Gov. Hassan signs SB 1, increasing and making permanent the research and development tax credit.
In the economic turmoil of a few years ago, it was research and development that helped a Jaffrey company specializing in graphite mold casting technology to produce precision metal parts for a variety of industries.
Val Zanchuck, president of Graphicast, said that R&D conducted right on the shop floor helped his team continue to be innovative, to offer customers cutting edge products, to be competitive and to get through tough times.
Val Zanchuck watches as Gov. Hassan signs SB1.
“Even in the depths of (the recession), we added a new product every two weeks,” Zanchuck said, adding that in one year, his company was able to produce 69 new products. He credits the research and development tax credit, enacted a few years ago for a defined amount of time, as helping Graphicast continue its work.
Today, he was among dozens of people celebrating as Gov. Maggie Hassan signed SB 1 into law. The bill, which quickly passed through the legislature, not only doubles the research and development tax credit from $1 million to $2 million, it makes it permanent.
“Increasing funding for the research-and-development tax credit also sends a message to entrepreneurs and businesses considering where to locate that the state of New Hampshire will continue to work with them to encourage innovation and invest in our economic future,” Hassan said. “By doubling funding for the R&D tax credit, we can help more businesses develop in New Hampshire the new products that can lead to growth and job creation. Making the credit permanent will also help businesses who might need the credit down the road to plan ahead.”
In remarks during the signing ceremony, Zanchuck called the R&D tax credit a “powerful tool” for manufacturers in the state.
“As a manufacturer, we have to constantly upgrade our manufacturing methods and processes to maintain a competitive business,” he said. “New product development and process improvements are our R&D. For us, this R&D does not take place in a laboratory, it takes place on the shop floor. The R&D tax credit helps provide resources that we reinvest to improve and accelerate these activities.”
With the governor’s signature this afternoon, SB 1 sends a message to our many businesses and companies that their hard work in creating the best product they can has value. Beyond New Hampshire, it is a welcome mat of sorts to companies that the Granite State appreciates the fresh ideas that create new products and, most importantly, the jobs that will follow.
A lot, if it’s over in Rochester (at the Granite State Business Park) and it’s called Innovation Way.
The bridge is officially open, now that the red ribbon has been cut.
It’s some great news from Rochester and Joe Morone, CEO of Albany International, spoke of the importance at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday morning.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development
Dec. 11, 2012
The business is what is says – a secured place for servers and networks, vital things needed in today’s society so we can do something as easy as hitting send on an email to processing monetary transactions.
Low moved the business – and his family – north from Massachusetts nearly a year ago, setting up in the Littleton Industrial Park, which in his search for a location, was appealing because of its fiber optics network and industrial power supply, as well as its distance from major population centers.
Why is that important?
Last month, one of the North Country’s newest companies was far enough away from the destruction of Superstorm Sandy to help businesses maintain continuity, which helped untold numbers of people maintain their continuity.
Although many of us well out of harm’s way had some inconvenience, like when our banks’ servers were affected, we suspect Kevin’s company got many others back on track, from the heart of the White Mountains.
So go ahead, we don’t mind — email a link to this post to your friends or tweet it to the universe.
Because you can …
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development
When the one of the world’s oldest textile recyclers outgrew its Massachusetts facility, the owners decided it made sense to expand just up the road.
To New Hampshire, in the Sagamore Industrial Park in Hudson.
And so we say hello and welcome to E. Butterworth & Co., which was founded in 1839. More than 170 years later, business is huge, company owner Bob Travis tells us, because since the company expanded earlier this summer, “we need twice as much space already.”
The company could have expanded closer to its Dracut, Mass. headquarters, but Bob says he likes the business climate in New Hampshire much better. He worked with business recruiter Cynthia Harrington to find a new facility and get connected with available resources.
Travis, his son, Ryan, and son-in-law Jeff Pearl, oversee the recycling of over 20 million pounds of textile waste each year – material that is kept out of the nation’s landfills and turned into rags used for industrial purposes.
The textiles come from all kinds of places – commercial laundries to clothing that’s well past its fashion era. Looking at the enormous bales of cloth, in a riots of colors, you can’t help but think that this is where old clothes go to die.
On the other hand, if it’s made of 100 percent cotton, it finds a different kind of purpose. Those fibers are sent off to a mill in Ohio that manufacturers the paper used to print U.S. currency, which makes E. Butterworth & Co. a pretty neat rags to riches story.
The Civil War-era building in the heart of downtown Keene belies the lean, green, sophisticated 21st century manufacturing operation inside the brick walls, with its state-of-the-art computer numerical controlled machinery operated by 43 skilled workers.
Whitney Brothers makes superior quality wood furniture, storage, display and educational play products for children. Their products can be found in schools, childcare centers, libraries and churches around the world.
Today, the plant hums at near capacity as it works to fulfill the largest single contract in its history and it’s an unlikely one: An order from the US Army.
It’s for a total of 3,614 cribs needed to upgrade its child development centers, located on military bases around the world. The order is a 3-year-contract, with two, one-year renewable options. The first year totals $866,000.
Production is humming at Whitney Brothers in Keene.
“Our company believes that childcare and early learning in a child’s first five years are critical to develop into productive citizens and we applaud the US Army for its support of those same values,” said David Stabler, president of Whitney Brothers. “We appreciate that the army recognized our American-made products represent better quality, safety and overall value vs. low-cost imports.”
Winning the contract took patience and perseverance and required meticulous preparation. It began in 2003, when Stabler met with Martha Keene of NH-PTAP, a program of the Division of Economic Development that helps New Hampshire companies sell their products and services to federal, state and local governments. He evaluated the government market, performed the necessary registrations and developed a strategy to generate government sales through the company’s existing network of distributors versus selling directly to the federal government.
The pivotal event in the process would not happen for another eight years. In 2011, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission enacted standards that necessitated the replacement of older cribs in public and private childcare centers with newer, safety-compliant units by the end of 2012. This included childcare facilities sponsored by the government, such as the US Army worldwide Childcare Development Centers. Whitney Brothers had prepared diligently for this opportunity, resulting in the US Army contract award in May 2012.
“We acknowledge the vital role that the NHPTAP and (the Department of Resources and Economic Development) played in helping us win this important contract,” said Brian Vaillancourt, director of sales and marketing. “These publicly funded organizations and the programs, training and assistance they provide helped us gain full visibility in front of the federal government customer and acquire this order. We advocate the current federal administration continue to support these invaluable resources.”
To fulfill the contract, Whitney Brothers hired 13 new employees – a 32 percent increase to its existing workforce.
Cindy Harrington, one of New Hampshire’s two business recruiters, remembers the day Frank Cummings called her. It was back in 2007 and there was traffic noise in the background.
Fast forward to the other day, one of those warm August days. Except for the sound of fingers flying over computer keyboards, there was little other noise in the Franklin Business Center, where AML Partners opened for business in May.
AML is short for Anti-Money Laundering and Frank is the company’s CEO. Previously located in New Jersey, it is a software development center that was founded after the 9/11 attacks and is dedicated to detecting and preventing terrorist financing and money laundering. AML is at the forefront of creating and developing tools that help banks look for patterns and behaviors that would indicate possible crime.
AML — sounds like it might be more at home in a place like New York or some other place heavy on financial interests. But Frank is a fellow who likes the outdoors, doesn’t like the rat race and saw real potential to fight fiscal crime from New Hampshire.
Which is why he called Cindy all those years ago.
Cynthia Harrington, business recruiter for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, congratulates Frank Cummings, right, on moving AML Partners from New Jersey to Franklin, NH. AML Partners has created 21st century tools to fight global financial crime. The company opened its New Hampshire office in May and "raided," says Cummings, the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord for its 11 employees.
Frank might have arrived sooner with the business, but “everyone knows what happened in 2008 – the economy took a bad turn and we had to delay” the move.
AML Partners opened on May 7 with a capable complement of employees “raided from the New Hampshire Technical Institute,” as Frank says.
Being able to find these educated employees was key to opening. One of the great parts of this story is how Frank reached out the NHTI, first seeking recommendations from professors of their promising students and now, as the business grows, from those students he hired.
“The average age of my workforce is 24-years-old,” he said. “I don’t have any jobs open because as soon as one becomes available, one of my people knows someone who can do the work.”
Those workers commute from as far away as Exeter and Manchester. Several we talked to feared they would be spending the summer – or longer – out of their chosen field. They are ecstatic to put their skills to work on the serious matter of fighting global financial crime.
We are glad that these young people did not have to leave New Hampshire to find their dream jobs.
Right now, AML Partners serves 32 international banking institutions in the U.S. and four other countries and about a dozen employees. Frank expects that to climb to 20 by the end of the year. On the day we visited, he’d secured a contract that would require him to immediately hire two more people.
In addition to just being an all-around great business story, it is illustrative of the process of recruitment. It doesn’t happen within days or weeks or months. It takes years and, as Cindy will tell you, lots of patience and persistence.
This is an all-around win for Frank,Franklin, NHTI and New Hampshire.
And Cindy has some more businesses coming our way.
Greenerpalooza V has come and gone, much like the last notes of a Santana set, who, by the way, rocked a capacity crowd at the Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion last night as the centerpiece to our annual summer celebration of all things good and green in the Granite State.
As you know, New Hampshire was chosen by CNBC last week as the Best State to Live In in the nation last week. That’s no surprise to those of us who get to call here home, but when you think about it, there is a reason why we are the envy of 49 other states and much of that has to do with with our environment. For the most part, it’s clean and fresh, in no small part because so many people are committed to keeping it that way.
Every summer, Greenerpalooza gets to celebrate that, by giving green a venue at Meadowbrook, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, and with a backdrop of music by a performer who upholds the cause. Santana was this year’s entertainer and a spot-on choice, given his work with Project Sole, which distributes shoes to people who need them and his commitment to the environment and sustainability.
The event gives us a chance to highlight a growing segment of our economy — businesses that help us all become more green. More than a dozen gathered in the eco-village, greeting concert goers and offering tips on everything from energy efficiency to environmentally friendly hair care products.
We honored the Greenerpalooza Green Business of the Year, which is R.C. Brayshaw and Company of Warner, a printer that celebrated its 33rd anniversary a couple of week ago.
“The company recognizes the value and importance of written words on printed materials we hold in our hands,” said Christopher Way, interim director of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, a co-sponsor of the event with Public Service of New Hampshire. “It is mindful of about limiting landfill waste and using chemicals and it has earned certification from the Forest Stewardship Council for its practices. R.C. Brayshaw is a company that understands what it takes to protect the environment.”
That sense of protection, said Jim Newcomb, vice president at R.C. Brayshaw and Company, has been a foundation of the business since Richard and Fran Brayshaw opened it in 1979.
“When they first started at the old (Waterloo) train station, they were told they could actually put their chemicals down the drain and right into the Warner River,” he said. “Richard Brayshaw had a vision for the environment and he decided not to do that and invested in holding tanks that would hold the chemicals for two weeks, when he would empty them.”
Green before green was cool, R.C. Brayshaw has consistently pursued the most environmentally friendly initiatives, including being a Forest Stewardship Council printer, installing energy efficient lighting in all facilities, recycling all paper waste, plates and even press chemistry. All company stationary is produced on 100 percent postconsumer waste paper as well.
“We are truly honored to receive this award and we will continue to be a role model for green initiatives with our clients and within our community,” Newcomb said.
Speaking of stewards, the Department of Environmental Services has been a watchdog for New Hampshire’s environmental resources for the past 25 years and Greenerpalooza was the perfect place to recognize its silver anniversary.
“The work that we have accomplished for the people of New Hampshire has not just been our work, but the work of all of us together,” said DES Commissioner Thomas Burack. “We firmly believe that a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand in hand in New Hampshire.”
We can’t calculate the greenbacks it takes to keep New Hampshire green and that’s why what we have is priceless.
Thanks to everyone who helps to keep it green and beautiful.
And so it was this morning at the Merrimack Premium Outlets, with the ribbon cutting and opening of 80 outlet stores.
It was a very festive time and the early bird shoppers were enthusiastic in both their appointed rounds and in their praise for the project, which brings to New Hampshire some high end fashion not available anywhere else. While there were deals to be had for the big event, it was good to see people pulling out their wallets and feeling confident enough to make a few purchases, like the three women from Derry who found the bargains they were looking for early in their shopping excursion.
More than that, it was good to see hundreds of people on retail’s front lines. We saw college students, moms, grandparents and others eagerly waiting to greet the first customers and being at work. We eavesdropped on a pep talk over at the Nike store and then the employees, dressed in orange and black, walked around the shops, clapping. And laughing.
Congratulations to Merrimack for being the site of this new outlet center, which is projected to attract more than 5 million visitors per year and employ more than 1,000. It will be a place close to home to find a special dress (or shoes), to window shop, or just be three gals from Derry or any other town, getting together, laughing, talking and having fun.
In the early spring, on a Monday morning, when you start it off with a groundbreaking ceremony for a 30,000-square-foot addition that is going to bring back 100 manufacturing jobs from China, it’s a good way to start the week.
[This is a terrific annual event attended by business leaders from across the state – if you’re a business owner in NH, not only will you get to network with terrific people, you’ll also learn a lot too. We’re proud to be a part of it, and hope you’ll be there, too!]
Small Business Day is an opportunity for small business owners and managers to meet New Hampshire’s top policy-makers, learn more about legislative issues that could affect your bottom line, and receive valuable information about tools to help your company grow and prosper. This event is presented in partnership with the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center and local and regional chambers of commerce and business associations and is sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, Bank of America and media sponsor NH Business Review.
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
7:30 a.m. – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – Welcoming Remarks
8:15 a.m. – Legislative Leadership Panel
What are the top small business issues facing the 2012 New Hampshire Legislature and how will our state’s top elected leaders resolve them?
9:05 a.m. – How do I do business with the state?
New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Linda Hodgdon will explain how to go about supplying the state with everything from pencils to pens, computers to calculators, & almost everything the state purchases.
9:55 a.m. – NH Employment Security Presentation
New Hampshire Department of Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon will provide an overview of what kinds of information is available in the Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau (ELMI), about its NH Working programs and how they can help businesses find the right applicant.
10:45 a.m. – Break
11:00 a.m. – Strategies for financing your business
Securing capital for your operation can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. However, it gets a lot easier if you know the resources that will be the best fit for you and your business. Come hear from commercial lenders, and representatives from alternative lending programs for finance options compatible with your growth.
11:50 a.m. – Closing Remarks
REGISTRATION
Cost is $15 per person and registration is required. To register, call 224-5388 x113 or visit www.nhbia.org and click on January 31 on the events calendar.
