Eversource is pleased to announce a partnership with Manchester Community College, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals 104 and 1837 that will create a certificate program for men and women who are interested in pursuing a career as an electrical system lineworker.

This is great news for our state economy and for the continued reliability of the electric system in our communities. This certificate program will launch in January 2017, and will include classroom instruction and on-the-job training that will help provide jobs for New Hampshire citizens while meeting the urgent need for a new generation of skilled lineworkers.

Successful certificate program candidates will help build and maintain reliable energy solutions for today and the future, and will have the knowledge to understand advanced technologies that increasingly integrate with our residential, commercial, and industrial electric systems.

For more information go to: www.eversource.com/content/nh/about/news-room/new-hampshire/newspost?Group=new-hampshire&Post=eversource-announces-electrical-lineworker-certificate-program and
www.mccnh.edu/news/item/2248-mcc-eversource-lineworker-certificate-program.

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to New Hampshire! They plan to film episodes of
the hit series AMERICAN PICKERS throughout the region this fall.

AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking’ on
History. The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for
America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the
interesting stories behind them.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle and rescue
forgotten relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items.
The pair hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about
America’s past along the way.

Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something
they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.
AMERICAN PICKERS is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone
you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better
part of the day looking through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the
collection with photos to:
americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-old-rust.

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Friday, September 09, 2016

SafeWise released its 30 Safest Cities to Raise a Child on June 27, 2016. To compile this report, SafeWise analyzed FBI violent crime data, sex offender populations, state graduation rates, and school rankings, and also factored in after-school programs and open spaces. All cities awarded have a population of 10,000 or greater.

Who is SafeWise? SafeWise is a home security and safety brand committed to increasing safety education, awareness, and preparedness in American communities. SafeWise has been recognized by The Huffington Post, AngiesList, Mashable, and Homes.com for their home security brand comparisons and Safest Cities Reports. Visit your state’s SafeWise State Safety Report to see where your city stacks up.

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Sunday, July 03, 2016

LACONIA, NH— The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association is pleased to announce the recent launch of their brand new website, www.LaconiaMCWeek.com, developed by New Hampshire-based web design and digital marketing firm Danconia Media. Every June, an influx of motorcycle enthusiasts floods the Lakes Region for the World’s Oldest Motorcycle Rally. This beloved event brings a plethora of tourism to the state, great for local businesses and the local economy. Two months shy of the rally, the site launch comes at a perfect time, as motorcycle enthusiasts start preparing for the 93rd Anniversary celebration.

With a brand new user-friendly website, it’s now easier than ever for tourists to plan their trip to New Hampshire for bike week. Upon visiting the site, viewers are greeted with a countdown to opening day on the homepage. From the main navigation, users can peruse a full schedule of events, information on where to stay, and more. Viewable day-by-day, big events are even highlighted in the daily summaries for easy access and convenience while a full schedule is also displayed for each day.

One of the biggest changes to the site is the new nod to the rally’s long historical legacy. With an array of
historic photos and a new history section explaining the rally’s heritage, visitors are reminded just how wonderful this tradition is to the State of NH. By combining these photos with modern images, the site design bridges the past and the present.

Andy George of Hot Leathers, Inc., a presenting sponsor of the rally, says, “Laconia Motorcycle Week’s new website looks great! Their giant beautiful pictures fit perfectly in their creative and responsive layouts. We can’t stop surfing the site and finding more pictures and stories we’d never even seen or heard before!” In a similar vein, Olivia Wright Bragdon of the Thunder in the Valley rally in Johnstown, PA says the new website is a “visual masterpiece” and has “everything a user would want in a website.”

Being the world’s oldest motorcycle rally, it was critical that the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association pay tribute to this amazing history while also capitalizing on modern technology. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from motorcycle enthusiasts and corporate sponsors shows that the association has succeeded in creating a site that not only has exciting design elements but is also user-friendly.
Laconia Motorcycle Week Association coordinates this nationally-recognized event that brings people together to celebrate New Hampshire’s motorcycle history and culture. Both the rally’s heritage and current popularity are celebrated in the new website. Along with increased functionality, easier usability, and exciting design elements, people can stay connected to all that is happening during Laconia Motorcycle Week better than ever. Visit the new site at: laconiamcweek.com.

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Sunday, May 22, 2016

In 2015, Eversource and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) created the Partners for New Hampshire’s Fish and Wildlife program. It is dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy forests and rivers in New Hampshire.

In March, NFWF issued a request for proposals for 2016 Partners for New Hampshire’s Fish and Wildlife grants via the New England Forests and Rivers Fund. This is the second round of grants made available through this program. The intent is to expand upon the good work begun in 2015. Over $1.7 million was contributed to local conservation organizations which tackled nine restoration and conservation projects across New Hampshire. Their collective efforts restored 111 miles of streams and 170 acres of early succession forest, and rectified 10 barriers to fish passage. (Please see the attached Annual Report for more information.)

Eversource's Northern Pass Transmission LLC subsidiary committed $3 million to the partnership in 2015. Partners for New Hampshire’s Fish and Wildlife has committed $800,000 of this money to fund this year’s grants. These funds, combined with funding from federal partners, has resulted in approximately $1.9 million in grant funding available to organizations and municipalities in 2016. Proposals are due May 19. The full RFP can be found here.

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Monday, May 02, 2016

SBA is happy to announce that we are able to provide the Emerging Leaders Program to a select group of New Hampshire businesses. The Emerging Leaders initiative provides an intensive training opportunity to small business owners/executives. This is an intensive and highly valuable opportunity that we are able to provide at no cost to the participant businesses. In brief:

The Emerging Leaders program will be offered this year in New Hampshire to help increase growth opportunities for small businesses. This program provides participants with the new knowledge, know-how and connections to help them grow their businesses, create jobs, and strengthen their communities. This innovative program is an intense 7-month program that offers approximately 100 hours of training per participant and provides the opportunity for small business owners to work with experienced professionals and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities. Over 2,500 small business owners around the country have completed the program.

This training is for established business owners and is not for start-ups or people who are thinking about starting a business. The Emerging Leaders advanced training series is open to small business owners and executives that:
· Have annual revenues of at least $400,000
· Have been in business for at least 3 years
· Have at least one employee, other than self
· Are ready for business growth: Time commitment of the business owner, or executive "decision-maker", to dedicate themselves to attend all 13 classes and develop a strategic growth plan (a 100+ hour commitment)

This opportunity is open to businesses anywhere in the state. Eligible/interested businesses can contact us or apply online at https://www.interise.org/sbaemergingleaders.

SBA’s partner in this venture is Interise (see www.interise.org). At present we have an active search for instructors to deliver the curriculum: Job Description: StreetWise Steps™ Instructor.

You can read more about Emerging Leaders by visiting https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-initiatives/sba-emerging-leaders-initiative, or feel free to contact me or Amy Bassett at 603-225-1606 or amy.bassett@sba.gov.

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Monday, February 15, 2016

On Dec. 28, the IRS extended the due dates for new health care information reporting forms in 2016. Insurers, self-insuring employers, other coverage providers, and applicable large employers now have additional time to provide health coverage information for 2015 to individual taxpayers and the IRS. The IRS is prepared to accept filings of the information returns beginning in January 2016. However, providers and certain employers must now furnish individuals with either Form 1095-B or 1095-C by March 31, 2016. While the due dates for issuers filing these forms and the associated Form 1094 with the IRS are May 31, 2016 for paper filers and June 30, 2016 for electronic filers, employers and other coverage providers are encouraged to furnish statements and file the information returns as soon as they are ready.

Due to these extensions, some individual taxpayers may not receive a Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C by the time they are ready to file their 2015 tax return.
While the information on these forms may assist in preparing a return, they are not required.
Like last year, taxpayers can prepare and file their returns using other information about their health insurance.
Individuals do not have to wait for their Form 1095-B or 1095-C in order to file.
The IRS has not extended the due dates for Health Insurance Marketplaces to issue Form 1095-A. Individuals who enrolled for coverage through the Marketplace should receive Form 1095-A by February 1, 2016 and should wait to file their returns until the receive their Form 1095-A.

The IRS has posted a set of questions and answers that introduce the new Forms 1095-B and 1095-C. The questions and answers explain who should expect to receive the forms, how they can be used, and how to file with or without the forms.

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Thursday, January 28, 2016

Small businesses should get their blank Wage and Tax Statements forms early

Don’t wait until the last minute to get blank Forms W-2, W-3 or 1099. The demand for paper tax products is declining because of an increase in e-filing and the availability of products online. Due to the decreased demand and printing and shipping costs, the IRS will no longer stock Forms W-2, W-3 and 1099 in Taxpayer Assistance Centers. The forms, which are used by small business owners, can be ordered online or by telephone and mailed directly to the taxpayer’s home or business address.

To order online, go to the IRS’ Online Ordering for Information Returns and Employer Returns website at: https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Online-Ordering-for-Information-Returns-and-Employer-Returns

To order by phone, call the IRS at: 1-800-829-3676.

The Social Security Administration also offers an online option to create and file electronic Forms W-2. File Forms W-2/W-2c and W-3/W-3c electronically by visiting the Social Security Administration’s Employer Reporting Instructions and Information website at: https://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/ to create and file electronic fill-in versions of Forms W-2 and W-3.

Wednesday, January 06, 2016