New Hampshire's Business News for Aug. 18

A look at today's top business headlines, including: 20 NH companies on 2016 Inc. 5000; Massachusetts ruling threatens New England pipeline project; Aetna warned it would drop out of Obamacare exchanges if its merger was blocked; Dover firm lands $150m contract with Massachusetts; Pittsburg food pantry closes, as organizers struggle to find new home

20 New Hampshire companies on 2016 Inc. 5000 Led by Londonderry-based Highland Project Logistics, 20 New Hampshire companies have been named to Inc. magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the United States. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

Massachusetts ruling threatens New England pipeline project  The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled against the state’s Department of Public Utilities’ requirement that electricity customers help subsidize construction of private gas pipelines. The court said private companies should bear all the financial risks. – PORTLAND PRESS HERALD

Natural gas firms seek time to talk  Two companies proposing to build natural gas distribution facilities in Lebanon have asked the Public Utilities Commission to hold off a review of their projects because of ongoing talks between them. – VALLEY NEWS

Merrimack residents can petition for stricter PFOA standards  Officials were told this week that if residents want Merrimack Village District to implement stricter contamination thresholds for the public water supply, a petition warrant article should be sought. – NH UNION LEADER

Aetna warned it would drop out of Obamacare exchanges if its merger was blocked  A letter obtained by the Huffington Post through the Freedom of Information Act shows that the company's chief executive clearly explained to Justice Department officials in early July that if the merger were to be challenged or blocked, "we would need to take immediate actions to mitigate public exchange and ACA small group losses." – WASHINGTON POST

NH residential real estate sales, inventory fall in July  Year-over-year sales of single-family homes in New Hampshire fell in July as median prices continued to rise, according to the NH Association of Realtors. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

Construction industry growth seen through 2017  Economists from three of the biggest construction-related trade organizations in the country are predicting continued growth for the U.S. construction industry in 2017. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

Measured Progress lands $150m contract with Massachusetts  A Dover, NH, company has been awarded a $150 million contract by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide online testing to students throughout the state. – FOSTER’S DAILY DEMOCRAT

Red Arrow Diner proposed for Loudon Road could be a late-night first for Concord  An application submitted to Concord’s planning board proposes razing one of two adjacent gas stations on Loudon Road and replacing it with an all-night diner. – CONCORD MONITOR

Pittsburg food pantry closes, as organizers struggle to find new home  A program that organizers say was a critical lifeline for low-income residents of New Hampshire’s northernmost towns has closed. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Pease airport gets $500k for bathrooms, security  The Pease Development Authority was awarded more than a half-million dollars, through a grant, to renovate public bathrooms and segregate air passengers for screening. — PORTSMOUTH HERALD

Lawyer: Circus to fight charges in Lancaster tent collapse  The attorney for Walker International Events told a judge Wednesday that his client intends to plead not guilty to all charges in connection with circus tent collapse at the Lancaster Fairgrounds that killed a father and his young daughter last year. – NH UNION LEADER

Windham native co-creates app focused on atmosphere, ambiance of restaurants What's the best place to dine in Boston? – LAWRENCE EAGLE-TRIBUNE

Two candidates for N.H.’s 2nd Congressional District debate  Not much separates state Rep. Jack Flanagan of Brookline and former state representative Jim Lawrence of Hudson on the issues; both men said cutting government spending and business taxes and making Social Security solvent would be a top priority if they were elected to Congress. – CONCORD MONITOR

Guinta's most recent financial disclosure raises questions  U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta is claiming the “Guinta Family Fund” as a major asset, an account valued at between $250,000 and $500,000, on his 2015 financial disclosure statement. An FEC conciliation agreement required Guinta to amend reports “to reflect that the funds at issue were obtained from the accounts held in Guinta’s parents’ names.” – NH UNION LEADER

Kuster working with FBI after hackers access Democrats' data  New Hampshire Congresswoman Annie Kuster says hackers may have accessed her personal information as part of a breach that targeted the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Lamontagne chairs new conservative advocacy group  The well-known conservative politician and lawyer is behind Granite Action, a 501 (c)(4) advocacy group that launched on Wednesday. – NH1

NH man expected to plead guilty to federal charges related to Nevada standoff  Gerald “Jerry” DeLemus of Rochester is expected to plead guilty next week to federal charges connected to his role in the 2014 armed standoff with federal authorities at Cliven Bundy’s ranch in Nevada. – NH UNION LEADER

NHBR Featured job listing: Sales Support Manager  McLean Communications is looking for a highly motivated and organized individual who will assist in both revenue generating and sales functions.