Hassan: 'Our Hearts Are Heavy This Morning'

Gov. Maggie Hassan tells Portsmouth business leaders the state needs to be vigilant against potential threats.

Gov. Maggie Hassan said New Hampshire stands ready to help Massachusetts public safety officials with anything they need the day after two bombs exploded near the Boston Marathon finish line. Hassan also told Portsmouth business leaders the state needs to be on guard against any potential threats as the investigation into the Boston bombings continues. "I can tell you New Hampshire has obviously increased its safety efforts over the last few hours," Hassan told members of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel on Tuesday morning. “We are encouraging all citizens, if you see something, say something." Hassan said she is grateful that none of New Hampshire's citizens who participated in the …

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Senator Sanborn's Bills

The Commerce chairman has sponsored a number of business-related bills in 2013.

Sen. Andy Sanborn (R-Bedford) is a sponsor of these bills in the 2013 New Hampshire legislative session. Sanborn, a businessman, represents District 9. He is chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and he serves on the Capital Budget and Health, Education & Human Services Committee. Click here for his office and contact information. Senate Bill 44, AN ACT relative to the disposal of controlled drugs by law enforcement officers. This bill amends the procedure for disposal of controlled drugs in the possession of a law enforcement officer and makes the department of justice responsible for adopting rules for the pharmaceutical drug take-back program. Senate Bill 68, AN ACT relative to the escrow fund for court facility improvements. This …

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Local Job Openings

Employment opportunities include Fidelity financial rep, account manager at PC Connection, and '13M Multiple Rocket System Crew member' for the National Guard.

Win a Small Business Q&A on Bedford Patch

See your shop featured in one of our popular weekly 'business spotlight' posts!

Everybody at Patch loves local business! In honor of today, Small Business Saturday, we want to launch a new contest. It's a drawing, really ... sort of like dropping a virtual business card in a jar. Beginning this week, and moving forward, Bedford Patch will search through our list of claimed business listings in our Patch places directory. We'll randomly select one business each week and contact the business owner, manager, chef or other professional for a meet-the-owner-type question-and-answer session or an in-depth look at that business' roots in Bedford and what makes it special. All you have to do is "claim your FREE listing." The process takes only minutes and is sure to increase community awareness about your business. Read more …

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Business Owners, Claim Your Free Patch Listing Now! [VIDEO]

Business owners are encouraged to claim listings in Patch Places to better promote their business and inform Bedford Patch readers.

Everybody at Patch loves local business! Patch places is a spot where users can find descriptions, hours, accepted payment methods, and much more for spots around town. All users can add events taking place at local spots, can rate the business on a scale of one to five stars, and can add a review. But owners of local businesses get extra bonuses when they claim a listing. Owners or managers should search for their business listing and select "claim you listing" in order to make updates to the page. A form will pop up asking for your name, contact information, and proof of ownership. Within a few days, someone from Patch should contact you to verify your authenticity, and then you'll be approved as the business owner. Once approved, you'll…

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Bedford Town Fiscal Checkup

As of July comparing 2012 to 2011, revenue from building permits up 47 percent.

Bedford's monthly financial report shows that total general fund revenues, through July, are up nearly 7 percent compared to a year ago at that time. Building permits revenue through July 2012 was $138,726, up from $94,484 at the same time in 2011. Bedford collected $149,323 more in general fund revenues in the month of July this year than in July 2011, according to the monthly financials. Total general fund revenue through July 2012: $12,433,100.

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Bedford Means Business

Town sees growth, eyes future tax base. Should Bedford fund economic development position?

The town of Bedford issued 1,400 overall building permits in 2011 for an estimated combined value of $54,169,350 – with $36 million of that coming from new commercial projects. As of Monday, year-to-date, Bedford had issued 1,100 different permits, according to Code Official Wayne Richardson. A drive down South River Road will show off some of the economic development. It will also point to some areas ripe for revitalization, such as The Wayfarer property. The Bedford Business Resource Group, when it meets tonight at 7, will review some specific projects and its structure as an adjunct to the Town Council. The group's possible initiatives for 2012-2013, according to its agenda, include: Here is a chart based on building permits and their …

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New Hampshire Politics

OP/ED: Creating an Environment for Job Growth Is Working

Founder and Chair of the NH House Business Coalition talks NH economy, jobs.

By Laurie Sanborn and Bill Ohm Sure, it may not be sexy in today's politics.  It may not make the headlines every day like more controversial issues where inflammatory rhetoric captures headlines.  Sure, it can be dry, technical and difficult to explain in two sentences.  But some of us are focusing on it and it's working. As promised, many of us at the state house have been highly focused on passing bills which will improve the climate for job creation, cut red tape and allow for economic expansion.   Some of these bills may have missed your radar screen.  They certainly aren't controversial, especially creative, or revolutionary by themselves. But combined, we believe they make it substantially easier for our state's employers to conduct…

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BBB Commends Savvy Consumers

Formal business complaints down last year.

By Paula Fleming Consumer savvy, smart shopping and common sense all had a great year, according to Better Business Bureau. Consumers asked BBB for help more than 103 million times in 2011, up from 87 million in 2010 and the highest rate in the organization’s 100-year history. Conversely, filings of formal complaints against businesses were down across the U.S. and Canada; 927,000 in 2011 compared to just over one million in 2010. “That is terrific news, that’s what we want to see,” said Carrie A. Hurt, CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), the umbrella organization for the 116 BBBs across North America. “When consumers come to us first for information about businesses, they are much less likely to need our dispute …

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Bedford Small Business Tournament

POLL: Your Favorite Martial Arts/Dance Studio

Vote now in the Bedford Small Business Tourney!

So far in our "Readers' Choice, Readers' Voice" tournament, The Inside Scoop, Integrity Health Support for Women, Pizza Bella, Royal Bouquet and Beyond Basics Massage and Bodyworks have moved on. This week, it's time to vote for your favorite martial arts/dance studio. We've removed ATA Martial Arts Studio, since it won the last Bedford small business tourney. Today, we want to know which martial arts studio - such as Bedford Martial Arts Academy or Master An's Tae Kwon Do- or performing arts club - such as The Bedford Youth Performing Company - or dance studio - such as Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater or Bedford Dance Center - you deem tops in Bedford. The top vote-getter in this round moves on to the next round. Comments weighed in …

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