Manchester Development Corporation provides $500,000 loan to Roedel Companies for new hotel and conference center

Manchester, NH – The Manchester Development Corporation (MDC) recently closed on a $500,000 development loan to Germania Front, LLC, a joint venture partnership between Alta Properties and Roedel Companies - owners/operators of Manchester’s Hilton Garden Inn.  The loan will be used to help finance the construction and renovations of the former Clarion Hotel located on the Amoskeag traffic circle off I-293 Exit 6 into The Falls Center and La Quinta Inn and Suites.  The four-story hotel will feature approximately 109 rooms.  A one-story adjoining building will house a new restaurant along with 3,500-4,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.  

“The MDC loan provides the final financial piece needed to redevelop this property,” stated David Roedel, Partner of Roedel Companies. “This is a significant project in Manchester that will lead to job creation and the revitalization of a once prominent property that has been underutilized for years.  We appreciate MDC’s investment in this project and hope to partner with them again in the future.”  Renovations for The Falls Center and La Quinta Inn and Suites began in October and the hotel is scheduled to open in late February.

MDC is a nonprofit economic development arm of the City of Manchester whose mission is to promote the growth and prosperity of the City by investing in economic development projects and activities within Manchester.  “This is a perfect example of the type of development project MDC is looking to invest in and is at the core of our mission”, stated Newton Kershaw III, MDC Board President.  “We are always looking to form strategic partnerships that will lead to further development and job creation in Manchester.  We were excited for the opportunity to partner with the Roedel Companies and provide financial support to move this project forward.” 

MDC is staffed by the Manchester Economic Development Office (MEDO).  “The Falls Center and La Quinta Inn and Suites redevelopment project improves an important gateway onto the City while providing jobs, needed conference space and enhanced hotel accommodations” stated MEDO Director Jay Minkarah.  “The MDC is a valuable economic development tool for the City and we encourage individuals or companies looking to invest in development projects in Manchester to contact our office.”

Past MDC investments have helped finance the rehabilitation of important downtown landmarks such as the Chase Block, Dunlap Building and McQuades Building, as well as the recent expansion of Benefit Strategies on Elm Street.  MDC has also supported the City’s marketing efforts, the Revolving Loan Fund and several other important economic development, planning and infrastructure related initiatives.  

For more information on the Manchester Development Corporation please contact Jay Minkarah, Manchester Economic Development Office, at (603) 624-6505.  For information regarding Roedel Companies and the Falls Center project please visit http://roedelcompanies.com/ or http://www.whatsupatthefalls.com.  

Manchester - 2nd Annual Mayor's Small Business Awards

Manchester, NH – The Mayor’s Office and the Economic Development Office (MEDO) are accepting nominations for the 2^nd Annual Mayor’s Small Business Awards.  The Mayor’s Awards are part of Manchester Small Business Week presented by Citizens Bank.  Manchester Small Business Week (MSBW) will take place from Monday, May 21^st – Friday, May 25^th and will feature a full-week of programs and events geared to provide small business owners with the information and resources they need to be successful.  The Mayor’s Awards will honor Manchester small businesses in three separate categories: Growth, Innovation and Community Service.  Last year’s winners include, XMA Corp. (Growth), Liquid Health Labs (Innovation) and Print Savvy (Community Service).

“Manchester is home to thousands of small businesses, many of which are growing and  implementing innovative business practices that help their business succeed,” stated Mayor Ted Gatsas.  “ The Mayor’s Award allows the City to recognize these unique small businesses and the vital role they play in our local economy.”  

Two finalists from each category will be featured in New Hampshire Business Magazine and the award winners will be recognized at an Awards Recognition Breakfast on Friday, May 25^th at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. 

To nominate a company please visit www.yourmanchesternh.com/ and click on Small Business Week for a nomination form.  Nominations will be accepted through Monday, February 27^th. 

MSBW is made possible through the support of our presenting sponsor, Citizens Bank, and our supporting sponsors, Devine Millimet, Anagnost Companies, Millennium Integrated Marketing, Printer’s Square and New Hampshire Business Magazine. 

For more information about Manchester Small Business Week or to find out how  you can get  involved, please contact Chris Wellington, Economic Development Office, at 603-624-6505 or visit http://www.yourmanchesternh.com/smallbusinessweek.

New Media Firm Hynes Communications Hires Senior VP, Expands for 2012

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., January 12, 2012-- Hynes Communications, the nation’s leading new media public affairs agency headquartered in New Hampshire, announced it has hired two new team members and promoted a third. Leonardo Alcivar has accepted the role of Senior Vice President of Public Affairs; Andrew Clark joins the team as a Strategic Partner and Account Executive; and Amelia Chasse has been promoted to Senior Account Service Director.

Based in Boston, Alcivar will lead the agency’s Public Affairs department. In addition to developing and evaluating top-line strategy for meeting client deliverables, Alcivar will assume responsibility for online communications staff management and recruitment, and play a key role in the performance and profitability of the agency. Alcivar has been running national and statewide communications campaigns for more than ten years, most recently he served as Communications Director for Bill Brady's gubernatorial campaign in Illinois, and consultant to the Republican Governors Association. In 2004’s successful re-election of President George W. Bush, Alcivar served the Republican National Committee as Press Secretary for the Republican National Convention in New York City, and later as Field Director in Miami, Florida.  Alcivar began his career with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, first as Deputy Press Secretary to the Mayor, then as Director of Press Operations at the New York City Police Department.   He subsequently served as a Manager of Public Affairs for Burson-Marsteller. 

Clark is a social media specialist who will help Hynes clients assess the virtual landscape, reach target audiences online, and utilize rapid response strategies to help clients drive messages. A native of Southern California, Clark is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in media and public affairs at the George Washington University, where he also achieved his undergraduate degrees in political communication and public policy.  Prior to accepting his role at Hynes, Clark previously worked at CRAFT | Media/Digital, Engage, and served in the John McCain 2008 presidential campaign war room. Writing as a conservative columnist for the G.W. Hatchet throughout his college tenure, he also has contributed pieces to Campaigns & Elections, Politics Daily, and The Daily Caller.

A veteran of political campaigns at the state and national levels, Chasse began working for Hynes during the summer of 2010 as an account executive serving clients across multiple industries and working collaboratively with the Hynes team in all phases of account management. Her ability to communicate with senior level clients and advanced-level writing skills and new media relations, earned her a promotion to Senior Account Director. In her new role she will be responsible for uncovering new media outlets and placement opportunities for Hynes clients and continually aid in improving the firm’s research, analysis, and reporting. Chasse is based at Hynes headquarter offices in New Hampshire.
                  
About Hynes Communications
Hynes Communications is the nation’s premier agency focused on new media and online communications strategy for public affairs clients.  Founded by Patrick Hynes and Paul Young in 2006, the Hynes team comprises the brightest minds and most successful operatives working in this space. Hynes serves a diverse group of clients ranging from candidates for national public office to major trade associations and corporations facing significant legislative and regulatory issues. Hynes offers a focused, aggressive approach to new media strategy, the foundation of which comes from our extensive experience, creativity and passion.

For more  information visit www.HynesCommunications.com.

US Rep Bass Supports Legislation to Reduce Burdensome Federal Regulations on Small Businesses

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) supported legislation in the House of Representatives this afternoon that will reduce the excessive and burdensome federal regulations that stifle economic growth among New Hampshire’s and the nation’s top job creators – small businesses.

The Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (H.R. 527) passed the House by a vote of 263 to 159 late this afternoon.

Bass said:

“Small businesses across New Hampshire and the nation spend thousands of dollars and huge amounts of time every year to comply with federal regulations that are often times unnecessary, redundant, or confusing.  These regulations inhibit economic growth by discouraging small businesses to grow and create new jobs in the process.  Today’s legislation will bring greater transparency to the federal regulatory process and eliminate the “one-size-fits-all” regulations that disproportionately affect our nation’s job creators, helping to get people back to work.”

Specifically, the legislation passed today modifies the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 to close loopholes and ensure that federal agencies fully analyze the impact a new regulation would have on small businesses before the agency adopts the regulation.  The bill also ensures small businesses have a voice in the regulatory process by enhancing the Small Business Administration’s ability to help shape major rules. 

“Bringing more accountability to the federal rulemaking process is a top priority for small businesses, and passing the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act is critical to that effort,” said NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner. “Continuing to hamper the country’s biggest job creators with punishing new rules is the last thing government agencies should be doing during these tough economic times. This bill improves transparency and gives small businesses a greater stake in the regulatory process, and I thank Congressman Bass for his vote in support of these common-sense reforms.”

The legislation now awaits action in the Senate.

http://bass.house.gov

Bettencourt remarks at NH Grocers Association Press Conference

Press Conference this morning announcing new initiatives and a discussion of current economic trends regarding New Hampshire tourism and cross border sales.

Good morning and that you all for joining us this morning:

Today is about promoting the New Hampshire Advantage and its critical role in our state revenue system. It is an advantage that those of us who represent boarder communities know very well. This legislature understood and respected that our cross boarder advantage presents us with a budgetary tool and we put that into practice in our budget.

Let’s be very clear, at this time overall state revenues are not sagging behind projection. In fact, we are currently running a surplus over $10 million. However, our economy is far from out of the woods and we must remain vigilant. But we took several steps this legislative session to sharpen our cross boarder advantage because we know it is part of the solution in strengthening our economy.

It is well known that this budget cut the tobacco tax by 10 cents, but that wasn’t all that we did to sharpen our advantage, as Speaker O’Brien referenced. For communities like Windham and Salem, which I have the honor to represent, successful efforts to eliminate the lottery winnings tax and the rooms and meals fee reduction were critical. We also passed 43 pieces of legislation that deregulated our small businesses. Saying that small businesses, such as grocers, are the back bone of our economy must be more than a nice campaign slogan. Rather it is a philosophy to be governed on and we are doing just that.

All of this will have a positive impact on our economy and is already leading to job creation. In fact, just this month we are seeing the impact of the Republican pro-growth initiatives bringing confidence to both employers and workers. More than  2,200 New Hampshire citizens were able to find jobs this month, helping the working families across the state.  What’s more important is that almost 2,000 residents decided to get off the sidelines and join the labor force, showing that they are betting on a brighter future for our economy. We need to make sure that government is not a barrier to growing our economy

I do want to take a moment to debunk a myth that is being promoted by the critics of this budget. The idea that the tobacco tax cut was made at the expense of other services or caused budget cuts to be deeper is ludicrous. Budget writers moved forward with this tax cut on the basis of several economic studies that established that cutting this tax would produce greater revenue but the worst case scenario being that it would be revenue neutral. This is important for the public to remember as critics attempt to spread misinformation about this budget.

Additionally, while there has been a rush to note that tobacco revenue has lagged behind projections thus far, I remind everyone that this is a two year budget and we are less than 5 months into it. There is a long way to go and to say that this tax cut has not worked out at this early juncture of the budget is unwise and I would suggest is partisan politically motivated.

This legislature is focused, and will remain focused, on our economy and getting our citizens back to work. Some have suggested that raising taxes or implementing a sales or income tax is the only answer. We reject that kind of lazy legislating.  Our taxpayers and our economy simply cannot afford it. Instead, we made difficult but responsible spending reductions and found innovative cost savings.

Those of us in the I-93 corridor can appreciate that we put out an “open for business” sign on our state and are putting our citizens back to work by fostering a prosperous business-friendly atmosphere. We must become a magnet for new, relocating, or expanding businesses. We will continue to do this by seeking to cut taxes that affect the New Hampshire Advantage and scale back expensive mandates that have hurt the ability for businesses to thrive here.

These are the areas that this legislature has been focused and these are the areas we will remain focused.

Thank you for joining us this morning.