News

J.Jill seeks ‘compassionate’ T-shirt

With its acquisition by Talbots only weeks away, J Jill Group Tuesday announced the May 1 kickoff of its “Nature of Compassion” T-shirt design contest. The women's apparel retailer is inviting would-be artists to submit their own nature-inspired T-shirt designs…

Health insurance bill up for vote

The New Hampshire House is expected to pass a bill this week that would require that health insurers of businesses with fewer than 50 employees use a standard underwriting form and provide various disclosures so businesses can better compare rates.…

N.H. firms sought for matchmaking event

A matchmaking event linking New Hampshire companies involved in naval defense, port security and ocean technology with policymakers from New England and eastern Canada will be held May 11-13 i Rhode Island. The event, to be held in Newport, R.I.,…

Brookstone optimistic despite flat sales

A late improvement in sales has officials of specialty lifestyle retailer Brookstone looking toward the second quarter with optimism despite flat first-quarter numbers. Merrimack-based Brookstone Inc. officials reported net sales of $76.7 million for the first 13-week quarter of 2006.…

Centrix, Chittenden assets grow

Bedford-based Centrix Bank’s assets grew to more than $285 million at the end of its first quarter, which ended March 31 -- 29 percent more than it was at the first quarter of 2006. Net loans ($218.1 million) were up…

Manchester firm on Inc. list

Cellular Specialties Incorporated of Manchester, a firm that designs, installs and manages in-building wireless networks, has been named to the Initiative for Competitive Inner Cities and Inc magazine’s “Inner City 100” list of fastest-growing companies in America’s inner-cities. CSI was…

Community Bank earnings fall

Community Bank and Trust of Wolfeboro closed the first quarter ending March 31 with earnings lower than the same quarter the previous year. Net income for the first quarter of 2006 was $1.706 million, or 48 cents per share, down…

iCAD patent suit settled

A patent infringement suit filed by a competitor against Nashua-based iCAD Incorporated has been settled through arbitration, the company announced. On April 18, 2005, R2 Technology Inc. of Grand Rapids, Mich., alleged that iCAD infringed on two of its patents…