Author: NH Business Review Staff

Despite pitfalls, Life is Sweet for Keene store owner

In or out. There are times in life when it comes down to just that -- in or out. Do you risk it? Put all the eggs in the basket of the unknown, try something new and commit to it,…

What makes the Monadnock Region tick?

NHBR's editors met recently at the Keene offices of Better Homes & Gardens/The Masiello Group with businesspeople from around the Keene area to get their take on how the region's economy is faring and what their expectations are for the…

USNH rewards program seeks lower-cost care

A growing number of University System of New Hampshire employees are finding savings for health-related care -- and are being rewarded for it -- by taking advantage of lower-cost care.Health care costs across the university system are estimated at about…

New Hampshire should reject prisons-for-profit

While political attention is focused on the end of a contentious legislative session and the beginning of a busy election season, a momentous decision is being considered behind closed doors in the Department of Administrative Services.There, Administrative Services and Department…

Northern Pass risks region reaping benefits of economic change

The Northern Pass project debate has raged around property rights, land values and the destruction of natural beauty on the one hand and potential construction jobs and tax revenues on the other, with little discussion regarding its long-term economic implications…

Wind power subsidy is a lot of hot air

In a sound free-market economy, taxes should be easy to understand and applied in a neutral manner; the code should only be used to raise revenue, not to meddle in the economy. This spring, nearly every Republican in Washington supported…

Why Europe does matter — to everyone

The biweekly nature of the New Hampshire Business Review makes it problematic to cover ongoing economic events. But what I can do is offer quarterly economic updates. This column serves as the first part of a third-quarter update.For almost a…

Despite woes, Postal Service is a national asset

Has the U.S. Postal Service reached the end of the line and become as relevant as the hand-delivered telegram?It's a question worth debating carefully and thoroughly as the combination of technological change, questionable political policy, and a real budget crisis…

Understanding the business valuation process

The process involved in valuing Facebook for its recent initial public offering was a complex one, requiring professional judgment and the application of a variety of economic, market and asset-based business valuation techniques.Many business valuation techniques are available to use…

Flotsam & Jetsam

Goose for the ganderThere is a certain sweet irony - perhaps absurdity would be a better choice of word - in the recent commotion over the town of Sugar Hill, just north of the Notches.The whole ruckus, to remind you,…

Welcome to the politics of Dreamland

The Wednesday after Father's Day, I had a minor medical procedure that involved mild anesthesia. As I drifted off, I had a dream about the U.S. and New Hampshire's election year from here on. It made the experience easier:On the…

Q&A with Restaurateur and Broadway producer Chuck Rolecek

Chuck Rolecek has spent decades in food service, including as owner of the former C.R. Sparks in Bedford and now Hanover Street Chophouse in Manchester. A few years ago, he provided some investment money for an unknown play called "Rock…

Micronetics execs will keep jobs in merger with Mass. firm

The three top executives of Hudson-based Micronetics Inc. will keep their jobs as a result of the Hudson company's merger with the much larger Mercury Computer Systems Inc. of Chelmsford, Mass., according to a recent preliminary proxy sent to Micronetics'…

New student loan reimbursement program seeks businesses to take part

As part of its efforts to retain more of New Hampshire's young workers, the organization Stay Work Play is looking for employers in the state to participate in its new student loan reimbursement program.The Stay Work Play Challenge Grant incentive…

First-quarter personal income rises in N.H.

In the first quarter of 2012, total personal income in New Hampshire grew to $61.4 billion, up $535 million from the previous quarter and the state's largest quarterly gain since the second quarter of 2011.But during the same quarter, total…

Citing Supreme Court ruling, ex-Cabletron exec seeks dismissal of charges

Attorneys for Eric Jaeger, a former vice president and top attorney of Cabletron Systems, argued Monday that a U.S. District Court judge should dismiss securities fraud charges against him because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.Jaeger was charged with…

In May, home sales up, median price down

Home sales continued to post strong year-over-year gains in May, though median price continues to lag behind last year's figures, according to two new reports. Two May housing reports -- one by RE/MAX of New England, the other by the…

Ahead of auction, House candidate eyes conserving USA Springs property

Opponents of USA Springs should come together, buy the company at bankruptcy auction next month, and retire its permit to pump 300,000 gallons of groundwater out of the ground, said Romeo Danais, a Nottingham investor, organic farmer and candidate for…

High court rejection won’t affect some key health benefits, N.H.insurers say

Even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal health law, at least two of New Hampshire's large insurers will retain some of the more popular provisions that were part of the sweeping reform bill, although a few of them…

Presstek shareholders OK reverse split plan

Shareholders at Presstek Inc. overwhelmingly gave the company's board of directors the right to issue up to a 1-to-15 reverse stock split, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.In a vote taken on June 12, holders…

GT Advanced Technologies moves way beyond solar

Jim Furtado, a Derry engineer who had worked for a quarter-century on computer boards, thinks the PC industry is "pretty crappy." He found that out the hard way after getting laid off once again the day after coming back from…

Business Excellence Award nominations sought

Nominations are now being accepted for NHBR's 2012 Business Excellence Awards, which are celebrating their 10th year of recognizing the state's standout businesses.For a decade, the awards have recognized the imagination, innovation, achievements and dedication to the larger community of…

Save Our Groundwater not alone in USA Springs opposition

To the editor:Many of us in the state have appreciated NHBR's steadfast coverage of the USA Springs Inc. case over 11 years. The case remains the first major test of our state's groundwater protection law.However, the most recent article ("USA…

Who really benefits from RGGI funds?

To the editor:The May 18-31 issue of NHBR had an article by Rick Minard ("At least keep the RGGI safety net") as how RGGI funds benefit low-income New Hampshire homeowners. According to the article, about 10 percent of RGGI funds…

Capturing the imagination of future tech workers

Fellow entrepreneurs and CEOs show surprise when they hear tech company Dyn is based in New Hampshire. They say the talent, ideas and investor money are in Silicon Valley, New York or Cambridge. As Dyn's CEO responsible for the long-term…

Social Security: What is at stake

How critical is Social Security to the people of New Hampshire? One AARP member in New Hampshire put it this way: "This is the only retirement for a large percentage of the population. These people have been working all their…

Legislation brings overdue school building aid reform

While the Legislature was dealing with resignations and constitutional amendments, it was easy to lose track of some rather far-reaching legislation that will directly affect school districts across the state. The House and Senate earlier this month agreed to overdue…

‘Financial reset’ affects professional services

With one of my not-for-profit clients, I am working with two interns, both college graduates, working for $10 an hour -- just to be doing something. This is a very difficult time to be matriculating. My son, another of the…

New state law could muddy non-compete picture

On May 15, Governor Lynch signed into law House Bill 1270, an act requiring all New Hampshire employers to disclose non-compete and non-piracy agreements prior to making an offer of employment or an offer of change in job classification.This bill…

Investing in downtown Nashua

Downtown Nashua differs a bit from other large New Hampshire cities. Although the downtown area lacks the highway accessibility and mid- and high-rise office towers that Manchester and Concord enjoy, it boasts atmosphere and character, along with plans to improve…

Economic lessons the world is trying to teach us

The World Economic Forum is held every January in Davos, a picturesque town in the Swiss Alps. "Committed to improving the state of the world," it was started in 1971 by Professor Klaus Schwab, who continues to run and moderate…

Using a strategic alliance to boost company value

There's no question that an infusion of funding through an investor will provide a nice boost to a balance sheet. But this type of boost usually comes at a steep price: Investors typically want substantial equity interest in the business…

‘Efficiency’ doesn’t mean ‘efficacy’ when it comes to messaging

When one of my children shares some news of their day about how they felt they performed on an assignment, it's hard to give my full attention when there are dishes in the sink, a dog begging for food, a…

A tale of three constitutional amendments

As the Legislature completed its work on Concord in June 6, three significant constitutional amendments were considered, among other measures. When I wrote the first draft of this column, I expected all three to be passed on to the voters.…

NHBR About Town: The Mall of New Hampshire

Jack Toscano, right, general manager of The Mall of New Hampshire, stands with Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas. Following an upgrade of its interior seating, the mall has donated 18 benches and cushions to the City of Manchester, which will be…

NHBR About Town: Rotary Club of Hampton

Dan "Desi" Lanio, co-owner of the 401 Tavern in downtown Hampton, was named the Rotary Club of Hampton's Citizen of the Year at a ceremony sponsored by Optima Bank & Trust at Ashworth by the Sea. Lanio was recognized for…

NHBR About Town: St. Mary’s Bank

St. Mary's Bank donated $2,600 to the Central High Association of Music Parents, a nonprofit that supports the music department of Central High School in Manchester, which will be used to purchase two computers for a new student learning lab.…

NHBR About Town: New Horizons for New Hampshire

New Horizons for New Hampshire recently hosted mini "Walks Against Hunger" at each of the four middle schools in Manchester, at which more than $30,000 was raised for the soup kitchen and homeless shelter. Pictured at Hillside Middle School are,…

NHBR About Town: Seacoast Harley-Davidson

Seacoast Harley-Davidson of North Hampton has signed on as presenting sponsor of the 2012 Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Shown in the photo are, from left, Al Contois, president and general manager, Seacoast Harley: Jude David, general chairman of the festival;…

NHBR About Town: Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil

Pictured at Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil's annual Customer Appreciation Day, at which the family-owned company celebrated its 80th birthday, are, from left, employees Bill Hames, Kerry Valliere, Rick Rushton, owner Bill Ermer, Paul Perry, Arthur DeTora, and Fred Loonie.

NHBR About Town: Northeast Credit Union

As part of a recent promotion to encourage its members to sign up for electronic statements, Northeast Credit Union donated $1,300 to the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, staff members and interns of which are pictured here with…

NHBR About Town: N.H. Travel Council

The N.H. Travel Council presented awards to leading professionals at the annual two-day Governor's Conference on Tourism. Pictured at the awards ceremony are, from left, George Bald, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development; Michelle Cota,…

NHBR About Town: Bellwether Community Credit Union

Taylor Levesque, a Manchester resident and recent recipient of the Bellwether Community Champion award, throws out the ceremonial first pitch at a New Hampshire Fisher Cats game on May 12. Levesque was honored during an on-field, pre-game presentation for her…

Q&A with North Country attorney Paul Chant

Ask Paul Chant, the president-elect of the New Hampshire Association for Justice (formerly the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association), about the recent documentary film, "Hot Coffee," and he'll tell you it's a story about why calls for so-called tort reform…

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good

When I worked in corporate finance (a long time ago), we used the philosophy of "measure twice and cut once" as a way to make sure we were careful and thoughtful about our work. It always reminded us to double-check…

Flotsam & Jetsam

Rapid candidate movementNothing apparently gets Republican opponents on the same page faster than the mere mention if the name "Tom Alciere."You may remember Alciere, the former Republican state rep from Nashua who was exposed not long after his election as…

Study measures economic impact of N.H. summer camps

Beyond teaching kids how to water ski, horseback ride and aim for the bull's-eye, summer camps directly contribute $163 million to the New Hampshire economy each year, according to a new economic impact study.And throughout nine states in the Northeast,…

Wells Fargo sues former owner of Dover insurance unit

Wells Fargo Special Risks Inc. says it paid more than $6 million to John G. Gray for his insurance business, employed him and his son Jeffrey for four years, gave him over a year in severance, and then found he…

NHBR About Town: New Hampshire Pediatric Society

Dr. Greg Prazar, chapter president of the New Hampshire Pediatric Society, presents its "Public Citizen of the Year" award to Georgie Clark, coordinator of the Partners in Health program at Families First Health and Support Center in Portsmouth. Since Clark…

‘Home-flippers’ return to real estate market in New Hampshire

More than a quarter of all the homes sold in New Hampshire in the first quarter of the year were distressed properties, meaning that "home-flippers" are coming back on the market, according to a newly released report.According to the inaugural…

Author: NH Business Review Staff

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