Weekly Newsletter
SAVE THE DATES
  • Scholarship Fund Pancake Breakfast - Saturday, April 11th
  • Scholarship Applications Open January 21st
  • Career & Community Connections Fair - May 1st
  • Table registration coming soon
  • Auction Gala - Saturday, May 30th
  • Sponsorship Opportunities available HERE
  • Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off - Saturday, October 3rd
  • Sponsorship & Exhibitor information coming soon

Please email Elyse with any questions and to reserve your sponsorship level.
Chamber Member News & Events
SHS Alumni Newsletter Advertising Opportunity
Invitation for Bids - Food Service Equipment
Sullivan County NH government has released the attached  Invitation for Bids  for  Food Service Equipment , with proposals due no later than Friday, January 17, at 1:00 pm. This request for proposal, as well as any updates/addendums, may be viewed on the County's website . Questions regarding the request for proposal may be directed to the Sullivan County Department of Corrections Superintendent, David A Berry or via T. (603) 542-8717 Ext. 435.
Upper Valley Farms & Businesses Invited to
Small Business Marketing Workshops
Vital Communities invites local small businesses and farms to attend one of three upcoming digital marketing workshops presented by Insights Marketing Solutions. Workshop participants are then eligible for reduced-price one-on-one marketing consultation from Insights Marketing thanks to funding from a Rural Business Development Grant from USDA Rural Development.
 
The workshops, which will cover the same material in three different locations, are scheduled for Thursday, January 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Space on Main in Bradford; Monday, January 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Arnold Block in Bethel; and Tuesday, January 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kilton Public Library in West Lebanon. The workshops are free to Local First members and $15 for non-member businesses.
 
The workshops are hosted by Vital Communities’  Local First  program, which works to strengthen the local Upper Valley economy. In the workshops, business leaders will learn to transform their ideas into effective marketing that drives action and sales. Insights Marketing owner Kim Dixon will walk participants through 10 steps to identify the most effective approach to their marketing plans. Participants will receive printed resources and have plenty of time for questions and networking.
 
For more information and to register, visit  http://bit.ly/37NLouQ .
Invitation for Bids - Planetary Mixer
Sullivan County NH government has released the attached  Invitation for Bids  for a  Planetary Mixer , with proposals due no later than Friday, January 24, at 2:00 pm. This request for proposal, as well as any updates/addendums, may be viewed on the County's website . Questions regarding the request for proposal may be directed to the Sullivan County Dietary Services Director, Shannon Brickey or via T. (603) 542-9511 Ext. 218.
Claremont Opera House Launches 2020 Membership Campaign
The Claremont Opera House launched a fresh approach to membership for the 2020 calendar year. The objectives of the new membership campaign are to offer members unique benefits, to fund a series of fun pop-up events for smaller audiences, and to introduce new patrons to the COH. Members will be more engaged with special programming for them, while they continue to support the ongoing operations and maintenance of the historic opera house. 
 
The 2020 membership fee structure is $100 for Silver members and $250 for Gold members. Benefits to ALL members include: 
  • Two free tickets to the kickoff Jazz Speakeasy on January 18th. 
  • Access to the historic Ladies Parlor for concessions during the intermission of selected shows. 
  • Chances to win ticket giveaways for regular season shows. 
  • Ability to purchase tickets prior to them going on sale to the public. 
  • Listed on the Membership Wall of Fame. 
In addition to these benefits, Gold members will receive two free tickets to EVERY pop-up event.
 
Pop-up events will provide experiences that are more than just coming to watch a show. For the Speakeasy, attendees can only enter through a back door to the Opera House and they must know the password (access also available via the elevator). There will be beer/wine service, and other surprises are in progress. All while listening to a live jazz quintet from Gerry Grimo and the East Bay Jazz. A Valentine matinee of Sinatra favorites is planned for February, and a folk music concert with live art is in the works for April. Future pop-ups will be based on member input and preferences. Pop-up tickets will also be on sale to the general public for $15 each. 
 
More details about the membership program are available on the COH website and questions can be emailed here .
Places we LOVE in
Sullivan County
Choose your favorite outdoor place, building, restaurant, business or historical site. Any place where others can visit is perfect to share. Use your smart phone to snap a photo, then visit bit.ly/LoveSullivan to upload and describe what makes it special to you!
Community News & Events
NEWPORT Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center
Open House
The Newport Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center is hosting an open house from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 243 N. Main Street, Newport, NH 03773. Come for tours, demonstrations, and raffle prizes. The evening will feature tours of all SRVRTC programs including Automotive, Business, Cosmetology, Health Sciences & LNA, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pre-Engineering, Video Production & Broadcasting, and Welding.
 
Check out SRVRTC on Facebook and their website srvrtc.sau43.org
Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available
Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in  New Hampshire  as a result of the extreme cold, temperature fluctuations and winterkill from Dec. 1, 2018 through April 20, 2019. The loans are available in the following counties: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford and Sullivan in  New Hampshire.
 
Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers. The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of  3.74  percent for small businesses and  2.75  percent for private nonprofit organizations of all sizes, with terms up to 30 years. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
 
Assistance with constructing financial statements and applying for these economic injury disaster loans is available for free from any of SBA’s Resource Partners including counselors from the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) throughout the country. To find the nearest location, visit:  find your local SBDC .

Upper Valley Land Trust - Corporate Volunteer Program
The Upper Valley Land Trust has an exciting opportunity to offer Upper Valley businesses and employees! Now in its second year of operation, the Corporate Volunteer Program puts your employees to work in the community, volunteering with our local environmental nonprofit to make a difference socially and ecologically. This offering is designed to provide an opportunity for your Upper Valley business to spend time volunteering in the outdoors and strengthen bonds between your team members. This program will benefit your business in many ways:
 
·         Engaging employees in team building activities in a beautiful environment outside of the typical workplace
·         Involving your group with our local social and natural communities
·         Providing a philanthropy opportunity for a business and its employees
·         Reenergizing and resetting a team dynamic before diving back into work projects
 
We are ready to create a volunteer experience tailored to the needs of your company! Contact Paul Blazevich ( (603) 643-6626 x 201) for program offerings, more information on CVP, or to begin customizing your own volunteer experience. UVLT’s current project offerings for CVP are attached below, which also includes program logistics and a recommended packing list for participants.
 
The Upper Valley Land Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, committed to preserving natural areas, working farmlands, and priority habitat so residents and visitors alike can enjoy the scenic landscapes that make the Upper Valley so special.
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