH Alerts mobile application, call toll-free at 866-533-6935 or send an email via the support section.

The NH Alerts app is free to all, whether you live here or are visiting from another state.

Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development

Business Continuity: A Plan Worth Preparing

Monday, December 22nd, 2014

Plummer

Director Carmen Lorentz, Director Perry Plummer

Once a month – at 3:05 pm every third Wednesday – NH Economy hosts New Hampshire Business Matters on WTPL-FM 107 (through the sponsorship of Sugar River Bank). Guests of Director Carmen Lorentz include business leaders who speak about highlights, trends and resources available to help their industries grow and prosper.

This month, Perry Plummer, director of State Homeland Security and Emergency Management, came on the air waves to talk about preparedness in when business is disrupted in events like storms, power outages and even illness.

Being prepared for the things you may think will never happen to you is important. Why? About 40 percent of businesses never reopen after a disaster.

It’s worth a listen to this month’s program, especially to find out more information about the new app debuting next month – NH Alert. Our website also has information about preparing your business continuity plan.

Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
Division of Economic Development

 

Spotlight on Government Contracting: NH’s $2B Industry

Tuesday, December 16th, 2014

New Hampshire Public Radio took an extensive look at government contracting on Monday, after spending a morning recently at a training seminar in Littleton with David Pease, program manager for the New Hampshire Procurement Technical Assistance Program.

NHPTAPNH PTAP (for short) is one of the free services we offer here at the Division of Economic Development and its mission is to assist small businesses in navigating the waters (and currents) of government contracting. It’s not exactly easy, but patience and persistance can pay off.

Chris Jensen, North Country correspondent for NHPR, produced this segment and if you are a small business, it’s well worth the  four-minute listen.* And then visit our NH PTAP website.

Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development

* Some examples of the kinds of services and products for which the government is contracting with New Hampshire businesses include: Bags and sacks; bakery products; ball and roller bearings; battery and power systems; biological studies; body armor; building rental; buoys; packaging materials; paint; paper shredders; paving; plaques; plumbing, heating, HVAC; precast concrete; property management … and that’s only part of the list!

High Liner Foods Opens US Headquarters in Portsmouth

Monday, December 15th, 2014

High Liner Foods cuts the red ribbon on its new corporate headquarters in Portsmouth.

High Liner Foods cuts the red ribbon on its new corporate headquarters in Portsmouth.

We headed out to Portsmouth on Friday to join the festivities as a company celebrated the opening of its US headquarters at the Pease International Tradeport.

High Liner Foods cut a red ribbon on its brand-new, state-of-the-art building, which will be home to 110 full-time employees, relocated from its former US headquarters in Danvers, Mass.

“The opening of this new facility is an important milestone for High Liner Foods,” said Keith Decker, president and chief operating officer. “The company has grown significantly over the last several years, particularly in the U.S., and the relocation and design of the new building will help us serve our customers better and attract and retain the top talent required for continued growth into the future.”

High Liner Foods are sold around the world and in North America, under brands including under the High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel and Sea Cuisine.

HIGH LINER FOODS INCORPORATED - High Liner Foods' New U.S. HQ

High Liner Foods US Headquarters, Portsmouth

Its new facility features advanced communications technology, a cutting-edge culinary innovation center and research and development facility, an open workspace environment that encourages employees to collaborate and it was designed and built using sustainable building principles.

There is space for future expansion and is located only two miles away from the company’s Portsmouth manufacturing facility at 1 Highliner Ave., bringing management and the culinary team in closer proximity to the manufacturing site.

“With a design that reflects our updated branding, we believe the new building will inspire employees to continue fulfilling our recently formalized mission: to radically simplify selecting, preparing and enjoying seafood at its best,” Decker said.

High Liner Foods worked with the Division of Economic Development as it explored the move to New Hampshire.

“The property was really perfect for the relocation,” said Michael Bergeron, senior business development manager. “It’s close to the manufacturing facility and the cost of establishing the US headquarters was less expensive here than in Massachusetts.”

If you are keeping track, High Liner Foods is the latest company in the past few months to relocate its corportate headquarters from the Bay State to the New Hampshire Seacoast, joining Andover Healthcare and SMC Aerospace.

Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development

 

The Value of the Ex-Im Bank to NH Businesses

Friday, December 12th, 2014

Nathaniel Nelson is an international trade officer for the Office of International Commerce, which welcomed him aboard this fall. He takes a look at the discussion about the Export-Import Bank and how it works for New Hampshire businesses. -Ed.

With its charter set to expire sometime next spring, there is much discussion about the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) and its value to American businesses.

Recently, New Hampshire’s Office of International Commerce joined in the conversation by attending a roundtable discussion with US Sen. Kelly Ayotte and the Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President, Fred Hochberg. The roundtable discussion, hosted at Seaboard International Forest Products in Nashua, focused on the impact the Ex-Im Bank has had on helping New Hampshire businesses pursue and finance export opportunities.

The discussion highlighted the importance of reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank’s charter and how Granite State businesses can make that happen.

The Ex-Im Bank is the export credit agency of the United States, providing export financing when there are gaps in what private lenders can provide or situations where lenders are unable, or unwilling, to accept credit risk. Businesses are able to obtain Ex-Im Bank products, such as working capital guarantees and export-credit insurance. Exporting is important to New Hampshire businesses. International trade helps them to reach new markets, increase sales and create jobs.

The long history of the Ex-Im Bank speaks to its value and importance. Over the last five years, Ex-Im Bank resources have supported 1.2 million American jobs, generated $2 billion in surplus for U.S. taxpayers and financed exports with a value exceeding $188 million.

Here in New Hampshire, the Ex-Im Bank has been a tremendous resource to our businesses; its authorizations translate into $375 million of total export value.

In the debate about the reauthorization of Ex-Im Bank, there has been great debate. Both sides have valid points.

At the recent roundtable, the consensus was that the Ex-Im Bank provides a great service, especially to small businesses.

For example, international sales at Boyle Energy Services and Technology in Concord have grown about 75 percent in the past few years, according to CEO Mike Boyle, in part because Ex-Im Bank had resources that made it possible.

Another business representative noted that his company’s access to Ex-Im Bank resources reached down the supply chain, helping to finance companies with which it works.

Sen. Ayotte called for the Ex-Im Bank to be reauthorized for a longer period and encouraged businesses and residents to let Congress know of its value.

The global market place is growing, evidenced by the United Nations’ projections that the global economy will grow more than 3 percent by 2017.

Now is the time for New Hampshire businesses to take advantage of the resources, like the Ex-Im Bank, that will launch them into global markets.

Nate

 

 

 

 Nathaniel Nelson
International Trade Officer
Office of International Commerce

What Do the Patriots, the Bruins and New Hampshire Have in Common? Andover Healthcare

Friday, December 5th, 2014

Michael Bergeron, senior business development manager with the NH Division of Economic Development, left, joins Bill Bauld, CFO of Andover Healthcare and retail lead Mayra Lemus at the company’s new facility at the Pease International Tradeport.

Michael Bergeron, senior business development manager with the NH Division of Economic Development, left, joins Bill Bauld, CFO of Andover Healthcare and retail lead Mayra Lemus at the company’s new facility at the Pease International Tradeport.

Andover Healthcare Inc., a leading manufacturer of cohesive bandages and tapes for the healthcare, animal health and sports medicine industries, has purchased space at the Pease International Tradeport and will relocate its corporate headquarters from Salisbury, Mass. in 2015.

The company has hired six new employees and anticipates hiring 20 more, as well as relocating its corporate staff next year.

“‘Live Free and Prosper’ rings true for us,” said Andover Healthcare President Tom Murphy, who lives in New Hampshire. “We are thrilled to open a facility in New Hampshire.”

Murphy founded the company in the 1976, providing athletic tape to the Boston Bruins. A few years later, the New England Patriots’ trainers began using the tape and by the mid-1990s, Andover Health had grown as an industry leader in bandages for healthcare and animal care.

Two years ago the company expanded into the retail market with customers such as Walgreens and CVS.

“We recently received a large contract with Wal-Mart,” said Murphy, “and we needed to be in production quickly – the facility in Portsmouth is the perfect fit.”

The 52,000-square-foot Pease facility will produce elastic bandages for 3,500 Wal-Mart stores across the U.S.

“We are investing $700,000 in new equipment and we will also relocate our corporate offices to New Hampshire in 2015,” said CFO Bill Bauld. “Michael Bergeron of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development was helpful to us in coordinating tax credits, financing options and job training programs.”

“On behalf of the people of New Hampshire, I am honored to welcome Andover Healthcare to the Granite State,” said Gov. Maggie Hassan. “Andover Healthcare’s relocation reinforces that our low-tax environment, responsive state government and high quality of life make New Hampshire as attractive a state for business as any in the country. Andover Healthcare’s presence in our state will help expand middle class opportunity and will keep our economy moving in the right direction.”

For more information on job openings, visit www.andoverhealthcare.com.

For information on expanding or relocating a business to New Hampshire, contact Michael Bergeron, senior business development manager for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, at 603-271-2591.

Welcome to New Hampshire!

Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development

NH SBDC Turns 30! Join the Celebration!

Thursday, November 13th, 2014

The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center celebrates 30 years of helping people turn their dream of opening a business into reality. State Director Mary Collins is our guest blogger today and she joins us at 3 pm next Wednesday (Nov. 19) on our radio show on WTPL-FM 107.7, New Hampshire Business Matters. Happy Anniversary and many more. – Ed.

There’s more to a business than bricks and mortar. Inside every door are people who took their dreams and passion and put them to work. For every single business in New Hampshire, big or small, there’s a story and who doesn’t love a good story?

SBDCThe New Hampshire Small Business Development Center turns 30 this month and we’ve been having a great time telling the stories of some of the thousands of people we’ve met since 1984, helping them to forge their vision, turning it into a business and success.

We’re also throwing a party, and you’re invited, but we’ll get to that in a minute.

NH SBDC is reaching out across the years to connect with clients, partners, staff, advisory board members, supporters and friends with one simple request – we want your face. Email your photos, along with your name, affiliation, and how you are/were connected with us to nh.sbdc@unh.edu or post it to our Facebook page, or tweet it @NHSBDC #nhsbdc30th.

For the past few weeks, we have been featuring these folks on our Facebook and Business Tips pages. All the photos received will become part of the Faces of SBDC slideshow at the upcoming anniversary party.

Set aside 5:30 to 8 pm next Thursday (Nov. 20) at Dyn (150 Dow St., Manchester) for the celebration, which will feature refreshments (including wines, craft beers and mead) and door prizes, many from our past and present clients. We’ll premiere our short film and Gov. Hassan has been invited.

Register here.

We couldn’t turn 30 with our anniversary sponsors: Northeast Utilities – PSNH; Business NH Magazine, TD Bank; UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics; Peter T. Paul, and Peter Paul Wines.  And we also thank our funding partners for 30 years:  U.S. Small Business Administration, the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development and the University of New Hampshire.

Mary Collins

State Director

NH Small Business Development Center

A Different Kind of Marketing Conference

Monday, November 10th, 2014

 

When you see “Dare. Play. Breakthrough.” on the signs promoting a business conference, you know you’re in for a different kind of experience.

The ‘A-Ha!’ Summit, which this agency helped launch back in 2009, is celebrating its sixth year of bringing the latest information in marketing and social media to New Hampshire professionals. This year, the conference is happening from 9 am to 4 pm, Thursday (Nov. 13) at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.

Lani and Allen Voivod, the co-owners of Epiphanies, Inc. in Gilford and co-founders of the Summit, say that they’re thrilled to showcase “top experts in email marketing, mobile marketing, digital media, Instagram for business, content creation, results-driven success coaching, community building, online visibility, and energetic technology.”

The mix, they say, has to do with delivering the right combination of cutting-edge stuff, plus topics that help people get better at the things they’re already doing, and sessions and activities that get people out of their comfort zones.

Definitely not your typical business event.

Of course, we’ve been to the conference every year, and there’s a great opportunity for networking, too, since it draws attendees from a wide range of industries. Business owners, entrepreneurs, marketing managers and staff, and nonprofits groups have all been represented in the past.

One new wrinkle in the event is their keynote speaker, Roderick Russell, and his bio is unusual, to say the least. He’s described as a “professional sword swallower, mentalist, hypnotist and  speaker, driven by an intense desire to explore the fringe of human experience. The author and host of Remarkably Human: The Art & Science of Being Remarkable, his work has been also featured on the Discovery Channel, the Travel Channel, CNN, MTV, Maxim Magazine, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and more.” Seems like the right guy to be giving a talk called “Dare to Be Remarkable.”

The other notable in the agenda is the “Online Domination” panel, which promises to cover “branding, responsive design, Internet performance, inbound marketing, search engine optimization, and trend-watching in business for 2015 and beyond.” And what conference would be complete without a free lunch and continental breakfast?

Lani and Allen tell us there are a few seats left, and the place to get tickets is at http://AhaSummit.com. Be sure to find us there and say hello!