New Hampshire's Business News for April 8
A look at today's top business headlines including: updating NH's business tax laws, Manchester VA Medical Center apologizes to veterans, the impact of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Whole Foods Market now open in Bedford, NH and Keene State College starts a union
Bills seek to update NH’s aging business tax laws With no changes since 2000, state code seen as “a dinosaur.” – NH BUSINESS REVIEW
In Litchfield, residents on edge about health effects of PFOA contamination Residents of Litchfield grilled a panel from the Department of Environmental Services Thursday night with questions about water contamination in their town. – NH PUBLIC RADIO
Londonderry officials eye water tests Town officials are in touch with the state Department of Environmental Services regarding the discovery of low levels of perfluorooctanic acid, or PFOA, in some drinking water resources in nearby towns. – LAWRENCE EAGLE-TRIBUNE
State continues to pursue solution to MTBE contaminated water in Swanzey The NH MtBE Remediation Bureau has received further validation that extending the village’s water line is the best option to address well water contamination in abutting Westport. – THE KEENE SENTINEL
PFOA found near Bennington, Vt., landfill and in more wells Officials say Chemfab, the company whose former plant is believed to be one source of the contamination, could have legally disposed of the chemical at the landfill, since PFOA has not been regulated by the EPA. — VTDIGGER
Work requirement for Medicaid expansion looks doomed The day Gov. Maggie Hassan signed the bill extending Medicaid expansion for two years, the federal Health and Human Services secretary rejected the state of Arkansas’ work requirement, a key element in New Hampshire’s bill. – NH UNION LEADER
Senate OKs bill doubling cap on solar power sell-back The Senate agreed to double the amount of electricity solar panel owners may sell to utilities while telling regulators to develop a system that stops cost-shifting to other electric customers. – NH UNION LEADER
NH only New England state not on coalition to combat climate change Seventeen state attorneys general from across the country unveiled a coalition in New York last month aimed at combating climate change. New Hampshire was the only New England state missing from the list. – CONCORD MONITOR
Fairness, not free money, for utilities We shouldn’t have to overpay them just to help customers save energy. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW
Manchester VA medical director issues apology The director of the Manchester VA Medical Center apologized Thursday to veterans for scheduling issues at the facility included in a report released last week by the Veterans Affairs Inspector General. – NH UNION LEADER
Shipyard contributes $733m to economy The Seacoast Shipyard Association calculated the economic impact of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to be $732.7 million for the 2015 calendar year. – FOSTER’S DAILY DEMOCRAT
Berlin Planning Board approves Capone Iron site plan Berlin’s newest industrial company is finishing up an earlier renovation and now plans to add a 16,000-square foot-addition to the building it purchased last year at the city’s industrial park. – THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
NH High Tech Council disrupts Entrepreneur of the Year event In an effort to create an event that is “more inclusive and thought-provoking than ever before,” the NH High Tech Council is enhancing the format of its 28th annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award ceremony. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW
Developer fights $153k fee charged by Salem When voters rejected plans for a $23.4 million police and fire complex last year, the town decided it could no longer compel developers to pay public safety impact fees. – LAWRENCE EAGLE-TRIBUNE
New Whole Foods Market opens Friday in Bedford The 40,000-square-foot store was built on the former site of the Wayfarer Inn on South River Road. – WMUR-TV
Keene State employees vote to form unions After almost a year of organizing, three labor groups at Keene State College, totaling about 300 employees, voted to unionize Wednesday. – THE KEENE SENTINEL
O’Connor threatens defamation suit against Shea-Porter for alleged abuser whispering campaign The Democratic 1st District U.S. House primary battle between former U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and businessman Shawn O’Connor ramped up in intensity Thursday as O’Connor said he is preparing to sue Shea-Porter for defamation because her campaign “team” has engaged in a whispering campaign, accusing him of being a domestic abuser. – WMUR-TV
Worry, and mystery, after LePage says 900 layoffs coming in southern Maine The governor's spokesman declines to elaborate, and local and state officials say they are unaware of pending job losses. – PORTLAND PRESS HERALD
