New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy was recently featured on Comcast’s Newsmakers program providing an overview of the resources available to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the state through the MyExpertNet initiative.
Host Jenny Johnson and Duddy discussed the many inquiries that are flowing into the site and how the new site is providing 24-hour access to experts for budding entrepreneurs, CEOs of existing companies and line workers alike. Duddy noted that technical assistance and resources needed to be computerized for better, more efficient support of these business professionals, and that it can be confusing to search for solutions on the Internet when you don’t know who to trust. So the state pre-qualified volunteers who would serve as experts on a wide array of topics and industry areas, to give expert answers that help people through their decision processes.
Go to http://www.MyExpertNet.org to connect with the expert business help you need, all free of charge. MyExpertnet was developed by the NH-based Knowledge Institute, in partnership with Comcast, the NH Division of Economic Development, PSNH, Unitil, and Centrix Bank.
Please be sure to check out the Division of Economic Development’s own Christine Davis who will be hosting a special edition of NH Public Television’s “Outlook” program this Friday on Channel 11 at 6 p.m. to discuss businesses that not only survived, but thrived during the recession. Here’s a background piece that Christine recently wrote about the experience:
The recession impacted just about every business in New Hampshire. Some of those businesses are now closed, some are still struggling and others are growing. I wanted to know more about those that are growing and what they were doing to get there.
I don’t often get lucky, but I certainly felt lucky (and flattered) when I received a call from N.H. Public Television asking me if I would like to guest host a special edition of “N.H. Outlook.” Since it was up to me to choose the topic, I decided to seek out businesses that used the challenges of the recession to rethink how they were running their businesses, take some risks and make changes.
NH Division of Economic Development Business Services Specialist Christine Davis
Many businesses weathered the recession through cutbacks, dipping into financial reserves or picking up customers from businesses that closed. That’s all well and fine, but I wanted to meet with people who took a risk and made changes to how they ran their business. It takes courage to take a risk, especially when you have staff that is counting on your decision-making abilities for their livelihood.
I met with four very different businesses with very different stories. They did possess one common trait — a willingness to overcome adversity by taking risks and making changes to how they ran their businesses.
The owners of The Governor’s Inn in Rochester, Herman and Anthony Ejarque, did a complete 180 in the type of atmosphere that they offer their patrons. Gone are the linen napkins and menus loaded with French words. Now you will find walls covered in Spaulding High School sports memorabilia and hamburgers on the menu. Their other initiatives will also be discussed during the broadcast on Dec. 10.
I also spent time speaking with Geoff Martin, owner of the Cedar Mill Group in Webster. Martin’s home remodeling business was on the brink of disaster when he decided he had to go against the status quo for his industry. His competitors thought he was crazy, but Martin’s business is now thriving, and his only regret is that he didn’t make the change sooner.
Another great story is Goss International in Durham. Known for manufacturing print presses, Goss is taking its manufacturing capabilities in some new directions, including wind turbines. While they still manufacture print presses as their core business, they are using their resources in ways that might surprise you and most certainly will inspire.
My fourth guest is a real bundle of energy and determination. Scott Johnson started Certified Parts Warehouse on the second floor of the old Stratham Town Hall in 1992. He now has two buildings in Dover and a rapidly growing business due to his willingness to take risks and embrace change. Johnson’s story is about how developing all potential aspects of your business — combined with a commitment to the highest quality products and services — can only lead to good things.
I hope you will join me by tuning into this special edition of “N.H. Outlook” to learn more about these insightful and inspiring stories. The show airs on N.H. Public Television, Channel 11, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10. Repeat showings will be at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12 and on Monday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Christine J. Davis is a business resource specialist with the N.H. Division of Economic Development. She can be reached at 271-2591 or Christine.Davis@dred.state.nh.us.
Vaupell Rapid Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vaupell Molding and Tooling, Inc., has expanded to 20 Executive Drive in Hudson. Michael Bergeron, Business Development Manager for the NH Division of Economic Development, assisted the company in exploring state and federal programs available to growing companies.
Vaupell General Manager Stratton Smith and NH Division of Economic Development Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron celebrate Vaupell’s recent expansion in Hudson.
Steady growth over the last two years has allowed Vaupell to renovate a 37,500 square foot space and hire an additional nine people over their 50 employee base. Vaupell is a global contract manufacturer of custom injection molded components and assemblies focused on the aerospace, medical, and defense marketplaces. The new facility has a wide variety of processes and technologies to produce prototypes to full production assemblies from a wide range of materials including plastics, metals and composites.
“Vaupell is a great example of a high value manufacturing company in New Hampshire that is very competitive in the world market and is growing in New Hampshire because of the skilled labor and lower cost of businesses,” Bergeron said.
“We considered other states,” added Vaupell General Manager Stratton Smith, “but our quality people in Hudson and New Hampshire’s business friendly attitude made the difference.”
The company continues to working with Michael Bergeron on securing Enterprise Revitalization Zone tax credits. The program is an incentive for businesses to create new jobs. With the Economic Revitalization Zone Tax Credits (ERZ Tax Credit) Program, a company may be eligible for tax credits to be used against their Business Profit Tax and Business Enterprise Tax in a qualifying Economic Revitalization Zone Tax Credits (ERZ Tax Credit) Program project.
Want to succeed in business? Try putting a smile on your face. Productivity and the power of positive thinking are inextricably linked in today’s global economy according to Paul Boynton, author of Begin With Yes, and keynote speaker at the 15th Annual NH Economic Development Summit to take place at Southern New Hampshire University on December 1st from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
"Begin With Yes" Author Paul Boynton
“The world’s most successful entrepreneurs have all discovered that whatever you focus your attention on is what you attract into your life,” Boynton said. “Thinking happy, productive and positive thoughts leads to the type of bottom line results that make the difference between a good idea and a Fortune 500 company. It sounds simple, but those who’ve mastered this philosophy swear to its effectiveness not only in the boardroom but in life.”
Boynton, an award-winning human services CEO who has been recognized for distinguished service and excellence in nonprofit management, published Begin With Yes last year and embraces its message, donating 10% of all book sales to non-profits. A personal coach, corporate consultant, and motivational speaker with degrees in social work and counseling, Boynton writes the column Making Good Things Happen at Work and hosts the weekly television talk show, Begin with Yes on MCTV.
Boynton was a fitting choice for this year’s Annual NH Economic Development Summit which has set “Growing on Solid Ground” as its theme. Presented by the NH Division of Economic Development in cooperation with Public Service of NH, Sales Protocol and media sponsor NH Business Review, the Summit features three panel discussions – “Innovation and Inspiration – the New Hampshire Entrepreneur,” “Look Beyond the Label – Workplace Inclusion Makes Perfect Business Sense” and “Keeping It Young – Youth Retention in the Granite State.”
Songwriter/Musician Jim Tyrrell
“We really wanted this year’s event to demonstrate that New Hampshire’s economy remains vibrant, strong and creative,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “We are well positioned for growth both in-state and in terms of business attraction, so why not accentuate the positive and showcase some excellent programs and people?”
“Public Service of NH is once again pleased to sponsor this summit which brings together economic development practitioners, elected officials, business professionals and educators to gain insight into the economy,” said Public Service of NH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott who will provide an overview of the Hydro Quebec Project. “Information sharing is key to ensuring the strength of our business community and this event gives us a chance to network with and learn from some of the best and brightest entrepreneurial minds in New Hampshire.”
For the third consecutive year, Scott Spradling of The Spradling Group will serve as the guest emcee of this daylong event that will also feature the “Commissioner’s Awards for Economic Development Excellence.” Songwriter/musician Jim Tyrrell, who recently released his third full-length album Onward to Yesterday, will perform throughout the day at the Summit.
Admission is free but is limited to the first 200 people. To register, contact Leslie Sherman at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us.
The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development has announced the hiring of three key new members of its team.
Gary Chabot and Christine Davis will serve as Business Service Specialists covering the Greater Manchester/Nashua and Seacoast areas respectively while Leanne Spees has been named International Trade Resource Center International Trade Officer. In their new positions, Chabot and Davis will work hand in hand with companies on issues ranging from permitting and site selection to energy efficiency and workforce training while also providing strategic counsel to local community and economic development officials. Spees will work to educate New Hampshire businesses on the finer points of exporting products and services abroad.
Gary Chabot
Chabot previously worked as a Certified Business Counselor for the NH Small Business Development Center in all regions of the state and for the VT Small Business Development Center in the Connecticut River Valley. His real estate experience includes serving as an internal business consultant for an international real estate corporation, Coldwell Banker Corporation, in NH and VT, as Executive Director of a housing agency, as Real Estate Director for the Pease Development Authority, and as a Vice President in real estate firms involved with investment, development, leasing and appraisal of major commercial properties in southern NH.
Christine Davis
Davis was most recently the Executive Director of the NH Women’s Business Center, a statewide non-profit that provided educational support to women-owned businesses. Previously, she was the Executive Director of the Franco-American Centre in Manchester, an educational and cultural organization that promotes the history, culture and language of French-speaking individuals. Davis serves on the board of CONFR, the Council of Non-Profit Fundraising and is a committee member for the Exeter Chamber Children’s Fund.
Leanne Spees
Spees worked for over 18 years in international trade and finance for Irving Trust Company and Bank of New York in New York City, and FleetBoston Financial in Boston, MA. In these positions, she called on small businesses and large corporate clients that conducted business in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Spees speaks French, Portuguese, and Spanish, has traveled extensively, and has lived abroad in Switzerland, Brazil, and Kenya. She is a Board member and Treasurer of Art-Speak, the City of Portsmouth’s Cultural Commission, and a member of the Portsmouth Rotary Club.
“The addition of these three top shelf business professionals is excellent news for the New Hampshire business community,” New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy said. “With skill, enthusiasm and expertise, they will make a very positive difference in our efforts to grow and sustain a world class economy.”
For the third consecutive year, the NH Insurance Department and NH Division of Economic Development will join exhibitors at the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Annual Conference, to be held October 17-19, 2010 at the Hilton Baltimore in Baltimore, MD. The state welcomes conference attendees to visit booth #9 and “sow the seeds of business success” by accepting a gift of black-eyed Susans, the seeds of which are embedded in plantable business cards.
Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron is representing the state at this year’s conference. Serving NH citizens since 1997, Bergeron works directly with businesses considering relocating or expanding to New Hampshire. He provides a wide range of services, ranging from site analysis and selection to facilitating state financing and incentive packages. In the insurance industry alone, he has helped nine insurance companies redomesticate to New Hampshire in the last two years.
“As the most livable state in the nation, New Hampshire offers an exceptional business environment for insurance companies,” notes Roy Duddy, Interim Director for the NH Division of Economic Development. “With the lowest insurance premium tax in the Northeast, no personal income tax or sales tax, and ready access to skilled labor, businesses and employees alike enjoy the many rewards of working and playing in the Granite State.”
Joining Bergeron at this year’s ACLI conference is Allen Voivod of social marketing company Epiphanies, Inc., which has helped the Division of Economic Development double their website traffic and create one of the largest economic development presences on Facebook in the US. Voivod will be interviewing industry leaders and capturing highlights to share on the state’s new industry-specific “Redomesticate NH” social channels on Facebook and Twitter.
We received a great account of Wednesday night’s Gainful Employment Seminar held by our friends at Savvy Workshop. Special thanks to Print Savvy President Lisa Landry for sending along this release as well as for offering such an excellent resource for citizens looking for work.
STATE OF NH AND LOCAL BUSINESSES GET CREATIVE TO HELP JOB SEEKERS
By all accounts, last night’s Gainful Employment Seminar at Savvy Workshop was a huge success. Initiated by Lisa Landry, President and CEO of Print Savvy, Inc. and the Savvy Workshop, the meeting was well attended and facilitated by Fran Allain, Employee Retention Project Manager for the State of New Hampshire’s Division of Economic Development.
NH Division of Economic Development Employee Retention Project Manager Fran Allains shares her experiences with local job seekers.
Fran shared her heart-wrenching story about her own difficult layoff and her personal journey to finding meaningful employment again, after reinventing herself and her career. Having had the experience herself, she understands and empathizes with those affected by economic downturn. She gave us an overview of the programs, job boards and support systems available through the available through the State of New Hampshire, the NH Works offices and the Office of Workforce Opportunity to those currently looking for work.
Also on hand were Greg Fall, Vice President at Career Management Associates of Bedford, NH and Pam Oliwa, the Rapid Response Coordinator for the NH Office of Workforce Opportunity. Both Greg and Pam shared ideas and strategies for getting hired. Greg also gave an extensive class on resume development and met one on one with each candidate to discuss specific strategies that will help them to stand out and differentiate themselves from the crowded field of applicants that might be also seeking the same position.
Rapid Response Coordinator Pam Oliwa talks about resources available to help citizens pursue new career paths.
Together, they explored the best ways to increase a job seeker’s value in the marketplace. Most attendees were unemployed an average of 18 months – but some as few as three or four weeks. Also in attendance were currently employed individuals, looking to make a change, recent college grads and underemployed professionals looking for more gainful employment.
“I’ve been in the job market for over 25 years, and this is definitely the most difficult job market I’ve ever seen,” said Lisa Landry. “My inbox has been flooded with resumes for the past two years. Most of these folks are talented, hard working, experienced professionals that I know and have worked with in the past. I wanted to do something to help them and to let them know their value is still there – and that there is light at the end of the tunnel!”
The Savvy Workshop will be hosting a second session to further support our friends and colleagues who are seeking gainful employment on Sept 8, 2010 from 6 – 9 PM. Dawn Cerrato of Synergy Management Associates will be presenting. Registrations are now being taken at http://www.gainfulemployment2.eventbrite.com.
Savvy Workshop is a multi-channel marketing organization, leveraging print, web, social media, email and event marketing to help our clients succeed. They can help you do it, too!
Savvy Workshop
55 So. Commercial Street
Manchester, NH 03101
http://www.savvyworkshop.com/
Every once in awhile, something hits my email box that gives me a great creative charge – it’s always inspiring to be surrounded by talented people and we at the Division of Economic Development are blessed to be working with some incredible folks.
With that in mind, I’d like to share the following video clip that was created by Lani and Allen Voivod over at Epiphanies, Inc. As our personal “social media gurus,” this dynamic duo has consistently raised the bar in terms of our creativity, willingness to try new things and bring State communications efforts to a whole new level.
The Epiphanies gang was not only an active participant in our Greenerpalooza event, they are also furthering their commitment to green causes by volunteering as members of our Granite Green Team at tomorrow night’s Pat Benatar/REO Speedwagon concert at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion.
Thanks for always walking the walk and for giving us this incredible video package Team Voivod!
-Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Romance, recycling and a healthy dose of frontier justice – that’s what’s on tap in the newest “Earth friendly” entries on No Bull TV.
For those of you who’ve forgotten (which is understandable as we haven’t been posting a ton of videos lately in advance of our latest extravagonzos), No Bull TV is the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s YouTube station featuring vids on Greenerpalooza, the WMUR Project Economy Job Fair and Career Expo, the Jericho ATV Park and more.
This year, as previously referenced on the No Bull Business Blog, we have partnered with the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion, Citizens Bank, Public Service of NH, Epiphanies Inc., New Hampshire Business Review and The Mountain to not only present Greenerpalooza III on August 12th, but to unveil the Granite Green Team, very much in evidence at select Meadowbrook concerts.
The Granite Green Team, a squad of eco-volunteers clad in very cool t-shirts designed by our friends at The Mountain, hands out seed cards with recycling and energy efficiency information on them at concerts throughout the Meadowbrook season. Located on the card is information that can also be used to sponsor the planting of a tree, a great way to build sustainability and encourage green practices.
To ensure that concert goers get the message about the benefits of recycling and observe eco-friendliness while visiting Meadowbrook, the Green Team pulled together a series of Public Service Announcements that make an important point while being entertaining at the same time.
In the following clips, Allen Voivod of Epiphanies Inc. fame, plays our resident rocker while PSNH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director and I comprise the green jumpsuit stylin’ Granite Green Team. In the “Romance and Recycling” clip, Dan Freund of Kinney Hill (the video production team that did such a great job on this shoot) and Meadowbrook’s Kate Lilly play the couple who find love through recycling.
Special thanks to Emma Womack, Vice President of Corporate Development at Meadowbrook, for arranging the shoot and ensuring that these PSAs will run on the venue’s video wall throughout the 2010 season. Never thought that my buddies and I would be sharing the stage with Sugarland, Heart, Cheap Trick and the Zac Brown Band!!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
On Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11—on what normally would have been a quiet weekend—cars and trucks with ATV trailers packed parking lots along Route 110 in Berlin and filled municipal lots with access to the local ATV trail. The reason: the Can-Am Jericho ATV Festival, a first-time event at Jericho Mountain State Park that brought thousands of ATV enthusiasts to the North Country.
(Photo Credit: Lorna Colquhoun/NH Grand)
Roy Duddy, Interim Director of the NH Division of Economic Development, the agency that provided the seed money to develop the event through a federal grant administered locally by the North Country Council, says the event exceeded expectations.
“A crowd of more than 2,000 spectators and ATV and UTV riders and enthusiasts attended the two-day event—a huge turn-out for a new event,” he said. “We’re especially pleased because the Festival is part of a key economic development initiative funded by the State that’s designed to bolster and stabilize the economy of Coos County and establish it as an outdoor recreation center. The event introduced the newest State Park to a wide audience and showcased it as off-highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) hub for the region.”
Duddy praised the many agencies, organizations and individuals who made the event possible.
“In New Hampshire, we’re really good at bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to push economic development initiatives forward in new and creative ways,” he said. “Here we have a State Park and a festival that can serve as an economic engine for Berlin thanks to the efforts of the local ATV clubs, the Trails Bureau and State Parks staffs, local businesses, and Festival sponsors. We were able to make it a free event—no admission was charged—and to encourage out-of-state riders to come, since any ATV or trail bike that was used only at the event— that is, within Jericho Mountain State Park, the Cross-City Trail and the Success Trail—didn’t need a NH registration during the Festival.”
The biggest draw of the Festival was mud pit competition at what organizers believe is the biggest such manmade “mud bog” in New England. Local ATV clubs ran an obstacle course and poker run competitions, a “romp in the hay,” a fry pan toss, and guided trail rides on the Park’s scenic trails; while the Trails Bureau ran a scavenger hunt and was on hand with information about OHRV use. Riders were able to demo the latest Can-Am ATV models or talk with representatives from local clubs about riding in the area.
For Duddy, the true test of the event was how it impacted local businesses.
Pam Feldhouse, owner of the Cedar Pond Campground in Milan wrote event organizers, “We were full of festival people! We had a great weekend—they all were happy with the festival and everyone is looking forward to next year! We sent people to local establishments throughout the weekend for meals, shopping and essentials like ice and beverages. It certainly filled a weekend we wouldn’t have normally filled.”
Janice Thompson, an attendee from Massachusetts, wrote, “Just wanted to say thanks for a great time yesterday at the ATV Festival. We live in Massachusetts (have an ATV registered in NH) and got my cousins in Vermont to join us at the festival. The trails are beautiful, and despite a bit of rain, a good time was had by all. We spent about five hours there. Hope to see it get bigger and better next year. Congratulations on a job well done and thanks again!”
Duddy says plans are already being formed for next year’s event.
“I understand that the date for the 2011 festival will likely be announced next month,” he said. “There’s such a huge potential here. As we get more people vacationing and riding in Berlin, the outlook for the local economy should improve. I wouldn’t be surprised to see ATV enthusiasts purchasing second homes in the area. All around, it’s a win-win situation.”
Jericho Mountain State Park is open year round 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except during mud season: April (or loss of continuous snow cover) through May 23. A NH registration is required for all OHRVs except during the Festival. For more information on the Park and the Festival, visit www.JerichoATVFestival.com.
Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron is representing the state at this year’s conference. Serving NH citizens since 1997, Bergeron works directly with businesses considering relocating or expanding to New Hampshire. He provides a wide range of services, ranging from site analysis and selection to facilitating state financing and incentive packages. In the insurance industry alone, he has helped nine insurance companies redomesticate to New Hampshire in the last two years.
