ROCHESTER, NH – HRCU is pleased to announce that Ginger Gagne has been hired as their new Vice President of Lending. Gagne will be managing all Real Estate and Consumer Lending operations for HRCU.

Gagne brings over 28 years of valuable lending experience to HRCU from New Hampshire based, Northway Bank, with her most recent role being Vice President of Retail Loan Operations.

“We are very pleased to have someone of Ginger’s qualifications and lending experience join HRCU. Our loan portfolios have grown year over year and to have someone that can help take us to the next level is very exciting. Solidifying our lending operations will help us achieve many initiatives we have planned for this year and beyond”, said HRCU President & CEO Brian Hughes.

Gagne is a graduate of Berlin High School and has added many certifications from Freddie Mac, Granite State College, Mortgage Bankers Association, and Jack Henry Systems.

HRCU is a state-chartered and federally insured community credit union that has been serving the New Hampshire community since its inception in 1962. With several locations throughout the seacoast, HRCU prides itself on helping its members achieve their financial goals through convenient, technology-driven, services and a compassionate, personalized approach.

Strafford County Extreme Cold Warming Center Activated Saturday Feb 6th through Thursday Feb 11th 5pm-8am

located at 30 Willand Drive in Somersworth, NH 03878 

Please email scwarmingshelter@gmail.com or call 1-857-323-0388 for more information and for transportation arrangements.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Food Distribution Saturday Feb 6th, Restoration Church 80 Rutland St Dover, NH 03820.  

Vehicles can begin lining up at 11am and volunteers will load into cars while supplies last

Anyone can access this services, no information needed  

www.foodboxnh.com for more information

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Garrison Hotel CAP Shelter:

Located at the Garrison Hotel and Suites 200 Sterling Way Dover, NH 03820 this shelter has limited availability so it is suggested that you call first.  Call the hotel at: 603-842-6783 and ask for the C-A-P Shelter then they will transfer you

- Drew Maranhas, CRSW

  Recovery Friendly Workplace Coordinator

  206-661-2039

  Drew@sosrco.org

                                                       

• NH Business Owners, please take note of a program that can help make difficult decisions around reduced staffing.  The NH WorkShare program uses state unemployment resources to allow employers to reduce their staffing costs without risking the loss of staff.  If you’re facing these decisions, we want to help.

  Here this is how it works, employees keep their jobs and receive unemployment benefits while their hours are reduced rather than eliminated; they stay partially employed instead of becoming unemployed. This is a win-win for the employer and employees.

  Eligible WorkShare participants will receive a percentage of their weekly benefit amount equal to the percentage of the hour reduction. If a WorkShare participant is eligible for benefits in any given week, they will also receive $300.00 under the CARES Act stimulus package. Weekly benefit amounts may be reduced for additional hours worked. Reductions shall be made when an employee works for a non-WorkShare employer(s) and earns more than $128. *See WorkShareFAQ-Covid19.pdf* WorkShareFAQ-covid19.pdf

  Employees maintain their health benefits at their employer. Retirement contributions made by an employer on behalf of the employee will be based on hours worked. Any other fringe benefits may be continued or discontinued at the discretion of the employer and will need to be addressed in the plan. *See WorkShareEmployer-guide.pdf*WorkShareEmployer-guide.pdf 

   

  The state’s WorkShare program allows employers to:

• ·        Reduce workforce hours by 10%-50%
• ·        Flexibility to reduce some or all employees
• ·        Employees then become eligible for a percentage of their unemployment benefits
• ·        Employees also become eligible for federal unemployment plus up payments currently set at $300/week
• ·        No impact to employer unemployment tax rates
• ·        No impact to state’s unemployment trust fund

 

Additional Questions? Please contact NH Employment Security’s WorkShare Unit: Phone: 603-447-1467 – Email: WorkShare@nhes.nh.gov or Jimmie Hinson, Office of Workforce Opportunity, Workforce Development Administrator at 603-419-0995.

WorkShareEmployers-brochure.pdf

 

Looking for more information about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program? On January 28, 2021, the SBA added a new frequently asked questions which includes information about eligibility, application, use of funds and more. 

Learn more here:

Shuttered Venue Operators Grants - 01-27-2021.pdf

April 7, April 21, May 5, May 19, & June 2, 2021 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

UNH Extension and NH Small Business Development Center are partnering to offer Resiliency Academy, bringing together small businesses and community leaders to work toward a resilient future. The academy will focus on the intersection of small business and community resiliency.

Resiliency Academy will explore: • Resiliency planning and business retention     • Defining and measuring resilience         • Value and Supply Chains             • Workforce Needs and Quality of Life             • Communications and Cybersecurity       • Innovation, Sustainability and Partnerships

Academy sessions will include opportunities to learn from practitioners, municipal staff, business owners and experts through case studies, presentations, discussions and Q&A sessions. In addition, Resiliency Academy includes Regional Discussions, Regional Business Cohorts and the opportunity for businesses to receive advising from SBDC advisors. Participants are encouraged to attend all five sessions.

Update on - SBA 7A Guaranteed Loans

SBA announced enhancements to the 7a loan program effective 12/27 through 10/1/21 that gives lenders additional incentive to lend -- helping small businesses access capital and save money:

• No fees to borrowers or lenders
• Guarantee from SBA to lenders raised to 90%
• Guarantees on the Express loan program under $350,000 raised from 50% to 75%
• Express loan limit increased to $1 million through October 2021
• No Third Party Lender fee or CDC Processing fee on 504 loans
• More Information Here

Take Part in the - NH SBDC's 2021 Business Resiliency Survey- Part 2

Phase 2 of the 2021 NH SBDC Business Resiliency Survey 

February 1-15th

By participating in the NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC) survey it will help deepen their understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses throughout New Hampshire. They learned a great deal in last summer’s Phase 1 Survey. Businesses and their responses to the pandemic have evolved while some businesses have thrived, many are still struggling and need help. By leveraging the survey results, NH’s economic development partners will be able to help small businesses recover and become more resilient.

The survey will be live through February 15 and should take less than 10 minutes to complete.  

Together - with your input - we can help even more NH businesses through these challenging times.

Survey Link

This survey is being administered by the

University of New Hampshire Survey Center

Dover, NH – Due to the winter storm that is predicted to hit later today and last through tomorrow, the decision has been made to curtail all service on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. “We have been watching the weather forecasts closely and, while we try to avoid having to shut down, we feel this is the most prudent decision we could make based on the predicted conditions,” stated Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director.

The expectation is that COAST will return to regular operations starting on Wednesday, February 3. When COAST resumes service, expect delays as storm cleanup may likely be affecting traffic.

Nichols commented further, “Please be patient as we do everything we can to get you safely to your destination. If you need to travel today, or after the storm, please be safe on your way to and from bus stops. Please do not wait for the bus on top of snowbanks. Find the nearest driveway opening; make sure you are visible to the bus operator and wave as the bus approaches. In low light conditions wave a lit cell phone or flashlight to make you more visible to the bus operator.” COAST recommends wearing bright clothing, having reflectors and carrying a flashlight.

For updated information on COAST services, please tune in to area radio and television news outlets. COAST will also be using its website at www.coastbus.org, Facebook page at www.facebook.com/COASTbus and twitter account @COASTbus to provide additional updates.

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) has provided public transit service to the Seacoast New Hampshire region since 1982. COAST is a public, non-profit transit system that relies primarily on federal and local government support to operate. COAST is governed by a board of directors representing the communities served, two regional planning commissions, and many local and state agencies. 

Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth are activating the Strafford County Extreme Cold Weather Warming Center beginning tonight, Thursday, Jan. 28. The warming center will remain open from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. each night, through the morning of Monday, Feb. 1.

located at 30 Willand Drive in Somersworth, NH

Please email scwarmingshelter@gmail.com or call 1-857-323-0388 for more information and for transportation arrangements.

Other Contacts for assistance:

Dover: The Public Welfare department is located at the McConnell Center, 61 Locust St. in Dover. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (603) 516-6500. 

Somersworth: The Welfare / Human Services department is located at City Hall, 1 Government Way in Somersworth. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (603) 692-9509.

Rochester: The Municipal Welfare Department is located at City Hall, 31 Wakefield St., in Rochester. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (603) 332-3505.

New Hampshire residents may also dial 211 in the state anytime, day or night, to help locate critical resources

Garrison Hotel CAP Shelter:

Located at the Garrison Hotel and Suites 200 Sterling Way Dover, NH 03820 this shelter has limited availability so it is suggested that you call first.  Call the hotel at: 603-842-6783 and ask for the C-A-P Shelter then they will transfer you.- Drew Maranhas, CRSW

  Recovery Friendly Workplace Coordinator

  206-661-2039

  Drew@sosrco.org