News

New Hampshire Association of Chamber Executives shared webinars

Dear NHACCE Member,   As we all work our way through the Covid-19 situation, NHACCE is pleased to be coordinating the sharing of webinars that can help New Hampshire businesses succeed during this difficult time.   If you are planning a webinar for the business community, please include the NHACCE logo and provide the information to Wendy Hunt or Donna Morris and we will distribute the information to fellow NHACCE members.   Also, feel free to share any webinars to your membership or on your

NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs website to COVID resources page

You will find a wealth of COVID-19 resources on the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs page:  NHEconomy.com/COVID19.

US Department of Labor: COVID-19 and the Workplace

COVID-19 and the American Workplace Temporary Rule: Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act  On April 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule

City of Portsmouth Health Department Reminds Returning 'Snow Birds' to Self-Quarantine

PORTSMOUTH – Many New Hampshire residents with seasonal winter homes who are returning to New Hampshire may not be aware that the state is under a “Stay At Home” order issued by the Governor on March 27, 2020, as well as limitations on group gatherings, essential businesses and other measures taken to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  They may also not be aware of the advisories issued by the CDC, NH Department of Health and Human Services and the City of Portsmouth Health

COAST Suspends all Fixed Route Bus Service through May 4

DOVER – During an emergency meeting of the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) Executive Committee, the decision was made to suspend all fixed route service, and Route 7 On Demand, effective the end of business March 31. The decision was not arrived at easily, but it was felt it was the only one that could be made. The suspension will remain in place until May 4 and may be extended if the pandemic conditions warrant. “Our organization is extremely saddened with the decision that had to

Eversource continues essential work to ensure reliability during COVID-19 pandemic

MANCHESTER – As Eversource operates under its COVID-19 pandemic plan to safeguard the health and well-being of its employees and the communities it serves, the energy company continues to prepare for emergencies and perform essential work to ensure reliability for its four million customers across Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Recognizing the importance of this work, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security included electric, gas and water utility workers in its recently published list of

New Hampshire Credit Unions: Open & Offering Hardship Programs During Crisis

CONCORD -- (March 30) While the state is under a stay at home executive order from Gov. Christopher Sununu, New Hampshire’s credit unions continue to provide essential financial services to their 735,000 members across the state. As they have always done in difficult economic situations, credit unions are offering financial hardship programs to help their members weather these unprecedented circumstances.    During this COVID-19 crisis, N.H. credit unions are creating new programs that meet their

Blue Ocean Society's resources for remote learning

PORTSMOUTH - With schools closing and people being encouraged to stay inside, it can be challenging to find engaging activities for children that are also educational. Staff at Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation have launched new resources for students and educators to use for remote learning.  With only some sand and a strainer, students can participate in a microplastics lab from home. There is also a demonstration video so students and teachers can follow along with a Blue Ocean Society

Keep your computer and bank account secure by being suspicious of unusual or unexpected email

Email is commonly used by criminals in phishing scams. Criminals have the ability to make the email look very realistic; it may even appear to come from a legitimate source. Criminals are now taking advantage of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in order to commit fraud. These criminals are sending phishing emails that claim to come from charities or people dealing with COVID19. The emails are intended to trick you into donating to a phony charity or installing malware on your computer. These scams may also be used

Draft and send your news release to the Chamber for posting on its website

Guide to Submitting a News Release • Log on to ChamberMaster at chamberlogin.com <div segoe="" ui",="" system-ui,="" "apple="" color="" emoji",="" "segoe="" ui="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 14px;"=""> • In the upper right-hand corner, look for the “MIC” icon o Click on it • Once in MIC, go to the menu column on the left-hand side  o Click “News Release” from this menu  • After you are in “News Release,” click on “Add News Release” on the right-hand side (it is in a blue box) • Name your news release

Spring Restaurant Week Portsmouth & the Seacoast postponed

Our hearts and (virtual) hugs go out to all our friends, family, businesses and neighbors, near and far. It is remarkable and gratifying to every day witness our Seacoast community come together and take care of each other in these unprecedented times. The news reports change hourly, and we recognize that we don’t know when our extraordinary restaurant community will be able to open up its doors again. But we know they will, and we can’t wait for that to happen! With that in mind, we are postponing

City of Portsmouth Seeks Donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies

PORTSMOUTH — City Health Officer Kim McNamara has put out the call requesting donations of PPE supplies so the City's health and first responder teams have a sure supply as demand grows.   The notice to residents noted, “In addition to outfitting COVID-19 health providers, the fire and police officers who respond to any 'possibly infected or exposed' individuals must take PPE precautions. That uses up supplies, fast!”   The Portsmouth Fire Department is organizing the PPE Donation Drive and is

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update from Convenient MD

We would like to provide an update regarding ConvenientMD's response as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation develops. ConvenientMD Urgent Care can now provide testing for COVID-19. Please note that due to CDC and state health guidelines and in an effort to conserve COVID-19 testing supplies, we will only be administering COVID-19 testing to healthcare workers, individuals who work in a healthcare environment, and those who are at the greatest risk for infection who are symptomatic. Regarding return to

Special advisory from Exeter Hospital (3/23/20)

Healthcare workers watch The Rep's Friday Cabaret free

Everyone is struggling right now, and we know a few people that could use a little break. Well, here's a start. Healthcare workers out there, our next livestreamed Friday (3/27/20) Night Cabaret is going to be free for all of you. We'll also let you watch last Friday's cabaret for free on-demand. Our streams are still free for seniors.  All you have to do is email kathleen.cavalaro@seacoastrep.org and make a request to be added. Honor system. Please get in touch with us before 5pm on Friday so we can

Invitation to ''Coronavirus Employment Q&A'' webinar on March 26

Webinar: Coronavirus Employment Q&A   McLane Middleton employment attorneys will answer your questions as they relate to the coronavirus and employment and wage issues. Attorneys Charla Stevens, Jennifer Parent and Adam Hamel will provide insight to the complex employment issues that businesses are facing including:   ·     Furloughs and workforce reduction ·     Families First Coronavirus Act ·     Wage and Benefit Concerns ·     Protecting employee confidentiality ·     Your questions - submit

Pappas and Hagedorn Call on House Leadership to Include Employee Retention Tax Credit

Bipartisan letter calls for reestablishment of tax provision to help small businesses retain workers and prevent painful layoffsToday, as bicameral negotiations continue on a third Coronavirus package, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) have continued to fight for small businesses and American workers by leading a bipartisan letter with 17 of their House colleagues to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy urging them to include language reestablishing

NH Tech Alliance Hosts Programs Available for NH Businesses in Distress

Join us this Friday morning for a discussion of options available to New Hampshire businesses struggling with many sudden changes. This webinar is free and open to all.   It will also be recorded and immediate available to everyone to view.Click here to learn more!

Food & Pharmacy Pick-up and Delivery in Portsmouth

For up-to-date references, the City of Portsmouth is continually populating its COVID-19 Preparedness website: https://tinyurl.com/covid19local. Food Stores & Online Resources: Wal-Mart: 2460 Lafayette Rd (603) 433-6008 https://grocery.walmart.com/locations/pickup/Walmart-Portsmouth-NHSupercenter-2130 Offers online grocery shopping for pick upDelivery within 8-mile radius of the storePick-up/delivery options may be fully booked – customers should check webpage for details and optionsStore hours: 7am

Special advisory message from Strawbery Banke Museum

Dear Friends:The enduring message of Strawbery Banke is that community matters, and that the museum exists to tell the story of 300 years of community. We write to you today, watching the coronavirus march across the globe, to let you know that the museum is taking active steps to prepare. The museum staff and Trustees will continue to monitor and follow the guidance of the CDC, the NH Department of Health and Human Services and Portsmouth’s Health Officer. Because of that responsibility, we have agreed

Seacoast Food Resources

Food OptionsMONDAY - FRIDAYGather – Food Pantry: Monday-Thursday 9:00-5:00pm. Fridays 9am-1:00pm. Meals on Wheels: Monday-Friday home delivery. Call to register 603-431-0561.Salvation Army:  Monday-Friday Bag Breakfast to-go 7am-8am. 7 days/week bag dinner to-go 5:00pm-6:00pm. 603-278-8306School Lunch Program: Monday-Friday Breakfast & Lunch pick up at Portsmouth High School 7:30am-9:00am or delivery to key locations via school bus. 603-436-0443 (See complete info below)End 68 Hours to of Hunger:  Working

BIA COVID-19 Employer Resources

From the Business & Industry Association, 3/18/2020 In response to our members’ needs to adapt their business processes quickly during this uncertain and unprecedented time, BIA has developed a COVID-19 Employer Resource web page with information for employers from both federal and state sources. This includes information about COVID-19 testing, paid family medical/sick leave, unemployment insurance, White House discussion of $1000.00 cash payment to American adults, and more. We will update this page as

Eversource Suspends Cancelation of Services

As COVID-19 continues to impact communities across its service territory, Eversource is working to ensure safe, reliable service for customers during these challenging times while also protecting the health of its employees and customers. Beginning last week, the energy company implemented several measures to reduce in-person employee interaction in its facilities, including a work-from-home requirement for employees who can do so, as well as enhanced cleaning measures.  Eversource hard hat and gloves“We

Mclane Middleton Coronavirus Resource Center

With the constantly changing information concerning the COVID-19 global pandemic, we recognize that businesses are navigating in uncertain and unprecedented times.  McLane Middleton is advising clients on various COVID-19 related issues.  Conditions are changing rapidly across state and national government.  We are committed to providing updated information to help our clients make critical decisions for their employees and businesses.  To assist you, we will be updating this site regularly with legal

Federal relief via the Small Business Administration

The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.  Go to SBA.gov/Disaster for more information

First Seacoast Bank Welcomes David Darvish

DOVER – Richard M. Donovan, First Seacoast Bank Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer is pleased to announce the addition of David Darvish as Vice President and Finance Officer. Darvish is an experienced reporting specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. He possesses strong information technology skills in U.S. SEC filings, auditing, accounting, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Darvish holds a master’s degree in accounting from Bentley College and is a Certified

New Women’s Health & Wellness Center Opens at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Portsmouth Outpatient Center

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is pleased to announce that Nancy Blatt, DO, a board-certified family medicine physician, and Michelle Ciarlo, MD, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, have joined Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s new Center for Women’s Health & Wellness, located at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s new Portsmouth Outpatient Center at the Pease Tradeport.   The Center for Women’s Health & Wellness offers a new model for women’s healthcare for Seacoast women. The center brings together

Chef Brendan Vesey of Botanica wins Steel Chef Challenge

MANCHESTER - More than 700 guests in the Armory Ballroom welcomed Food Network’s Iron Chef Michael Symon and cheered on four N.H. chefs in the New Hampshire Food Bank’s Steel Chef Challenge on March 9. The annual fundraiser pits four N.H. chefs competing for Steel Chef honors by creating a dish made with four secret ingredients that challenge even the most adventurous chefs.  And the winner is:  Chef Brendan Vesey of Botanica, Portsmouth. Vesey created a dish that the judges described as “Super elegant”

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital opens Breast Health Center at Portsmouth Outpatient Center

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital opened a new Breast Health Center at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Portsmouth Outpatient Center. Offering comprehensive breast diagnostic services, the Breast Health Center, located at 67 Corporate Drive on the hospital’s Portsmouth campus, will feature advanced tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography, a technology proven to improve early detection of breast cancer and reduce unnecessary callbacks.    In addition to 3D Mammography, the Wentworth-Douglass Breast Health