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Attend the 7th Annual Small Business Day at the State House

Monday, January 30th, 2012

[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.

Seventh Annual Small Business Day Slated for 1/31

Monday, January 9th, 2012

Strategies for securing business financing, tips for how to do business with the state, a look at this year’s top policy issues from the state’s top legislators and more will be the focus of the Business and Industry Association’s 7th Annual Small Business Day at the State House event to be held Jan. 31 at the Holiday Inn, Concord from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The annual small business event, held in partnership with the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC), New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, and local and regional chambers of commerce, is meant to engage small business owners and managers in public policy discussion and debate, as well as provide them with practical and relevant information to help manage and grow their business. Small Business Day is sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, Bank of America and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review.

Small Business Day at the State House will begin with a panel discussion with some of the state’s top elected leaders: Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, Senate Democratic Leader Sylvia Larsen and House Minority Leader Terie Norelli (expected). The state leadership panel will focus specifically on top small business issues of 2012 and how state elected leaders will resolve them.

Two presentations will follow the legislative panel. First, New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Linda Hodgdon will explain the ins and outs of doing business with the state. Small business owners interested in supplying the state with everything it needs to function, from pencils and pens to computers and calculators, will learn how to engage in this process.

Next, New Hampshire Department of Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon will discuss the recently enacted NH Working programs and how they can help small businesses find the right job applicants. She will also provide an overview of the Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau (ELMI), the type of information available through ELMI and how small businesses might use it to their advantage.

Following a short break, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Chris Way will moderate a panel discussion called “Strategies for Financing Your Business.” Small business owners who feel like securing capital can sometimes be an uphill battle will hear from a panel of commercial lenders and representatives of alternative lending programs about financing options that may be open to them and help their business meet its growth objectives.

Gov. John Lynch has been invited to make closing remarks.

Participating chambers of commerce include the Exeter Area, Greater Peterborough, Hampton Area, Hanover Area, Lakes Region, Merrimack, Mount Washington Valley, Northern Gateway Regional, Plymouth Regional, Waterville Valley Region and Wolfeboro Area chambers of commerce.

The cost to attend Small Business Day at the State House is $15 per person and includes continental breakfast. To register, visit nhbia.org, Events or call 603-224-5388 x116.

“Teachers in Transition” Page Launched

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

A web page dedicated to helping teachers and other educational professionals facing layoffs has been launched on the state’s job training web site.

George Bald, Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, said the new page contains valuable information and referral links to assist teachers, paraprofessionals and others who are being laid off due to reduced local school budgets.

The web page, titled “Teachers in Transition” is at www.nhworks.org. It can also be found on the web site of NH Employment Security at http://www.nh.gov/nhes/.

“Many teachers and paraprofessionals are facing uncertain times and often do not know there are other opportunities outside the teaching profession that they may be qualified to pursue,” said Bald. “Teachers in Transition helps provide information on services they may want to access, including unemployment benefits, job match and job search services and links to help them consider other career fields, such as social services, technical fields, adult literacy, counseling, training and health care.

“We want teachers, paraprofessionals and others who may face layoffs due to local budget cuts that there are opportunities in other fields, and the Teachers in Transition web page helps with the immediate tasks of filing for unemployment benefits as well as finding new career paths,” said Tara Reardon, Commissioner of NH Employment Security.

The site also contains referral links to training programs in the state, and links to the public and private post-secondary institutions in New Hampshire, according to Jackie Heuser, Director of the Office of Workforce Opportunity.

The web page was developed by the Office of Workforce Opportunity and its workforce development partner agency, NH Employment Security.

“We still urge those facing employment challenges to visit their local NH Works Career Center,” said Heuser. There are 13 local NH Works Centers located throughout New Hampshire.

FairPoint Offers Additional Economic Scenario Model Training Sessions

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

FairPoint Communications will be hosting training sessions on the economic development modeling tool it sponsors to assist economic development and planning professionals in forecasting regional growth. 

fairpoint-logo1The model has been used and recommended by economic development professionals throughout the state, including the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy in studies commissioned by the Business and Industry Association. 

The Connect NNE Economic Scenario Model™ is a FairPoint-sponsored Microsoft Office Excel-based software tool created to provide information on existing economic conditions and estimate potential impacts of new development and job creation scenarios in New Hampshire and across northern New England.  The model allows users to estimate impact on jobs, earnings, output and gross domestic product (GDP) resulting from changing a region’s economic focus.  

The model was launched at a press conference held at the State of New Hampshire Legislative Office Building in Concord last November.  Joining FairPoint State President Teresa Rosenberger were Commissioners George Bald of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, Tara Reardon, NH Employment Security, George Copadis, Department of Labor and Liz Gray, Governor Lynch’s Special Assistant for Policy.  Training has been conducted in the following communities since the launch: Berlin, Concord, Conway, Keene, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua and Portsmouth. 

“We have heard from economic development leaders that they are looking for tools to help them understand influences on the local economies,” said Teresa Rosenberger, state president for FairPoint in New Hampshire.  “This software tool provides local communities with quantitative data to support economic development initiatives that will help the communities grow and prosper and, in turn, provide a benefit to all.” 

FairPoint is offering hands-on training sessions led by its economic development arm, Connect NNE, at three sites across New Hampshire.  

May 18th (9:00-11:30 am)
Pease Public Library Community Room, 1 Russell Street, Plymouth, N.H.

May 18th (2:30-5:00 pm)
Derry Municipal Building, 14 Manning Street, Derry, N.H.

May 19th (9:30 – 12 noon)
Dover Public Library Lecture Hall, 73 Locust Street, Dover, N.H.

Economic development professionals interested in attending one of these sessions are asked to contact Ellen Scarponi at EconomicDevelopmentNH@fairpoint.com.

FairPoint Communications Announces New Economic Development Tool

Monday, November 8th, 2010

FairPoint Communications today announced it is introducing a powerful economic development modeling tool to assist economic development and planning professionals in forecasting regional growth. The announcement was made today at a press conference held at the State of New Hampshire Legislative Office Building in Concord.  Joining FairPoint Communications State President Teresa Rosenberger were Commissioners George Bald of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, Tara Reardon, Department of Employment Security, George Copadis, Department of Labor and Liz Gray, Governor Lynch’s Special Assistant for Policy.

Fairpoint Communications State President Teresa Rosenberger

Fairpoint Communications State President Teresa Rosenberger

The Connect NNE Economic Scenario Model™ is a FairPoint-sponsored Microsoft Office Excel-based software tool created to provide information on existing economic conditions and estimate potential impacts of new development and job creation scenarios in New Hampshire and across northern New England.  The model allows users to estimate impact on jobs, earnings, output and gross domestic product (GDP) resulting from changing a region’s economic focus.

“In the past two years, we have heard from economic development leaders that they are looking for tools to help them understand influences on the local economies,” said Teresa Rosenberger, state president for FairPoint in New Hampshire.  “This software tool will provide local communities with quantitative data to support economic development initiatives that will help the communities grow and prosper and, in turn, provide a benefit to all.”

NH Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald

NH Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald

“This model will provide economic development professionals across the state with a much needed tool that will allow us to benchmark the region’s current economic status and forecast the impact of future economic and community development strategies,” said George Bald, commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development speaking on behalf of Commissioners Copadis and Reardon as well. “With New Hampshire-specific data, we can compare public infrastructure projects competing for limited available funds as well as calculate the economic impact of a capital investment proposal.”
 
The model was launched in Maine and has been used by  economic development professionals there to show the impact that a soon-to be-abandoned rail spur in Aroostook County would have on jobs and gross domestic product, gaining the attention of Maine’s legislature and providing data to support a bond initiative.  Supporters of a charter school in northern Maine used the model to calculate the economic benefit to the area in earnings and jobs, adding quantitative data to the discussion that resulted in the school staying open at its existing location.  Output from the model has also been part of discussions on the impact of various plant closures, helping benchmark equivalent job replacement strategies.  Annual updates ensure that the model is using the most up-to-date data and that its functionality continues to be improved.

FairPoint is offering hands-on training sessions led by its economic development arm, Connect NNE, at six sites across New Hampshire.

November 8th (2:30-5:00 pm)
Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, 151 Main Street, Nashua, N.H.

November 9th (9:00-11:30 am)
Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Avenue, Concord, N.H.

November 9th (2:00-4:30 pm)
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, 54 Hanover Street, Manchester, N.H.

November 10th (2:30-5:00 pm)
Granite State College, 53 Technology Lane, Suite 150, Conway, N.H.

November 12th (9:00-11:30 am)
Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, N.H.

December 7th (9:00 – 11:30 am)
Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown Keene, 74 Railroad Street, Keene, N.H.

Economic development professionals interested in attending one of these sessions are asked to contact jill.wurm@fairpoint.com.

New Hampshire & Microsoft Make an Investment in Technology Training

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Governor John Lynch has announced that New Hampshire has joined forces with Microsoft in an innovative public-private partnership to provide free technology training to unemployed residents across the state.

Through Elevate America, Microsoft will work with the Office of Workforce Opportunity, Department of Resources and Economic Development, New Hampshire Employment Security and NH Works Career Centers to distribute 5,625 vouchers for free, online technology training and certification.

(L. to R.) NH Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon congratulates Penny Letourneau of Concord, the first recipient of an Elevate America technology training voucher as NH Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald and Microsoft General Manager for State and Local Government John Bunn look on.

(L. to R.) NH Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon congratulates Penny Letourneau of Concord, the first recipient of an Elevate America technology training voucher as NH Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald and Microsoft General Manager for State and Local Government John Bunn look on.

“Providing training for our workers is one of the best investments we can make in our economy. Through my New Hampshire Working initiative and the Job Training Fund, we have made helping workers get the skills they need to get good jobs a priority,” Gov. Lynch said. “The Elevate America initiative is helping our continuing efforts to get workers the skills and certifications they need so we can help them get back to work.”

The first vouchers were recently distributed at the NH Works Center in Concord by George Bald, Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, and Commissioner Tara Reardon of NH Employment Security. Joining Commissioners Bald and Reardon was John Bunn, Microsoft’s General Manager for State and Local Government.

The free vouchers are available to unemployed residents only until July 1, when vouchers will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. Vouchers must be activated by users by August 19, 2010.

Vouchers include 2,500 for Microsoft Business Certification Training; 2,500 vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification examinations, and 625 vouchers for advanced Microsoft IT Professional online learning.

“Elevate America helps people to get the critical technology skills they need to get a job in today’s competitive workplace,” said Microsoft’s Bunn. “We believe that this type of public-private partnership will play an important role in rebuilding New Hampshire’s and the nation’s economy by offering immediate access to basic technology literacy and skills training to ultimately improve recipients’ employment prospects.”

“Job seekers can use these online courses from their computers at home, and access the training for up to a year once activated,” said Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon. “Offering access to computer skills training will greatly improve recipients’ employment prospects.”

“Employers at our recent Governors Job Cabinet Roundtable discussions expressed the hope that today’s job applicants be trained in new technology skills, and this opportunity comes at an appropriate time, as employers begin to hire again,” said DRED Commissioner George Bald. “The Elevate America program will help New Hampshire companies remain competitive in today’s marketplace.”

Microsoft Elevate America vouchers can be obtained at the 13 local NH Works Centers throughout the state.

Vouchers can be used for the following training and certifications:
Computer Basics for Beginners – Access basic computer concepts and skills. Perfect for those new to computers. No voucher is required for the beginner courses.

Programs requiring vouchers:
Intermediate Level, Business Worker Online Learning – Select from: Microsoft Windows Vista, Office 2003 or Office 2007 online training. Voucher must be activated by July 26, 2010. E-Learning is accessible for 12 months from activation date.

Advanced Level IT Professional Online Learning – Select a training from Microsoft’s online learning library for IT Professionals and Developers. The cost of certification exams at this level is not covered by this program. Voucher must be activated by August 19, 2010.

Intermediate Level Certification Exams – Certification exams must be taken at a Certiport Testing Location. Select from Office 2003 or Office 2007 exams. Voucher must be activated by August 19, 2010. Certification exams must also be completed by August 19, 2010.

New Hampshire Certiport Examinations Centers are located at:
Blended Solutions Technical Institute
1000 Elm Street, Manchester N H 03101
603-622-4922
Contact: Cindy Kuehl (ckuehl@bstinh.com)

New Horizons of Northern New England
460 Amherst St., Nashua 03060
603-882-4900
Contact: Todd Duhamel (toddd@nhnashua.com)

ATI Institute of Rochester
35 Industrial Way, Suite 150, Rochester 03867
603-330-3533
Contact: Christina Dame (christina@smartati.com)

Manchester Community Resource Center
177 Lake Ave., Manchester 03103
603-647-8967
Contact: Fawn Francis (info@ontracktraining.org)

New Hampshire’s participation in Microsoft’s Elevate America program makes it the 22ndstate to take part in the initiative, which is expected to provide up to one million vouchers nationwide. The program is a part of Microsoft’s overall efforts to provide technology training for up to two million people during the next three years.

Microsoft announced the “Elevate America” program at the National Governor’s Conference in February 2009. The initiative is expected to provide up to 1 million vouchers nationwide for Microsoft e-Learning courses and select Microsoft certification exams at no or low cost to recipients. The program, part of Microsoft’s overall Unlimited Potential efforts to improve social and economic opportunities for people, will provide technology training for up to two million people during the next three years.

For additional information regarding Elevate America visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/us/communityinvestment/elevateamerica.aspx

NH Working Signed Into Law

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Gov. John Lynch has signed into law his new, innovative jobs initiative aimed at helping workers and companies recover from the recession.

Governor John Lynch

Governor John Lynch

New Hampshire Working is a three-part initiative introduced by Gov. Lynch. It is designed to help companies and workers avoid layoffs, help unemployed workers return to work and provide training to help workers get new jobs.

“Our number one focus must continue to be helping companies and workers recover from this recession,” Gov. Lynch said. “We cannot and we will not rest until everyone who wants a job can get a job. With this legislation, we are providing businesses and citizens with new help to get back to work and to recover from the recession.”

New Hampshire Working leverages existing resources to help businesses and workers recover from the recession. The legislation implementing parts of the program received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate.

“I have met a number of people who have been out of work for several months, and in some cases a year or more. They want the opportunity to work again, to show employers they have the skills and talents needed in today’s workforce, but they just need someone to give them a chance,” Gov. Lynch said. “With New Hampshire Working, we are giving them that chance. At the same, with this legislation, we will be able to help businesses retain the workers they need to recover from the recession and ensure that our workers and companies have the skills they need to compete in the future.”

 “The focus of New Hampshire Employment Security is putting New Hampshire’s citizens back to work. New Hampshire Working provides us with creative new ways to help our workforce stay at work, return to work and be ready for work,” said Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon. “We applaud our Governor and the Legislature’s hard work in support of  these efforts to help both business and employees in this challenging times.”

The new law, Senate Bill 501, immediately implements two parts of New Hampshire Working; the final piece is already up and running.

Under the first part of New Hampshire Working, the state will be able to partner with businesses and workers to provide an alternative to layoffs. Companies and workers would agree to reduced hours instead of layoffs, and the state will make up part of the lost wages for workers through unemployment benefits.

Workers will keep their jobs, their health insurance and most of their income. Companies will be able to retain the skilled workers they need to recover, and taxpayers will avoid increased costs as the demand for state services increases as unemployment rises. This part of New Hampshire Working is modeled after successful job-share programs in other states.

Under the second part of New Hampshire Working, New Hampshire job agencies will develop a plan for assessing the job skills of all newly unemployed workers. Workers can take the results of those assessments to potential employers, giving business owners confidence that new hires will have the necessary skills.

The new law also doubles the state’s Job Training Fund to $2 million a year in 2011 and allows Employment Security to use those funds to train unemployed workers.

“New Hampshire Working is a way we can help companies and workers through these tough times,” Gov. Lynch said. “The funding required for these programs is money we are already spending – but with New Hampshire Working we’re spending it better, in a way that will help companies and workers, and reduce costs for taxpayers.”

The final part of New Hampshire Working did not require legislation and is already up and running. This part of the initiative reduces upfront training costs for companies – often an impediment to hiring – and is providing on-the-job training to help workers get new jobs. Unemployed workers are able to continue to receive unemployment benefits while participating in up to six weeks of training at a potential new employer. A company has until the end of that period to decide if a worker has the skills the business needs.

Senate Bill 501 was sponsored by Sens. Maggie Hassan, Matt Houde, Amanda Merrill, Betsi DeVries, Jackie Cilley, Bette Lasky, Molly Kelly, Sylvia Larsen, Martha Fuller Clark, Kathy Sgambati, Deb Reynolds, Harold Janeway, Lou D’Allesandro, Peggy Gilmour, Bob Odell; and Reps. Mary Jane Wallner, Sally Kelly, Dan Eaton, Ed Butler and Will Infantine.

Gov. Lynch Announces Workers, Businesses Will Be Able to Enroll in First Part of NH Working on Monday

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Gov. John Lynch today announced that starting Monday workers and businesses will able to enroll in the first part of New Hampshire Working, the Governor’s jobs initiative.

Gov. Lynch, joined by lawmakers and Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon, announced the launch of the enrollment process that will allow workers to participate in up to six weeks of on-the-job training from a potential employer while continuing to collect unemployment benefits. This launch represents one part of the Governor’s three-part jobs initiative.

workingsessions“This initiative will reduce the upfront costs companies bear in training new workers – making it easier for them to hire. And it will allow workers to get their foot in the door at company looking to hire, giving them the opportunity to show their skills,” Gov. Lynch said.

New Hampshire Working leverages existing resources to help businesses and workers recover from the recession.

“The funding required for these programs is money we are already spending – but with New Hampshire Working we’re spending it better, in a way that is helping companies and workers, and reducing costs for taxpayers,” Gov. Lynch said.

New Hampshire Working, is a three-part approach to help businesses in this economic downturn and help New Hampshire citizens stay at work if they already have jobs, return to work if they are unemployed and ensure that they are ready to work at new jobs.

Senate Bill 501, which is making its way through the legislative process, is required to implement the two other parts of New Hampshire.

Under the other parts of New Hampshire Working, the state will partner with businesses and workers to provide an alternative to layoffs. Companies and workers would agree to reduced hours instead of layoffs, and the state would make up part of the lost wages for workers through unemployment benefits.

Workers would keep their jobs, their health insurance and most of their income. Companies would retain the skilled workers they need to recover. Taxpayers would avoid increased costs as the demand for state services increases as unemployment rises. And, with more people working, New Hampshire’s economy would be stronger.

Under the third part of New Hampshire working, New Hampshire job agencies will develop a plan for assessing the job skills of all newly unemployed workers. Workers will be able to take the results of those assessments to potential employers, giving business owners confidence that new hires will have the necessary skills.

Gov. Lynch has also proposed doubling the state’s job training fund to $2 million a year in 2011 and to allowing Employment Security to use to train unemployed workers.

“I have met a number of our people who everyday are looking for work. We must continue to do everything that we can to help them. That’s the goal of New Hampshire Working. We cannot and will not rest until everyone in New Hampshire who wants a job, can get a job,” Gov. Lynch said.