NH Gets A+ In Small Business Friendliness Survey
Alabama, Utah, and Idaho also got top marks. See how the other New England states stack up!
- Source: Thumbtack
Amanda Loder
Multi-Platform Reporter
Amanda Loder joined StateImpact New Hampshire following four years of reporting and hosting at Spokane Public Radio in Washington State. She earned a Master's degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University, where she dabbled in both commercial and public media. Amanda is originally from Iowa.
- Email: aloder@nhpr.org
“Drop-Off In Road And Bridge Projects Dampens N.H.’s Future Construction Picture”
Even with residential and non-residential construction on the rise, the decline in transportation projects seems to be a drag on the sector.
- Source: Nhbr
From Black Gold To Green Economy: Long-Time Entrepreneur Talks New Markets
Amanda Loder / StateImpact New Hampshire
Steve Owens is making his third foray into energy-related entrepreneurship.
It’s been three years since the Green Launching Pad initiative was started at the University of New Hampshire with $1.5 million in federal stimulus money. The goal of the project was to fund and support the state’s most promising, eco-friendly start-ups, and enhance New Hampshire’s green economy in the long term. Under federal rules, the GLP was required to use all of the money by last spring. While the program is raising money to privatize, it’s been a year since it has handed out any grants. Last week, we checked-in with the Green Launching Pad itself, and one of its biggest success stories, Portsmouth-based Revolution Energy.
Revolution Energy has the feel of a new start-up–young environmentalists-turned-businessmen wearing the jeans, t-shirts, and hoodies that have become visual short-hand for 21st century innovation culture. But an hour’s drive southwest takes you to a very different, but no less successful, Green Launching Pad company. EnerTrac in Hudson has seen dramatic growth since winning a $20,000 GLP grant in the first round of funding. With more than 20 years of experience with start-ups, and wearing a dark sport coat, EnerTrac founder and CEO Steve Owens fits more into the classic mold of of an entrepreneur. A few months ago, he moved his company into permanent office space at a nondescript business park. Inside, the business looks ready to expand, with its white walls, open floor space, and rack of promotional t-shirts hanging up behind the reception desk. Continue Reading
Three Years Later: The Progress And Challenges Of The Green Launching Pad
Amanda Loder / StateImpact New Hampshire
Despite the challenges the GLP faces, Project Director Venky Venkatachalam is optimistic about the program's future.
A taxpayer-funded eco-business program is paying off for New Hampshire. The Green Launching Pad at the University of New Hampshire has given grants to more than a dozen start-ups in the state. But it hasn’t awarded any new funds since last year.
But the scene at the statehouse last winter was one of optimism for a cadre of entrepreneurs and their supporters. The Green Launching Pad was awarding its companies federal money. Over the course of two years, the program got $1.5 million in stimulus funding to give out to the most promising green start-ups in the state. Then-Governor John Lynch was optimistic about the program’s future even as the federal funds were drying up. Continue Reading
Renewable Energy Entrepreneur Talks Benefits, Challenges Of Going Green In N.H.
Amanda Loder / StateImpact New Hampshire
The crew at Revolution Energy are behind one of the Green Launching Pad's biggest success stories. (From left: Co-founder Mike Behrmann, Chief Scientific Officer Jon Spencer, and Co-founder Clay Mitchell.)
This week, StateImpact will be checking-in on the progress of the University of New Hampshire‘s Green Launching Pad initiative. Begun in 2010 with $1.5 million in federal stimulus money, the GLP’s goal is to provide seed money, UNH faculty business expertise, and student interns to entrepreneurs in the state’s growing green sectors.
One of the Green Launching Pad’s biggest success stories has been Portsmouth-based Revolution Energy. While the company started in 2008, it didn’t really start taking off until 2010. That’s when it received a competitive $60,000 grant from the GLP in the initiative’s first round of funding. In a lot of ways, Revolution Energy looks and feels a lot like a classic start-up. At the office, the team wears casual clothes, and the decor alternates between Dungeons and Dragons classic geek-chic and internet-age irony.
Good humor, hoodies and 20-sided dice aside, sustainability is serious business for the crew at Revolution Energy. Continue Reading
Hassan Pitches Casino During Budget Address
Alan Cleaver / Flickr Creative Commons
Hassan's budget gambles on New Hampshire allowing one, high-end casino to set up shop in the state
Governor Maggie Hassan used her budget address to propose a new, high-end casino.
Governor Hassan’s budget banks on this casino generating $80 million in licensing fees. And she said the state is already dealing with the social costs of gambling allowed in other states, without benefiting from the revenue.
Continue ReadingGovernor’s Budget Expands Public Safety Funding
Scott Davidson / Flickr Creative Commons
Like many services with state funding, law enforcement took some hits in the last budget
Calling public safety “our most important responsibility,” Governor Maggie Hassan outlined her funding proposals in today’s budget address. Comparing public safety to the state’s health care system, Hassan said it had taken “too many hits” in the last budget. She called on legislators to “reverse course” immediately, in the interest of keeping New Hampshire residents safe.
- Governor's Budget Expands Public Safety FundingHassan lists law enforcement and the court system among her prioritiesDownload
“In Budget, Hassan Lays Out Priorities”
Higher ed, health care, and transportation are among the new governor’s funding priorities.
- Source: Nhpr
Hassan Makes Case For Raising Cigarette Tax
Larding / Flickr Creative Commons
Hassan wants to raise the cigarette tax above its original level
Governor Maggie Hassan is looking to raise New Hampshire’s cigarette tax. In her state budget address, she pitched a 30-cent increase as good public health policy.
“New Hampshire has the highest youth smoking rate in the Northeast, with 19.8 percent of high school students who smoke cigarettes,” Hassan said. “Cigarette taxes nationwide have proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent youth smoking.” Continue Reading
Carroll’s Departure Stuns LGC Critics And Supporters
Amanda Loder / StateImpact New Hampshire
A number of people involved in the LGC case expressed shock at Carroll's dismissal.
Over the past several months, StateImpact has been keeping up with the various twists and turns in the Local Government Center case. The latest development–the ouster of Executive Director Maura Carroll by the LGC board–has shocked the organization’s supporters and critics alike.
This week, I called some of the players in this ongoing saga to get their reaction to Carroll’s sudden departure, and discussed them with NHPR’s All Things Considered host Brady Carlson.
You can catch our conversation, or read the transcript, after the jump.