Small Business Day at State House set

New Hampshire small-business owners and managers will have an opportunity to hear directly from and talk with Gov. John Lynch and the state’s other top elected leaders at the third annual Small Business Day at the State House, set for Feb. 12 in Concord.

The event – hosted by the Business and Industry Association, New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, and local and regional chambers of commerce – is designed to engage small businesses in public policy discussion and debate, and give them a chance to ask lawmakers how they will attempt to resolve issues that affect them.

The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the New Hampshire Historical Society’s Tuck Library in Concord.

Sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review, Small Business Day at the State House will begin with a panel discussion with the state’s elected leaders, followed by questions from the audience.

Participating on the panel – which will focus specifically on the top small-business issues of 2008 — will be Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Senate Republican Leader Ted Gatsas, House Republican Leader Mike Whalley and House Commerce Committee Chair Tara Reardon.

Two workshops will complete the morning program.

During the first, panelists will outline higher-education resources for small businesses, including business outreach programs, internships and other entrepreneurship programs designed to help small businesses succeed. Panelists include: Taylor Eighmy, interim vice president for research, University of New Hampshire; Helen Giles-Gee, president, Keene State College; Tom Horgan, president and chief executive of the New Hampshire College and University Council; and Robert E. “Skip” Myers, president of Daniel Webster College. Mary Collins, state director of the SBDC, will moderate the panel.

The second workshop will feature demographer Peter Francese discussing his upcoming documentary, “Communities and Consequences,” which explores the consequences of policies at the state and municipal levels that favor age-restricted housing and retirees over workers and affordable workforce housing.

The program will conclude with remarks from Governor Lynch.

Attendees can then enjoy a light lunch and networking session to which key state legislators have been invited. After lunch, attendees may have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with legislators to discuss particular legislative issues.

Local chambers participating in the event are being encouraged to set up meetings between their small business members and lawmakers from their area, BIA President Jim Roche said.

Cost to attend Small Business Day at the State House is $20 per person and includes a continental breakfast and light lunch. To register, call 603-224-5388, ext. 116, or visit www.acteva.com/go/nhbia.