Author: NH Business Review Staff

Employers sought for Whittemore career fair

Employers are being sought to participate in the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics’ graduate business and technology career fair, to be held Oct. 1 at the university, The fair, to be held from 10 a.m.…

Looking at the law with Kelly Ayotte

Kelly Ayotte, 36, is both a native and current resident of Nashua. A graduate of Nashua High School and Penn State University, she earned her law degree at Villanova and has been practicing law in New Hampshire since 1993. She…

Ingram named Portsmouth chamber chief

Dick Ingram, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast since 2001, has been named the new president of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. Ingram, who will begin his new job on Sept. 24, has an…

The week that was

SkillSoft PLC (SKIL) reported profit of $1.4 million, or 1 cent a share, for the quarter ended July 31. The company lost $53.2 million the same time last year, though $44 million of that was due to a legal settlement.…

Benefits administration in the era of same-sex marriage

The advent of state-recognized same-sex marriage in Massachusetts earlier this year creates a number of perplexing questions for employers in neighboring states that may employ Massachusetts residents. You can reduce this uncertainty by considering this matter in a three-step manner:…

Free trade deal letter stirs constitutional debate

The pen may be mightier than the sword, but Gov. Craig Benson’s pen doesn’t overrule the New Hampshire Constitution. That, in essence, is the message of a letter signed by a half-dozen New Hampshire legislators and delivered to the attorney…

Greenland mall case goes to top court

The battle between proponents of a proposed 357,000-square-foot shopping center in Greenland and those opposing it are readying their cases before the state Supreme Court. The court has scheduled a Sept. 23 hearing on the case that was brought by…

Coming to terms with the term sheet in selling your business

You’ve done everything right to build a successful business and, in addition to making money, find that you have made your company an attractive acquisition target. Initially, when someone wants to buy your business, the first contact from the acquirer…

State-sponsored summits push economic development

The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development works closely with the governor’s office to create new opportunities for New Hampshire businesses. In many cases this involves bringing people together to share best practices, common experiences and new ideas. In order…

Flexible codes sought for older buildings

More flexible building codes are needed to make the renovation of old buildings profitable, according to Chris Williams, vice president for economic development and government relations with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. In Manchester, he said, “for a lot…

Shipyard prison redevelopment remains in limbo

When the U.S. Navy unveiled its “outleasing” program at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1999, the most ambitious plan involved turning the former naval prison into the Seavey Island Technology Center, a first-class business park for technology firms. But the death…

From the Marketplace

Prudential Verani adds Cote to staff Paul Cote has joined Prudential Verani Realty’s Londonderry office as a new agent. “Prudential Verani welcomes Paul to our Londonderry team of real estate professionals,” said Margherita Verani, president of the firm. “He brings…

One-supermarket towns pay a price with no competition

Food prices at Shaw’s Supermarkets in the North Country are considerably higher than at Shaw’s stores and other competing supermarkets farther south in New Hampshire, a survey conducted by The Courier of Littleton has found. Some Littleton area residents have…

Nottingham planners OK USA Springs application

The Nottingham Planning Board has accepted USA Springs Inc.’s application to build a water bottling plant in town, but postponed public comment until Sept. 22. At the next meeting, the board will devote the first 45 minutes to three issues…

Construction spending hits all-time high

U.S. construction spending rebounded in July, rising to the highest level on record, the government has reported. The rebound, which came after a June lull, meant that the value of buildings put in place clocked in at a seasonally adjusted…

High court backs elderly housing

The state Supreme Court has upheld Newmarket’s elderly housing zoning ordinance. The ruling brings CCW Management of Concord one step closer to constructing a 57-unit elderly housing project on a nine-acre site at 292 Wadleigh Falls Rd. Abutters had appealed…

Office Depot eyeing Nashua

Office Depot, the world’s No. 2 office supply store, is renovating the inside of the former Kids R Us location in Nashua to make way for a new store. Nashua Planning Director Roger Houston said Office Depot has applied for…

School district wants firm to cover steel increases

The Dresden School District in Hanover is locked in a dispute with its construction company over huge increases in the cost of steel for a new middle school and renovated high school. Eckman Construction Co. of Bedford, the construction manager,…

Wal-Mart plans Portsmouth expansion

Wal-Mart has proposed converting its Portsmouth store on Lafayette Road into a Wal-Mart Supercenter, with at least 60,000 square feet of new store space, a new section for groceries, a hair salon and a bank. To make room for the…

Confusing data clouds status of recovery

For several months I have been commenting on job formation - specifically, the lack thereof. Several people have told me I am being too negative and that the economy is really OK. Of course, others think we are about to…

Associated Grocers gets conditional OK

The Pembroke Planning Board has conditionally approved the planned construction of a 350,000-square-foot Associated Grocers of New England warehouse — the first development in the Soucook River Development District. The board did set out a dozen provisions for Associated Grocers…

Littleton readies new master plan

The Littleton Planning Board has made final adjustments on a draft version of the town’s master plan in preparation for a public hearing some time in October. The proposed master plan is separated into 12 subsections addressing various issues, including…

Chamber supports Exeter garage

An Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce task force is recommending construction of a four-level garage at the Water Street municipal lot to provide spaces for long-term parking needs. Tracey McGrail, president of the chamber, told selectmen last month that demand…

Lonza plans third Pease building

Lonza Biologics Inc. has announced plans to nearly double its operations at Pease International Tradeport. The firm wants to spend another $200 million to develop a third facility. Lonza’s director of engineering, John Machulski, has asked the Pease Development Authority…

What do consultants do for the money?

Should the state pay high-priced consultants to design the state’s Medicaid plan and write federal waivers that could help implement it? That’s the question raised by Cindy Mann, consultant for the New Hampshire Endowment for Health, one of the chief…

Consultant warns of Medicaid waiver pitfalls

The state will be walking into a spending cap trap if it applies for a federal waiver to restructure Medicaid — a trap that could jeopardize the state budget for years to come as well as shift health-care costs and…

Billing system is among health care’s biggest ailments

I had some minor surgery last summer. Thankfully, everything turned out OK. The interesting thing is I’m still getting bills a year later. In fact, the billing process is so fragmented, extended and convoluted, I’d be hard-pressed to tell you…

Giving back

The unfortunate illness of a child has led to a million-dollar gift and the launch of the Children’s Fund of the Upper Valley, a newly formed charitable organization. The gift — $1 million over the next 10 years from the…

Free prescription program hits milestone

The Portsmouth Regional Hospital Prescription Assistance program has reached a milestone, successfully providing area residents with $1 million worth of free prescriptions. Part of New Hampshire’s Medical Bridge Program, the hospital established the referral service operated by Lamprey Healthcare in…

Mandatory kindergarten proposed by state Board of Ed

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - All school districts would have to offer kindergarten in September 2007 under changes proposed by the state Board of Education. The board is revising the minimum public school standards - the basic rules all schools must…

School’s books to get routine audit

LYNDEBOROUGH - The board of the Central School has agreed that the school’s books should be audited, something that apparently has not been done in anyone’s memory. The school’s accounts, except for an activity fund, are kept by the School…

District 26 primary eliminates one

NASHUA - One Democrat didn’t make the cut in the state representative primary for 10 seats in District 26. Jeffrey Roscoe Richardson of 60 Nottingham Drive finished in last place in the 11-person field, with 398 votes. That was 16…

New fire marshal has Nashua ties

CONCORD - A Nashua native was sworn in as the state’s top fire official Friday. J. William Degnan was sworn in as state fire marshal at an afternoon ceremony at the New Hampshire State Fire Academy, Nashua Fire Inspector Rick…

Woman competing in senior pageant

A city woman is one of the finalists competing this weekend in the Ms. Senior America Pageant in New Hampshire. Jean Hines, 66, of Nashua will be competing today at the pageant in Exeter. The New Hampshire winner will represent…

Board OKs Pond Street parking lot

NASHUA - A site on Pond Street that has been an eyesore for years will be cleaned up, and a 113-space parking lot for the Main Street Marketplace will be built there under a proposal approved unanimously by the Planning…

Selectmen OK union raises

Merrimack- The Board of Selectmen on Thursday approved raises for 30 public works employees. Under a contract negotiated with the employees’ union, the workers would receive 3 percent raises in each of the next two years, said Selectmen’s Chairman Dick…

Women hurt in evening crash

A Nashua woman was injured early Friday evening when her car was struck broadside by a sport utility vehicle on Amherst Street. Emily Holland, 23, was treated and released from Southern New Hampshire Medical Center where she was transported after…

School Board mulling changes

WILTON - The board of the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School is considering changes to policies on attendance and student safety. The changes were first discussed Wednesday, and further discussions will be held at the School Board’s next meeting on Sept. 22.…

History teacher receives award

NASHUA - The head social studies teacher at Nashua High School North has been named the New Hampshire winner of the new Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award. Thomas Gilfoyle of Pelham will receive a $1,000 award, a…

Law enforcement expo planned

MERRIMACK - The Nashua Police Department’s 10th annual Northeast Law Enforcement Expo will be Sept. 25-26 at the Anheuser-Busch fields. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. More than 75 federal, state, county and local law…

Trail day to be held at Mine Falls

NASHUA- The Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee will hold its next trail day of the season Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The group will meet at the Whipple Street entrance to the park, near Simon Street and the soccer fields.…

IF YOU GO: Nashua River Rail Trail

The Nashua River Rail Trail runs from the southwest corner of the city to Ayer, Mass. The start of the trail in Nashua is off Route 111A (West Groton Road), near the Hollis town line. The city plans to create…

Town closes road for construction

LYNDEBOROUGH - Selectmen have closed Old Temple Road West to all traffic through the construction area around the old stone arch bridges. The road will be closed until further notice. Selectman Dwight Sowerby said the closing was a precaution. “There…

WMSA to hold yard sale

WILTON- The Main Street Association will present its second annual Whale of a Sale fund-raiser on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Second Congregational Church in downtown Wilton. Donations of yard sale items in good…

Legion to recognize longtime members

NASHUA- The Legionnaires of James E. Coffey Post 3, along with Auxiliary Unit 3 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 3, will honor their members for their longevity in the organization and service to their community on Sunday. The…

IF YOU GO: Nashua River Rail Trail

The Nashua River Rail Trail runs from the southwest corner of the city to Ayer, Mass. The start of the trail in Nashua is off Route 111A (West Groton Road), near the Hollis town line. The city plans to create…

Native American gathering

MASON - Parker’s Maple Barn will host “Honor the Spirit,” the eighth annual gathering of American Indians, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12. The grounds, across the road from the restaurant at 1316 Brookline Road, will be open…

Brigade to show old fire equipment

NEW IPSWICH - On Sunday, Sept. 12, the New Ipswich Antique Fire Brigade will host a “Gathering of the Clan” in the Barrett House field, featuring hand fire pumpers from throughout the region. The event will run from 1-4 p.m.…

Condo association sues roofers

A Merrimack condominium association charges that a Massachusetts company botched a major roofing job several years ago, leading to leaks. The Harris Pond Condominium Association filed suit last month in Hillsborough County Superior Court against WDC Development Co. of North…

Agency offers after-school, ESL programs

The Salvation Army will begin its after-school program on Monday, Sept. 20. The program will run from 3-6 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Children will be picked up at school by the Salvation Army, and the program will include homework assistance,…