2018 BOB Award Winners

NH Business Review Staff,

New Hampshire Business Review is delighted to share the results of our tenth annual BOB Awards, which honor the Best of Business in New Hampshire for 2018. The mission of the BOB Awards is to find the Granite State’s most stand-out businesses: the ones that offer the best customer service, that pay attention to details, that are willing to go above and beyond to ensure an exceptional customer experience. In other words, BOB-winning businesses offer nothing less than outstanding products and services. Since BOB voters are other businesspeople, being named a BOB business really says something about the high caliber of the winners. But the BOB Awards truly celebrate all businesses in New Hampshire; a place that nurtures the Best of Business every day.

Congratulations to all of the 2018 winners!
Best Marketing Agency: ​wedü
20 Market Street, Manchester
603-647-9338
www.wedu.com

More than a digital marketing agency, wedü uses customer intelligence to craft a creative strategy with impactful results. wedü works with clients’ marketing and management teams to develop the look and feel of the user experience, whether it’s an in-season national advertising campaign or an investment in a website to deliver value over several years. As user experience professionals, wedü utilizes technology, human sciences and art to bring concepts to life.

Best Digital Marketing Agency: SilverTech
196 Bridge Street, Manchester
603-669-6600
www.silvertech.com

From award-winning digital marketing to website design and custom application development, SilverTech identifies opportunities to maximize revenue, performance, profit and results. Its full range of digital lifecycle services — including business intelligence and analytics, CMS and systems integration, content and social strategy, managed hosting, marketing automation, responsive design, SEO and more — deliver user experiences and digital marketing strategies that drive customers from lead to loyalty.

Best Public Relations Agency: ​Calypso Communications
20 Ladd Street, Suite 200, Portsmouth
603-431-0816
www.calypsocom.com

Calypso is a boutique agency providing creative and strategic writing, PR and design to organizations facing business challenges, large or small. Calypso excels at crafting clear messages from complex issues and industries with leadership experienced in energy, private equity, technology, health care and the hospitality sectors.

2018 Editor’s Picks

Best Veteran-owned Distillery: Smoky Quartz Distillery
894 Lafayette Road, Seabrook
603-474-4229
www.smokyquartzdistillery.com

While serving a second tour in Iraq as an intelligence specialist with the NH Air National Guard, Kevin Kurland, a 50-year-old mechanical engineering graduate from the University of New Hampshire, read an article in The Wall Street Journal about the emerging boom in craft liquors. By May 2014, he and four other veterans in his family had opened Smoky Quartz Distillery in Seabrook. The name of the popular V5 Bourbon — which accounts for 50 percent of company sales — is a tribute to the veteran teamwork ethos that Kurland said is the fundamental strength and a point of pride for his business.

Most Auspicious Public-Private Investment Fund:  Millworks Fund II
848 Elm Street, Unit #200, Manchester
www.millworksfund.com

A $1.8 million public-private partnership fund consisting of 40 individual investors and the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, Millworks Fund II is providing extra capital for startups in New Hampshire. Millworks II has committed to provide $600,000 per year for three years to New Hampshire startup companies through the New Hampshire High Technology Council’s annual TechOut competition and through Alpha Loft’s Accelerate NH program. Investments have been made to biotech company Kantum Diagnostics Inc., software company Datanomix, builder and workflow software company addapptation, construction customer relationship management tool Thunderbolt Pipeline and Pulse, a community-based survey platform.

Most Creative Problem-solver: DALI Lab
9 Maynard Street, Hanover
www.dali.dartmouth.edu

Powered by 50 students who are selected through a competitive application process, DALI — an acronym for Digital Arts, Leadership and Innovation — provides an extracurricular experience for students to learn coding and design through applying it to approximately 10 projects each term. Projects can be introduced by faculty members, students or businesses that contract with the lab. DALI has developed a wide range of technology solutions, from a tool to illustrate a professor’s research on how proteins work together to a 360-degree virtual reality system for NASA’s National Space Biomedical Research Institute to provide a psychological escape for individuals in long-duration space flight or working in the Arctic.

Best Program to Inspire NH’s Next Generation: Project Lead The Way
www.pltw.org

A national education nonprofit, Project Lead The Way provides curriculum pathways to expose students of all ages to engineering fundamentals, analysis, technical writing, coding, electrical circuitry and computer-aided design. It also builds skills across the board that employers desire, such as collaboration and critical thinking. Launched in New Hampshire in 1998, one year after its founding, Project Lead The Way’s programs have spread to approximately 47 schools in New Hampshire in the form of elementary, middle school or high school curricula.

Best Potential to Create a New Industry: Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI)/BioFabUSA
400 Commercial Street, Manchester
603-666-3905
www.armiusa.org

Supported by an $80 million Department of Defense grant and $200 million investment from research universities, organizations and private companies, the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute’s BioFabUSA program aims to advance the bioengineering industry, with the goal of supplying severely injured soldiers with replacement organs, skin tissue and even blood. By working closely with UNH Manchester to develop a greater bioengineering workforce, ARMI has the potential to redefine the industry culture of Manchester and make New Hampshire a destination for 21st century innovation.

Most Invaluable Entrepreneurial Resource: New Hampshire Small Business Development Center
UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business & Economics, 10 Garrison Ave., Durham
www.nhsbdc.org

Through regional offices and satellite locations, the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center has offered free, confidential, business management advising and educational programs to more than 94,000 New Hampshire entrepreneurs, helping them to start over 2,000 businesses and create more than 7,000 jobs since 1984. Clients from all sectors seek the SBDC’s advice on financing, improving operations, business sustainability best practices, bringing new products to market and where to start in launching a new business or purchasing an existing one.

Best On-the-Go STEM Experience: MakeIt Labs
25 Crown Street, Nashua
978-226-3266
www.makeitlabs.com

Founded as a 501(c)(3) organization in Nashua, MakeIt Labs not only provides tools and a maker community but also has a bunch of motivated volunteers who travel to classrooms around Southern New Hampshire to get kids interested in STEM. If a school doesn’t have a 3-D printer, MakeIt Labs will provide them for the activity. Kids also light up when they see fellow member Tom Doucet’s self-made, life-size R2-D2, the “Star Wars” robot.

Most Ambitious Effort to Reinvigorate Investigative Journalism: InDepthNH
www.indepthnh.org

Founded in 2015 by longtime NH Union Leader reporter Nancy West, InDepthNH.org has slowly gained a foothold with its reporting and dexterity to survive in a challenging economic environment. The InDepthNH.org news site is published by the NH Center for Public Interest Journalism. Its mission is to enhance independent journalism, hold government accountable and stir public debate on a wide range of issues. It was, however, a startling investigative story late in 2015 by West that helped elevate InDepthNH.org’s stature. Due to program restrictions at the NH State Hospital, the public and many New Hampshire lawmakers were stunned to learn the state was housing more than a dozen male and female non-criminal mental patients at the State Prison psychiatric unit for the criminally insane.

An Idea We Can All Get a Charge Out of: Volkswagen Settlement Funds
www.des.nh.gov

New Hampshire is expected to follow suit with other New England states in designating the full 15 percent of settlement funds for electric vehicle infrastructure.

This rare investment opportunity could help businesses build EV infrastructure for their employees and in return allow energy from charging cars to be repurposed for other energy needs, redefining the way we think of and access energy.

Most Promising Downtown Development: City of Franklin
www.franklinnh.org

With 45 affordable housing units available in the newly renovated, former Franklin Light and Power Mill and improved branding of Mill City Park, a whitewater rafting park, the City of Franklin is undergoing a transformation. At the helm are Todd Workman and Marty Parichand – two individuals who have spent much of their personal time, financial investment and good ol’ Yankee spirit to revitalize Franklin, attracting tourists and millennials. PermaCityLife, a nonprofit founded by Workman with a relationship to Colby Sawyer College, assists with furthering along Franklin’s potential.

Most Inspirational Bakery: Polish Princess
73 Main Street, Lancaster
603-788-8222
www.polishprincessbakery.com

Magdalena Randall came to the United States from Poland in 2003, dreaming of having a business of her own. While raising her young children, she’d sell European-style bread at a farmer’s market, and got the attention of Greg Cloutier, a businessman who offered to rebuild a burned-out store on Main Street in Lancaster if she wanted to rent it and open a bakery. By working with an expert baker to help with equipment selection and forming a financial plan with the Small Business Development Center, Randall opened the Polish Princess in 2015, fulfilling her dream.

Most Enterprising Community Initiative: NH Community Loan Fund/Business of Child Care Initiative
7 Wall Street, Concord
603-224-6669
www.communityloanfund.org

Early care and education programs tuition rarely covers the cost of high-quality programming. Since 2014, the NH Community Loan Fund’s Business of Child Care has provided technical assistance and hands-on training to early education and child care providers in targeted regions of New Hampshire. For many child care organizations, this programming provides the only opportunity for them to review best-practice guidelines for business operations and governance. The Business of Child Care Initiative was launched with funding from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, with continued efforts supported by NHCF, the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation, Couch Family Foundation and the Byrne Foundation.

Best Supporter of NH’s Future: Milford School District
100 West Street, Milford
603-673-2202
www.milfordk12.org

The Milford School District takes STEAM seriously. Collaborative efforts amongst middle school and high school teachers to combine projects in subjects such as art and engineering and Milford’s much acclaimed STEAM Nights demonstrate educators’ commitment to inspire students and develop forward-looking curriculum. Led by engineering teacher Frank Xydias, STEAM Nights introduce students to science, technology, engineering, art and math through workshops led by New Hampshire businesses, helping bridge the gap between industry and educators – and showing students the career opportunities here in New Hampshire.

Most Ambitious Development: Tuscan Village
www.prellwitzchilinski.com/projects/tuscan-village-2/

After starting a hugely successful authentic Italian cuisine company, Joe Faro is now having a hand in what will be one of the biggest real estate developments New Hampshire has ever seen. For the last few years, he’s been working to redevelop the former Rockingham Park property in Salem into what will be the 170-acre mixed-use Tuscan Village. Some of the highlights include a roughly 200-room hotel, dozens of storefronts and standalone retail spaces, a small lake that can be used for recreational activities and walking paths throughout the property.

Best Video Production Company: New Sky Productions
25 Front Street, Nashua
603-816-9500
www.newskyproductions.com

With additional offices in Portland, Ore. and Seattle, Wash., New Sky Productions utilizes outstanding cinematographers and editors and state-of-the-art equipment to deliver compelling storytelling pieces that connect businesses more directly with their client base, increasing both sales and consumer engagement.

Best Managed IT Service: Technology Seed
264A North Broadway, Suite 201, Salem
603-458-7190
www.tseed.com

Technology Seed was founded 18 years ago on a mission to prevent IT problems and improve efficiency for small businesses. With Technology Seed, clients reduce the cost of IT while increasing businesses productivity. And its Certified Ethical Hackers on staff are well-versed in IT security, HIPAA compliance and PCI compliance. Technology Seed also provides cloud strategy and migration and offsite server back-up for customers throughout the Northeast, the mid-Atlantic and worldwide.

Best Accounting Firm: Howe, Riley & Howe, CPA
660 Chestnut Street, Manchester
603-627-3838
www.hrhcpa.com

For more than 50 years, Howe Riley & Howe has offered tax, audit and litigation support and accounting consulting services through the use of the most up-to-date technologies. Whether a for-profit company or a charitable organization, Howe Riley & Howe has experienced staff to assist with your accounting needs.

Best Architectural Firm: ​DeStefano Architects
23 High Street, Portsmouth
603-431-8701
www.destefanoarchitects.com

Founded in 1995, D|A is a full service architectural firm with clients in both the private and public sectors and projects varying from one-of-a-kind custom residences to large-scale, multi-use developments. D|A designs buildings as a single integrated system — a key strategy in sustainable design. The collaboration of architect and owner with engineers and contractors results in a building that ages well and is energy efficient, healthy, safe, affordable and comfortable.

Best Engineering Firm: ​TFMoran Inc.
48 Constitution Drive, Bedford
603-472-4488
www.tfmoran.com

TFMoran Inc. is a regionally recognized land planning, civil engineering and landscape architectural firm that has provided continuous service to private and public clients since 1968. Committed to responsible, sustainable development, TFMoran is a leader in green technology and claims many of the region’s “firsts,” including the first commercial use of porous pavement, the first green roof, the first commercial use of bio-retention, the first commercial use of grass-pavers and xeriscape plantings, among many others.

Best General Contractor: Harvey Construction
10 Harvey Road, Bedford
603-624-4600
www.hccnh.com

Harvey Construction has built a solid reputation based upon trust, technical competence and the determination to serve clients with ingenuity and speed. Its expertise in the construction of sophisticated facilities includes educational facilities, hospitals, government buildings, office buildings and other structures.

Best Electrical Contractor: ​Longchamps Electric Inc.
700 Harvey Road, Manchester
603-625-5954
www.longchampselectric.com

Longchamps Electric Inc., now one of the largest electrical and communications systems contractors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, was founded more than 30 years ago by master electrician Robert O. Longchamps. Longchamps is a full-service electrical contractor capable of handling projects of all sizes and scope. The firm also provides design-build services as well as project fast-tracking, on-call services, telecommunications and back-up generator installation.

Best Mechanical Contractor: Granite State Plumbing & Heating
10 N. Riverdale Road, Weare
603-529-3322
www.gsphinc.com

Granite State Plumbing & Heating Inc. has been providing HVAC and mechanical systems installation and service since 1983. Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Comfort Systems USA, Granite State Plumbing and Heating focuses on the mid-market commercial industrial and institutional sectors, while caring for customers, employees and the environment.

Best Corporate Moving Company: Ray the Mover
1 Allard Drive, Manchester
603-669-7170
www.raythemover.net

Established in 1937 by Raymond Allard, Ray the Mover is a third-generation family-owned and -operated business. As a premium service mover, it utilizes a large fleet of modern vans and equipment, palletized warehousing and carefully selected van crews. The company has a network of over 300 destination agents throughout the United States to assist corporate clients. Additionally, Ray the Mover is one of the top-rated military carriers in New England, serving military personnel who are being relocated throughout the country.

Best Cell Phone Provider: Verizon Wireless
Locations throughout New Hampshire
140 West Street, New York, NY
800-837-4966
www.verizonwireless.com

Verizon Wireless has the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless network as well as coverage in more than 200 countries. With a variety of plans tailored to businesses, Verizon Wireless can keep your company connected to customers down the street or across the country. In the past several years, Verizon has expanded its “lightning-fast” 4G LTE network into many New Hampshire towns and cities.

Best Telecommunications Provider: Comcast
1701 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, PA
1-800-COMCAST
www.comcast.com

Comcast Corp. is one of the nation’s leading providers of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, with 22.3 million cable customers, 25.8 million high-speed Internet customers and 11.5 million Comcast Digital Voice customers. Backed by industry-leading, 24/7 business-class support, Comcast provides advanced communication solutions to small and mid-sized organizations to help them meet their business needs through its Comcast Business services.

Best Commercial Real Estate Broker: Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan
168 S. River Road, Bedford
603-232-8282
www.metro.yourworkoffice.com

Based in Austin, Texas, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the largest residential real estate company in the United States by agent count. Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan runs offices in Bedford, Concord, Keene and Londonderry. Its commercial real estate arm, KW Commercial, delivers industry-leading education, top-of-the-line technology and unparalleled support to its agents and brokers, helping them to make your commercial transaction swift, efficient and, most importantly, profitable.

Best Title Company: Accurate Title
170 South River Road, Bedford
1-800-639-4405
www.accuratetitlenh.com

Accurate Title offers flexible closing options for clients’ convenience such as e-mailed documents, closings through express mail and closings at any of its four New Hampshire locations. From beginning to end, Accurate Title keeps all parties involved in a transaction informed and explains everything upfront thus minimizing confusion and surprises at closing.

Best Waste Removal Company: Waste Management Inc.
Offices in Londonderry, New Hampton and Rochester
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 4000, Houston, Texas
800-847-5303
www.wm.com

Waste Management provides solid waste collection services as well as transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services to New Hampshire and across the country. Waste Management also is a leader in waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy practices in the United States.

Best Waste Removal Company (Local): ​Pinard Waste Systems
32 W. River Road, Hooksett
603-623-6937
www.pinardwaste.com

New Hampshire-based Pinard Waste Systems is the largest privately owned waste-handling company in the state. Headquartered in Hooksett, it is known for its customer service and proactive approach in fostering environmentally sound practices.

Best Art Gallery for Corporate Art: Art 3 Gallery
44 W. Brook Street, Manchester
603-668-6650
www.art3gallery.com

Art 3 Gallery is a premier New England retail fine art gallery offering custom framing and corporate and residential art consulting services. Located in a restored townhouse in the historic Millyard, the gallery includes one of the largest collections of art by New Hampshire, New England, national and international artists.

Best Executive Search Firm: KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting
5 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 304, Bedford
603-792-2345
www.kbwfinancial.com

KBW is the leading provider of finance and accounting staffing services for companies and job seekers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, specializing in permanent, temporary and temporary-to-hire services. Since it was founded in 2005, KBW has grown rapidly throughout the region, often being named to Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies.

Best Staffing Service: The Nagler Group
5 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 304, Bedford
603-637-1492
www.naglergroup.com

The Nagler Group is a leading staffing firm focusing on administrative and human resource recruiting for employers and job seekers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It offers a full suite of temporary and direct-hire staffing services with a dedicated staff focusing exclusively on the local community.

Best Courier and Delivery Service: Green Mountain Messenger
57 Harvey Road, Londonderry
603-626-7120
www.shipgmm.com

Beginning in 1987 with one route, Green Mountain Messenger has grown to over 100 daily routes and become a full service provider of courier and same-day delivery services in the New England region. With New Hampshire offices in Londonderry and West Lebanon, GMM’s dedicated management team of experienced problem solvers has provided its customers with cost effective and efficient transportation solutions resulting in a solid base of long term-satisfied customers.

Best Private Golf Course: Wentworth By The Sea Country Club
60 Wentworth Road, Rye
603-433-3050
www.wentworthbytheseacc.com

With ocean views and natural landscaping, the original 18-hole Donald Ross championship course and two newly constructed greens provide an upscale golf outing in a private club setting. Guests are offered ongoing guidance and advice from professional staff, hole escorts and access to a golf practice facility.

Best Public Golf Course: ​Atkinson Resort & Country Club
85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson
603-362-8700
www.atkinsonresort.com

Set amongst the pristine, rolling hills, the Atkinson Resort & Country Club has been a place of solitude for city travelers since the 1800s. In addition to the 18-hole par 72 public golf course, is a practice facility designed to help golfers improve their game. The facility consists of 15,000 square feet of grass tees, 12,000 square feet of putting greens, multiple bunkers and a 65-yard short-game practice hole.

Best Hotel for Business Travel: Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel
250 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-431-2300
www.sheratonportsmouth.com

Conveniently located in the center of downtown Portsmouth, the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel allows travelers to step out on the colonial reminiscent brick streets for a meal at one of Portsmouth’s many fine restaurants, or if the weather is cold, sit down at the Two-Fifty Market restaurant inside the hotel. All guest rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi, or you can utilize the business center Link@Sheraton free-of charge to access high-speed Internet with printing capability or simply lounge while you read a magazine or newspaper.

Best Sporting Event to Take Clients to: New Hampshire Fisher Cats
1 Line Drive, Manchester
603-641-2005
www.nhfishercats.com

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats were founded in October 2003 as the AA Eastern League Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. In the first season, the Fisher Cats played at historic Gill Stadium, located on Manchester’s east side, and won the 2004 Eastern League Championship. The team moved to its current home in 2005 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester on the banks of the Merrimack River. The ballpark, which seats 6,500 people, regularly hosts theme nights to support local nonprofits.

Best MBA Program: Southern New Hampshire University
2500 N. River Road, Hooksett
603-626-9100
www.snhu.edu

SNHU offers over 50 affordable, specialized MBAs that can be completed in as few as 15 months. Programs are designed to be flexible, fitting in with students’ schedules and budgets while maintaining academic excellence. And the GMAT and GRE are not required for admission, making the program more accessible. Professionals can tailor their degree to their interests and career goals, with more than 20 career-oriented concentrations, and developing projects that serve their business needs.

Best Online Degree Program: Southern New Hampshire University
2500 N. River Road, Manchester
800-668-1249
www.snhu.edu

Southern New Hampshire University offers more than 180 accredited online programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Programs are designed to be flexible, fitting in with students’ schedules and budgets, while maintaining the school’s tradition of academic excellence.

Best Local Bank for Small Business: Bank of New Hampshire
Locations throughout New Hampshire
62 Pleasant Street, Laconia
603-524-1212
www.banknh.com

Formerly Laconia Savings Bank, Bank of New Hampshire changed its name in 2012 to better reflect its statewide focus. It is New Hampshire’s largest independent bank and, since its inception in 1831, has grown to 24 offices statewide. Because the bank is a mutual organization, it doesn’t answer to stockholders and can focus on the success of its customers, communities and employees.

Best Regional Bank for Small Business and Best Regional Commercial Lender: TD Bank
Locations throughout New Hampshire
1701 Marlton Pike East, #200
Cherry Hill, N.J.
888-751-9000
www.tdbank.com

One of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., TD Bank offers a broad array of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services to nearly eight million customers through its extensive network of 1,300 convenient locations. TD provides business solutions to companies of all sizes. Its small business banking division offers hassle-free accounts and personalized services, as well as a dedicated small business representative with every account. Its commercial banking division offers treasury management services, loans and lines of credit, leasing and equipment finance, and more.

Best Investment Firm: Fidelity Investments
Locations throughout New Hampshire
1 Spartan Way, Merrimack
603-791-5000
www.fidelity.com

Fidelity Investments is one of the world’s largest providers of financial services. Founded in 1946, the firm is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and many other financial products and services to more than 20 million individuals and institutions, as well as through 5,000 financial intermediary firms.

Best Financial Planner: Edward Jones
www.edwardjones.com

With several financial advisors around southern New Hampshire, Edward Jones is dedicated to helping clients develop strategies to reach important long-term financial goals, such as paying for a child’s education, retiring on your terms or creating a family legacy. In addition to offering traditional investment products, Edward Jones financial planners assess clients’ needs, develop goals, implement solutions and regularly review portfolios keeping clients’ best interests in mind.

Best Credit Union: Service Credit Union
3003 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth
800-936-7730
www.servicecu.org

The largest credit union in the state, Service Credit Union combines the warmth and attention of a credit union, the security and support of a big bank and a constant eye to the future to create a financial institution that’s always working, always innovating and always looking out for its clients. Service Credit Union provides advanced security, a broader range of competitive products and services as well as educating members on how they can get the most out of their money.

Best Electricity Provider: Eversource Energy
780 No. Commercial Street, Manchester
603-669-4000
www.eversource.com

Eversource Energy is New England’s largest energy delivery company, with approximately 3.7 million electric and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. More than 8,000 men and women are actively working to prevent problems before they arise and fix errors in good and bad weather, making sure the energy that powers the region is always there.

Best Fuel Provider: Palmer Gas and Oil
13 Hall Farm Road, Atkinson
603-898-7986
www.palmergas.com

Touting to provide the friendliest, simplest and safest service in Southern New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts, Palmer Gas & Oil remains a family-owned business that has grown from its quaint beginnings in the early 1900s. Its automatic delivery, easy building and maintenance plans make it easy to keep your tank full and your equipment in tip-top shape.

Best Solar Energy Company: ReVision Energy
7 Commercial Drive, Brentwood
603-679-1777
www.revisionenergy.com

Founded in 2003 with five New England offices including a location in Concord, ReVision Energy is a renewable energy contracting company that provides a full range of engineering, design, installation and equipment service for homes, businesses, municipal buildings and nonprofits. A registered benefit corporation, ReVision prides itself on being a mission-driven company that makes a substantial effort to embody its values in every interaction with customers, suppliers and the community as well as amongst its staff.

Best Florist: Ford Flower
83 S. Broadway, Salem
603-893-9955
www.fordflower.com

Ford Flower Co. is the premier flower shop for all Salem flower delivery services, with a wide range of selection of plants and gift baskets for all occasions. Ford Flower will create and deliver any beautiful flower arrangement, including sympathy flowers. Flower delivery is available in Andover, Atkinson, Derry, East Derry, East Hampstead, Hampstead, Haverhill, Lawrence, Londonderry, Methuen, North Andover, North Salem, Pelham, Salem and Windham.

Best Corporate Event Caterer: Tidewater Catering Group
250 Commercial Street, Suite 2021, Manchester
603-668-6111
www.tidewatercatering.com

Tidewater Catering Group is a full-service, off-premise catering and event planning company located in Manchester’s historic Millyard. Tidewater can cater large corporate events or the most intimate affair, paying close attention to every detail of your event. Its team of experienced professionals works with you to accommodate and adapt to all your requests in food and service, ensuring that every detail of the function is perfectly executed.

Best Networking Event: New Hampshire Conference for Women
603-744-0400
www.womeninspiring.com/nh-conference-for-women/

Scheduled to take place Friday, Nov. 2, 2018 in Manchester, the annual New Hampshire Conference for Women provides an opportunity for women (and men) to listen to motivational speakers while forming peer-to-peer connections and furthering personal and professional development. Attendees in positions ranging from domestic goddess to administrative assistant to CEO make up the group of dynamic, fabulous women. The conference is just one of many events organized by the member-based organization Women Inspiring Women.

Best Small Venue for Meetings and Events: Bedford Village Inn
2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford
603-472-2001
www.bedfordvillageinn.com

The perfect setting for your corporate meeting, dinner or retreat in New Hampshire, the Bedford Village Inn works with you to cater and customize every aspect of your corporate meetings, whether it’s a simple breakfast gathering or a private dinner featuring wine tastings with its certified sommelier. Its great hall accommodates meetings and conferences up to 225 people, and its function spaces are equipped with high-speed Internet, audio/visual equipment, video conferencing capabilities and more.

Best Medium Venue for Meetings and Events: Grappone Conference Center
70 Constitution Avenue, Concord
603-225-0303
www.grapponeconferencecenter.com

With the largest ballroom and function space in the Concord area, the Grappone Conference Center is an ideal destination for your corporate event. All meeting rooms offer high-speed Internet access, individual lighting, sound, heat and air conditioning controls. Its dedicated team of event planners and culinary experts assist with every detail of your event, from technical audiovisual needs, complex floor plans to unlimited food and beverage possibilities. Its Granite Ballroom comfortably accommodates up to 500 guests.

Best Large Venue for Meetings and Events: Omni Mount Washington Resort
310 Mount Washington Road, Bretton Woods
603-278-1000
www.omnihotels.com/MtWashington

As grand as the history behind it, Omni Mount Washington Resort is a favorite New England retreat and host to dozens of political, business and artistic gatherings. In January 2009, Omni Mount Washington Resort opened the Presidential Wing, one of the largest meeting spaces in northern New Hampshire, with a total of 30,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as a 25,000-square-foot spa and salon. The hotel’s varied meeting rooms are perfect for a wide range of meetings, including training sessions, customer presentations, team-building seminars and strategic planning retreats. Its staff is ready to attend to every detail, from itinerary planning to audio/visual equipment to custom menus.

Best Payroll Service: ADP Payroll Solutions
One ADP Blvd., Roseland, N.J.
800-225-5237
www.adp.com

ADP is one of the world’s largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging more than 55 years of experience, ADP offers a wide range of services including human resources, payroll, tax and benefits administration solutions. ADP’s easy-to-use solutions for employers provide superior value to companies of all types and sizes.

Best Locally Owned Payroll Service: Business Cents
172 Rockingham Road, Londonderry
603-537-1112
www.businesscents.com

From payroll and bookkeeping to document management, Business Cents has all the support business owners need to free them up from burdensome tasks so they can concentrate on making their business thrive. Business Cents will accommodate traditional and non-traditional needs, providing a personalized service and security that ensures business logistics are in capable hands.

Best Office Supplies: W.B. Mason
12 Murphy Drive, Nashua
888-926-2766
www.wbmason.com

Since 1898, the dedicated people at W.B. Mason have been passionate about bringing their amazingly low prices, superior delivery and outstanding personal service to businesses of all sizes for all of their office products needs. Headquartered in Brockton, Mass., W.B. Mason has grown to become the largest, privately owned office products dealer in the United States, with over 30 locations spanning 11 states, with everything you need for your office, from supplies and furniture, to break room and janitorial goods.

Best Locally Owned Office Supplies: Central Paper Products
21 Riverside Street, Nashua
888-578-9303
www.centralpaperonline.com

Central Paper has been specializing in paper for over 60 years, representing the nation’s leading paper manufacturers including Neenah Paper, Wausau Paper and Xerox Paper. Central Paper offers customers online ordering and account maintenance. It also has 5 full-service Paperworks retail stores in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Best Office Cleaning Service: The Cleaning Guy
PO Box 1438, Concord
603-410-6449
www.thecleaningguynh.com

For more than 30 years, The Cleaning Guy has been providing unmatched commercial cleaning services out of the greater Manchester area to residences and businesses across the state. Its mission is to clean for health — that is, cleaning to keep facilities healthier places to work. It provides services such as daily and weekly office cleaning, carpet, window and floor care with the very best, high-quality equipment.

Best Office Furniture: Staples
Locations throughout New Hampshire
500 Staples Drive, Framingham, MA
800-378-2753
www.staples.com

New England-based Staples Inc. opened its first office supply superstore in 1986 and today is the world’s largest office products company with more than 1,800 stores in North America. From pens, paper, data CDs — and, yes, staples — Staples offers a wide range of office products and solutions.

Best Locally Owned Office Furniture: Office Alternatives
186 Granite Street, Manchester
603- 668-9230
www.office-alternatives.com

Since 1984, Office Alternatives has carried everything you need for your office environment, from office chairs and seating, used filing cabinets and storage, used cubicle systems and panels, workstations and more.

Best Employee Benefits: CGI Business Solutions
171 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett
603-622-4600
www.cgibusinesssolutions.com

CGI Business Solutions provides a full spectrum of employee benefit planning, design and administration along with investment and wealth management, customized business insurance solutions, technological resources and human resources support. It has four locations in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine.

Best Commercial Insurance Provider: Cross Insurance Agency
Locations throughout New Hampshire
800-999-7345
www.crossagency.com

Headquartered in Maine with nine offices in New Hampshire, Cross Insurance Agency offers experience in all facets of insurance protection — and more than 400 knowledgeable employees — so it can always assemble the team best suited to meet its clients’ business and personal insurance needs. Its business products are tailored for a range of industries and include property, general liability, business interruption income, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, cyber liability, professional liability and more. Its fully staffed employee benefits division represents more than 1,500 employee benefit clients throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and each client is assigned a minimum of two Cross representatives: an account executive, whose principal responsibility is front-line contact, and a benefits specialist, working in a day-to-day fashion with each client.

Best Hospital: Elliot Hospital
1 Elliot Way, Manchester
603-669-5300
www.elliothospital.org

The cornerstone of the Elliot Health System — the largest provider of comprehensive health care services in southern New Hampshire — is Elliot Hospital, a 296-bed acute care facility in Manchester. Established in 1890, the hospital offers surrounding communities caring, compassionate and professional patient service regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual preference or ability to pay. The hospital is Greater Manchester’s designated trauma center, and is also home to a cancer center, urology center and has one of only three Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the state.

Best Health Insurance Provider: Anthem BlueCross BlueShield of NH
1155 Elm Street, Suite 200, Manchester
603-541-2000
www.anthem.com

Anthem BlueCross and BlueShield, New Hampshire’s largest health benefits company, is a member company of WellPoint Inc., whose mission is to improve the lives and the health of the people and the communities it serves. The company delivers a number of health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products, including pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts.

Best Copy Services: Hampstead Print and Copy
3 Commerce Park Drive, East Hampstead
603-382-3400
www.hampsteadcopy.com

A wholly owned subsidiary of RAM Printing Inc., Hampstead Print & Copy is a full-service copy center offering the best in precision color and black & white copying, printing and output for personal and business needs. Hampstead offers a variety of binding, collating, laminating and other finishing services as well as items including personalized mouse pads, T-shirts, coffee mugs and other fun gifts.

Best Long-Run Printer: RAM Printing, Inc.
5 Commerce Park Drive, East Hampstead
603-382-7045
www.ramprinting.com

RAM Printing, is a family-owned and operated, full-service offset printing company with over 30 years servicing the printing and imaging needs of business, industry and the design trade throughout New England. RAM Printing handles everything from stationery to annual reports, from state-of-the-art pre-press to enterprise-wide fulfillment, and from file management to imaging innovation. Located in southern New Hampshire, RAM Printing services all of greater Boston, New Hampshire and southern Maine.

Best Short-Run Printer: RAM Printing, Inc.
5 Commerce Park Drive, East Hampstead
603-382-7045
www.ramprinting.com

RAM Printing, a family-owned and -operated, full-service offset printing company. Located in East Hampstead, RAM Printing is a part of RAM Companies, which also includes RAM Mailing Service, Hampstead Print & Copy and GuestMark International, which provides specialized print services and products for the hospitality industry.

Best Promotional Products Supplier: Say It In Stitches
128 Hall Street, Suite B, Concord
603-224-6470
www.stitchesnh.com

Say It In Stitches is a promotional product distributor with a mission to help you create long-lasting relationships with your clients through the power of promotional products. Promotional products are used by virtually every business in America, and Say It In Stitches can supply your company with every possible promotional product — such as pens, mugs, t-shirts, wristbands or lanyards — from more than 3,000 suppliers.

Best Commercial Signage: ​Barlo Signs
158 Greeley Street, Hudson
603-882-2638
www.barlosigns.com

Creating exceptional signage since 1969, Barlo Signs began as a small sign shop in the garage of Arthur and Pam Bartlett. With steady growth each year, Barlo Signs has expanded into every facet of the sign industry, with a 35,000-square-foot facility in New Hampshire as well as a facility in Mexico.

Best Auto Dealership: ​AutoFair Automotive Group
Dealerships in Manchester, Nashua, Stratham, Plaistow and Merrimack
603-634-1000
www.autofair.com

For more than 20 years, AutoFair has served New Hampshire and surrounding areas as a new and used auto dealership. With services such as an online Car Finder, AutoFair’s Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, Subaru and pre-owned dealerships work hard to make the vehicle shopping experience an enjoyable and memorable one. AutoFair also takes pride in serving the community, and is a founding member of the Manchester Charitable Foundation.

Best Auto Luxury Dealership: ​Tulley BMW
170 Auto Center Road, Manchester
888-453-4380
147 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua
888-461-8281
www.tulleybmw.com

With locations in both Nashua and Manchester, Tulley BMW treats the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern. Its experienced sales staff is eager to share its knowledge and enthusiasm about its range of new and certified pre-owned BMWs. Both facilities also have BMW Service Centers, which are staffed with experienced, BMW-trained technicians who will quickly diagnose and remedy any areas of concern and get you back on the road quickly and safely.

Best Auto Fleet Dealership: AutoFair Automotive Group
Dealerships in Manchester, Nashua, Stratham, Plaistow and Merrimack
603-634-1000
www.autofair.com

At AutoFair, a friendly sales staff is always on hand to exceed customer’s expectations with world class service and exemplary knowledge. Companies will find over 3,000 vehicles including Honda, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen and Subaru ready for immediate delivery. There’s also a large inventory of certified pre-owned vehicles to choose from.

Best Car Service: Grace Limousine
995 Goffstown Road, Manchester
603-666-0203
www.gracelimo.com

Family-owned and -operated from Manchester since 1990, Grace Limousine is committed to providing the best in personal, special event and corporate transportation. More than just transportation, Grace’s fleet includes Lincoln sedans, a stretch Navigator, a 1956 Rolls Royce Bentley and “green” vehicles such as the Lexus SUV hybrid, as well as stretch limousines equipped with LCD TV’s and DVD players.

Best Business Startup Competition: Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation-to-Market Competition
www.paulcollege.unh.edu/paul-j-holloway-innovation-market-prize

Named in honor of New Hampshire entrepreneur Paul J. Holloway, the Holloway competition is open to all students of the University System of New Hampshire. Established in 1988, the competition presents cash awards to winning teams and runners-up who demonstrate a solid plan for bringing an innovative product or service to market. The rigor of the competition maximizes educational value, prepares students for the realities of the business world and helps to generate new business opportunities.

Best Young Professionals Network: Manchester Young Professionals Network
www.mypn.org

Established in 2004, the Manchester Young Professionals Network is New Hampshire’s first and largest young professionals’ networking organization, supporting nearly 3,000 young professionals in the Queen City. Through monthly and sometimes weekly events, MYPN aims to create business and social opportunities, support professional development and welcome new and existing young professionals to the Manchester community. MYPN also hosts one of the start’s largest business startup competitions, the New Hampshire Startup Challenge, which provides cash and in-kind services to winning business plans.

Best Bankruptcy Law Firm: Sheehan Phinney
1000 Elm Street, 17th Floor, Manchester
603-668-0300
www.sheehan.com

Sheehan Phinney’s attorneys represent clients in every aspect of business bankruptcy cases and other insolvency venues. The members of the Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group and the firm’s broader business litigation team have extensive experience in handling appellate proceedings in the United States District Courts, Bankruptcy Appellate Panels and United States Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court of New Hampshire and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Attorneys also serve as mediators, arbitrators or other facilitators to resolve actual or potential commercial litigation through alternative dispute resolution techniques.

Best Corporate Law Firm: McLane Middleton
900 Elm Street, Manchester
603-625-6464
www.mclane.com

McLane Middleton brings over nine decades of corporate law, representing clients across a broad spectrum of size, complexity and industry, with their most important corporate law issues, including business formation, corporate governance, complex agreements, capital raising, securities offerings, executive compensation, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic transactions. McLane Middleton’s identifies innovative solutions to complex issues.

Best Employment Law Firm: McLane Middleton
900 Elm Street, Manchester
603-625-6464
www.mclane.com

McLane Middleton provides expertise while keeping legal costs in check, by addressing matters promptly and effectively. The law firm assists clients with workplace audits, strategic workforce training, timely workplace investigations and more, in industries ranging from manufacturing to educational and technology business. The firm has substantial expertise in discrimination, harassment, disability, data privacy, drug testing, family and medical leave, federal and state regulatory compliance, OSHA, wage and hour, reductions in fore, immigration and more.

Best Intellectual Property Law Firm: Devine Millimet
111 Amherst Street, Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com

In addition to patent prosecution and litigation before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Devine Millimet’s Patent, Trademark & Licensing team provides prior art searches, patentability evaluations and validity and infringement opinions, with help through their network of associates in foreign jurisdictions. The firm also provides copyright registration and enforcement, preparation of technology transfer agreements and formation of joint ventures.

Best Real Estate Law Firm: Shaheen Gordon
80 Merrimack Street, Manchester
603-635-4099
www.shaheengordon.com

Shaheen Gordon’s team helps clients understand the challenges associated with purchasing, selling, developing and navigating the financing paths for real estate. The firm reviews and advises on leases and lease negotiations, assists with the necessary documents for developing condominiums as well as taking action on behalf of landlords and tenants. Shaheen Gordon has over thirty years of experience representing individuals, corporations, investors and developers throughout New England.

Best Tax Law Firm: McLane Middleton
900 Elm Street, Manchester
603-625-6464
www.mclane.com

McLane Middleton tax attorneys advise clients on a broad range tax planning issues including federal tax planning, retirement plans and employee benefits, employee stock ownership plays, executive compensation planning, state and local tax planning, tax controversy, tax-exempt entities and international tax planning. McLane’s tax attorneys also have the unique perspective of frequently participating in the drafting of New Hampshire’s tax legislation.

Best After-Work Bar:

Greater Manchester: Copper Door
15 Leavy Drive, Bedford
603-488-2677
www.copperdoorrestaurant.com

Monadnock Region – Multi-location: Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
77 Main Street, Keene
603-357-4492
www.margs.com

Monadnock Region – Local: The Pasta Loft Restaurant
241 Union Square, Milford
603-672-2270
www.pastaloft.com

Greater Concord – Multi-location: The Common Man
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Concord – Local: The Barley House
132 Main Street, Concord
603-228-6363
www.thebarleyhouse.com

Greater Nashua: The Peddler’s Daughter
48 Main Street, Nashua
603-821-7535
www.thepeddlersdaughter.com

Seacoast: The Portsmouth Brewery
56 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-431-1115
www.portsmouthbrewery.com

North of Concord: Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery
135 Main Street, North Woodstock
603-745-3951
www.woodstockinnnh.com

Best Business Dinner:

Greater Manchester: Copper Door
15 Leavy Drive, Bedford
603-488-2677
www.copperdoorrestaurant.com

Greater Nashua (Multi-location): The Common Man
304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack
603-429-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Nashua (Local): Buckley’s Great Steaks
438 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack
603-424-0995
www.buckleysgreatsteaks.com

Greater Concord (Multi-location): The Common Man Concord
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Concord (Local): O Steaks and Seafood
11 S. Main Street, Concord
603-856-7925
www.magicfoodsrestaurantgroup.com/osteaks/

Greater Salem: Tuscan Kitchen
67 Main Street, Salem
603-952-4875
www.tuscanbrands.com

Seacoast: Surf Restaurant
99 Bow Street, Portsmouth
603-334-9855
www.surfseafood.com

North of Concord: O Steaks & Seafood
11 S. Main Street, Concord
603-856-7925
www.magicfoodrestaurantgroup.com/osteaks/

Monadnock Region: Giorgio’s Ristorante
524 Nashua Street, Milford
603-673-3939
www.giorgios.com

Best Business Lunch:

Greater Manchester: Cotton
75 Arms Street, Manchester
603-622-5488
www.cottonfood.com

Greater Nashua (Multi-location): The Common Man
304 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack
603-429-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Concord (Multi-location): The Common Man
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Concord (Local): The Barley House
132 N. Main Street, Concord
603-228-6363
www.thebarleyhouse.com

Seacoast: The Portsmouth Brewery
56 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-431-1115
www.portsmouthbrewery.com

North of Concord: ​Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille
40 Andover Road, New London
603-526-6899
www.flyinggoose.com

Monadnock Region: Elm City Brewing Company
222 West Street, Unit 46, Keene
603-355-3335
www.elmcitybrewing.com

Best Cup of Coffee:

Greater Manchester: The Bridge Café
1117 Elm Street, Manchester
603-647-9991
www.thebridgecafe.net

Greater Nashua: ​Riverwalk Café & Music Bar
35 Railroad Square, Nashua
603-578-0200
www.riverwalknashua.com

Monadnock Region: Prime Roast
603 352 7874
16 Main Street, Keene
www.primeroastcoffee.com

Seacoast: Popovers on the Square
8 Congress Street, Portsmouth
603-431-1119
www.popoversonthesquare.com

Greater Concord: White Mountain Gourmet Coffee
15 Pleasant Street, Concord
603-228-3317
www.whitemountaingourmetcoffee.com

North of Concord: White Mountain Café
212 Main Street, Gorham
603-466-2511
www.whitemountaincafe.com

Greater Salem: Village Bean
33 Indian Rock Road, Windham
603-434-2326
www.villagebean.com

 

Categories: BOB Awards

More news from NHBR: