New Hampshire's Business News for April 25

A look at today's top business headlines, including: PFOA water questions continue, RiverWalk project on track for June, residential building boom in Portsmouth, office space vacancies in Concord, state officials go international to tout New Hampshire

Meeting to discuss PFOA in Manchester water  An informational meeting will be held this week for residents of southern Manchester to discuss levels of the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) found in some local water samples, including one private well in the Queen City. – NH UNION LEADER

Bottled water may be needed in PFOA-affected areas all summer  NH Department of Environmental Services officials say residents of roughly 400 homes affected by PFOA contamination may need to drink bottled water all summer. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

In Lincoln, new resort will harvest tourist dollars where paper once was king  RiverWalk at Loon Mountain opens in June, the latest addition to a town that now lives on tourism. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Development still booming in Portsmouth  A slew of residential development projects projected to increase the city’s housing stock by as much as 10 percent over the next three to five years continue to move forward. – PORTSMOUTH HERALD

In Concord, office space aplenty, but not enough business  Concord has one of the highest office vacancy rates in New Hampshire, according to a recent report to the Concord City Council. The capital city’s rate is 14 percent – higher than Portsmouth, Dover, Bedford and Manchester. At 16.9 percent, only Nashua was higher. – CONCORD MONITOR

UNH Interoperability Lab connects students with industry  It’s been operating for nearly 30 years, with contracts from corporate tech firms around the globe, but UNH’s Interoperability Lab has never had exposure like this. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

State officials tout New Hampshire's business benefits at two international trade events  New Hampshire officials are taking part in two international trade events this week. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

NH Hospital psychiatrists look to unionize  A group of 17 psychiatrists and nurses at the hospital trying to unionize as it faces a change in employer and a dearth of information. – CONCORD MONITOR

New Hampshire milk production up slightly in 2016  The latest data from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service shows 72 million pounds of milk produced between January and March. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Power Breakfast topic: Women and angel investing   “Wanted: Women Angels: Changing the Face of Angel Investing” will be the topic of the next TechWomen Power Breakfast on May 11 at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

The ACA’s 30-hour threshold  Although most employers are aware that the 2010 Affordable Care Act imposes penalties on employers with over 50 full-time employees, if coverage is not offered to full-time employees, most are not aware that reducing employees’ work hours to reduce health insurance costs could result in a federal lawsuit. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

American Lung Association gives Rockingham County failing ozone grade  A report by the American Lung Association has found that New Hampshire's Rockingham County is the only one in the state that's received a failing grade for high ozone days. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Commission studying child fatalities to discuss hiring an ombudsman  A legislative commission tasked with reviewing child deaths in New Hampshire is seeking advice from a former head of the Massachusetts child advocacy office. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Now in its 155th season, Auto Road may open to the treeline Saturday  Spring is busting out all over the Granite State, with the exception of the uppermost reaches of the Mount Washington Auto Road. But the popular byway could open as far as the treeline this Saturday and to the summit soon thereafter. – NH UNION LEADER

NH preservationists receive marching orders  An office devoted to preserving New Hampshire’s past is looking to the future. – LAWRENCE EAGLE-TRIBUNE

Berlin mayor endorses Connolly for governor  Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier is endorsing Democrat Mark Connolly for governor. – NH UNION LEADER

What would a third Conn. casino mean for Mass.? Without action, Connecticut proponents say, the state will see even more gambling business siphoned away. – THE BOSTON GLOBE

NH background check system loophole lets dangerous people continue to purchase firearms  We all know that dangerous people don't make the best decisions. But sometimes they shine a bright spotlight on themselves, highlighting their dangerous – and sometimes deadly – attempts to purchase a gun. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW