As summer winds down, New Hampshire tourism officials say they expect a robust fall travel season, with more than 3 million out-of-state, overnight visitors projected, who will spend more than $1.5 billion.
During an event this week at Hazelton Orchards in Chester, the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development unveiled its fall marketing campaign, which highlights activities such as hiking, leaf peeping, agritourism, dining and shopping.
“New Hampshire is the premier travel destination in the northeast all year round, but the vibrant colors of our tremendous foliage truly sets us apart during the fall travel season, drawing millions of people to all corners of the Granite State,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “The fall travel season is an incredible economic driver for our state and we are constantly working to maximize and expand visitation for the benefit of our partners and the people of New Hampshire.”
Gov. Chris Sununu, joined by Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell, left, and Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food Commissioner Shawn Jasper, kicked off what is expected to be a busy fall tourism season by picking the ceremonial first apple of autumn at Hazelton Orchards in Chester.
Representing about 25 percent total annual visitation, fall is New Hampshire’s second-largest travel season, behind summer.
Foliage, scenic drives
and pick-your-own options dominate the fall season but historically fall is
also popular for visiting attractions, college homecomings, fairs and
festivals, shopping, and visiting friends and relatives. In addition, fall
tends to draw the largest percentage of visitors from outside New England.
Visitors to New Hampshire this fall can experience fall activities and events including:
Stay connected with New
Hampshire tourism on Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
Pinterest
and
YouTube, and be sure to follow the #livefreeNH tag to see
what other people are saying about fall in New Hampshire.
Our monthly radio show, New Hampshire Business Matters, covered an upcoming event next month that puts rural New Hampshire in the spotlight for opportunities and possibilities rural America offers.
Tune in at 2:05 pm to WTPL-FM 107.7 on the third Wednesday of the month for New Hampshire Business Matters.
Radically Rural is getting noticed; last week it was featured in this article posted at Forbes.com.
Mary Ann Kristiansen and Lorna Colquhoun
The second annual Radically Rural summit launches Sept. 19-20, which is speared-headed by Mary Ann Kristiansen, executive director of the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene and Terry Williams, president of The Keene Sentinel. She founded the event two years ago to gather leaders and others interested in rural economic development to talk about, and find solutions fore, the challenges these communities face, not just in New Hampshire, but in small communities far from urban areas around the country.
Tune in to this month’s program to hear more about this event and how you can become involved.
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Communities and organizations across six rural New Hampshire counties will share $3.7 million in federal funds awarded this by the Northern Border Regional Commission.
Created by the US Congress in 2008, the NBRC is a
federal-state partnership working to alleviate economic challenges in northern
counties across New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. In New Hampshire,
projects are eligible for the Economic and Infrastructure Development
Investment program in all, or portions of, Belknap; Carroll; Cheshire; Coos;
Grafton, and Sullivan Counties.
The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic
Affairs administers the program in New Hampshire and works with eligible
communities and organizations throughout the year.
“For the communities in which they are located, these
projects have a significant role in enhancing the local economy,” said BEA
Commissioner Taylor Caswell. “These grants really make a difference for
residents want to build a place where people want to live and work.”
The following projects received awards:
Town of Lincoln; $500,000 to improve fireflow by making modifications to an existing booster pump station at Crooked Mountain and a new 234,000-gallon storage tank at Indian Mountain;
Twin
State MakerSpaces, Inc., Claremont; $164,800 for installation of rooftop
solar power generation, with savings energy operating costs to be invested for
education and workforce development programming in the community;
Town of
Swanzey; $500,000 to reconstruct and improve a road, sidewalk and drainage
in West Swanzey village;
Meriden
Village Water District, Plainfield; $376,000 to install a rapid
infiltration basin system at the wastewater treatment facility, upgrading
surface water discharge to groundwater discharge;
Colebrook
Community Child Care; $158,642 to renovate an existing childcare facility;
provide teacher training and create new programs;
Community
College System of New Hampshire; $199,842 to create a test facility for
welders and computer and technical skills training for advanced manufacturers
and other businesses;
Belknap
Mill Society, Laconia; $250,000 for interior renovation and restoration of
the Belknap Mill to expand education programming;
Town of
Newport; $354,183 to replace the water intake pipe system at Gilman Pond,
Newport’s primary water supply;
Lakes
Region Community College, Laconia; $189,825 to create two teaching
laboratories and a dining room facility, increasing training opportunities for
students interested in hospitality and tourism industries;
Nansen
Ski Club, Berlin; $250,000 to redevelop the historic Nansen Ski Jump as a
site for US Nordic-sanctioned competitions and the development of a North
Country youth jumping program;
Turning
Points Network, Claremont; $250,000 to renovate a structure to serve as the
main office for Turning Points Network, enabling it to expand capacity to
deliver its economic independence program;
Town of
Groton; $250,000 to repair one mile of class V, town-maintained road, from
Sculptured Rocks Road to Sculptured Rocks State Park;
Town of
Carroll; $250,000 to improve safety at the intersection of School Street
and US Route 302, for future construction of public safety and municipal
buildings;
Southwest
Region Planning Commission; $75,000 for the planning and technical
assistance to municipalities, businesses, and other stakeholders adopting
policies and implementing strategies addressing economic development
challenges, and improving communities’ capacity to attract and retain
businesses, jobs and a skilled workforce.
For the fourth year in a row, New Hampshire retained the top spot for its business friendliness, according to CNBC’s latest Top States rankings, and landed in the top 10 for its workforce and quality of life.
CNBC has compiled rankings of all 50 states for the past 12 years. This year, New Hampshire ranked 25th overall, the second highest in New England, and showed gains in several categories. The state rose to No. 8 for its workforce, an 11-place jump from no. 19 in 2018.
“Workers in the Granite State are well educated,” according to CNBC. “The percentage of adults with bachelors’ degrees or higher is the 10th best of any state. And those educated adults are staying put. New Hampshire is also in the top 10 for the percentage of workers in STEM jobs.”
The state retained no. 5 for the second year in a row as the best state to live in, based on data that includes crime rates, environmental quality and inclusiveness.
“New Hampshire has a modern economy with significant growth in advanced and emerging industries that is supported by a defined and highly aligned pipeline of talent,” said Commissioner Taylor Caswell of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “We also offer unbeatable outdoor lifestyle assets, and with no income or sales tax, people are learning that if they move here, they get to keep more of their paycheck.”
“With its famous motto, “Live Free or Die,” it stands to reason that the Granite State is among America’s most inclusive,” according to CNBC. “Freedom also includes security. New Hampshire enjoys the third lowest violent crime rate in the nation. The state also boasts the nation’s lowest child poverty rate.”
For more information about living in New Hampshire, visit ChooseNH.com; if you are thinking of moving or expanding your business here, visit nheconomy.com.
The ribbon cutting for the New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades marks the second location for the school, to meet the demand for skilled tradesmen.
With construction completed on its second training facility, the New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades in Hampton celebrated last week with a ribbon cutting attended by over 60 people.
The opening of the state-of-the-art, $1.6 million building will meet a critical need in the state because of the demand for mechanical tradesmen. After seeing enrollment nearly double in a few short years at the school’s Manchester location, founders Dean Millard and John Huff saw a need to meet the demand from Seacoast businesses sending their employees across the state for training there.
“We need your skills, we need your talent,” said Gov. Chris Sununu. “What you’re creating here is the workforce of the future – not for next year, but for 10 – 20 – 50 years down the road. We need to be investing in the infrastructure to keep our economy strong, to keep the services out there and to keep the jobs and careers out there available for the coming decades.”
The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades offers
programs in the areas of oil and gas; heating; plumbing; electric, and HVAC and
features working labs that offer students hands-on experience. It works with
students to make the training affordable and works with companies to place
graduates in the trades profession.
For more information about the school and its programs,
visit www.NHTradeSchool.com, or call
603-622-6544.
Every five years, the US Department of Agriculture conducts a national census, providing for states, including New Hampshire, a snapshot of agriculture in the state, trends on the rise, the health of farms and farming activities.
The most recent census covers from 2012 to 2017 and the final report was issued in April.
Tune in herefor this month’s edition of New Hampshire Business Matters.
This month’s guest on New Hampshire Business Matters is Gail McWilliam Jellie, of the state’s Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, talking about some of the findings in this year’s census report.
New Hampshire Business Matters airs monthly on WTPL-FM 107.7
Some highlights:
Average farm size is slightly smaller than 2021
Farm-related income is up 29 percent
The number of women operating farms has increased about 20 percent from 2012.
Tune in for an interesting discussion about the state of agriculture and how it contributes to the New Hampshire economy.
With momentum building following successful fall and winter travel seasons, the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs expects significant growth for the summer 2019 travel season, projecting more than 3.6 million overnight visitors will spend about $1.9 billion – a 2.7 percent increase in visitation and spending over last year.
BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell, joined by representatives from BEA’s Division of Travel & Tourism Development and a local tourism partners, kicked off the summer travel season today in Littleton, unveiling its summer travel forecast and marketing campaign.
“As our state’s second-largest revenue generator, tourism is absolutely vital to our economy here in New Hampshire,” said Caswell. “Summer is our busiest travel season, representing more than 40 percent of our total annual visitation, and this year we’re anticipating substantial growth. We pride ourselves on our variety within proximity, which is never more evident than in summer, when visitors can experience an incredible range of experiences in one trip – or even just one day.”
The state’s summer marketing campaign continues to build on the Live Free brand, while positioning New Hampshire as the northeast’s premier travel destination.
BEA will focus its summer campaign on the New England market, including Hartford, Conn., Portland, Maine, and Providence, R.I., along with the major metropolitan markets of Boston, New York, Montréal and Toronto.
In addition to New Hampshire’s strategic marketing and advertising initiatives, lower gas prices and high consumer confidence as strong indicators supporting a successful summer season.
Granite Forge LLC, a contract manufacturer of medical devices, is opening its first operation in Hudson, where it plans to hire 25 employees.
Michael Bergeron, business development manager with the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, assisted in Granite Forge in choosing New Hampshire as its location.
Granite Forge, which forges and machines implants for total joint replacement (hips, knees, shoulders), trauma surgery, and extremities such as wrists and ankles, will be a supplier to major orthopedic implant companies in domestic and international markets.
“We have invested significantly in the latest technology in order to provide the highest quality products and service to our customers,” said Chief Commercial Officer Pat O’Neill.
“We decided to locate in New Hampshire, near the Massachusetts border, because of the available talent in both states, the proximity to critical suppliers and contractors, and the financial freedom that low tax New Hampshire offers,” said Mel Speidel, chief operating officer and general manager for the Hudson facility.
The new facility is, said President/CEO Greg Davis, a state of the art, 24,000-square-foot plant equipped with the latest machining, finishing and inspection equipment.
“We are looking for experienced CNC machinists, metal finishers, quality inspectors, and press operators,” Davis said. “We are also hoping to partner with local educators to help train and develop the next generation.”
Gary Stavrum, a partner and investor in Granite Forge, sees growing global demand for high quality forged orthopedic implants, and recognizes a need for additional contract manufacturers to support the growth of this market.
The New Hampshire team at BIO International, from left: Jennifer Briggs Braswell, ARMI|BioFabUSA; Michael Bergeron, BEA; Cindy Conde, NH Tech Alliance; Jared Matthews, ARMI|BioFabUSA; Colleen Cowette, ARMI|BioFabUSA ; Cynthia Harrington, BEA
One of the largest trade shows for the biotech industry is happening this week in Philadelphia, where more than 16,000 people from around the world are expected to attend BIO 2019, the BIO International Convention.
They are telling New Hampshire’s story and how it fits into the global biotech ecosystem, such as our 300+ companies here involved in life sciences and medical device manufacturing; our proximity to Boston; our business-friendly climate, and outstanding quality of life.
Who is coming by the booth? A representative of a Canadian company seeking to expand his business in the US; a French businessman wanting to know more information about visiting the state, and many, in part of the ebb and flow of trade show traffic, who stop by to reminisce about weekends, summers, holidays and vacations spent in the Granite State.
Visit us at Booth 328.
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Last week’s NH Works partner conference, sponsored by the State Workforce Innovation Board, drew over 150 professionals from across the state for a daylong event at Manchester Community College featuring the theme Partnering for Recovery.
