Weekly Newsletter
Chamber Member News & Events
Calling All Non-Profit Organizations!
Deadline to register has been extended to
Monday, November 25, 2019.


The Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce will be sharing photos and information about ALL entries here in our newsletter as well as on Facebook during the month of December.
Community Initiatives Launch Crowdfunding Campaigns through The Local Crowd Upper Valley
Exciting community initiatives will launch crowdfunding campaigns in November through a new community-based crowdfunding program,  The Local Crowd (TLC) Upper Valley , hosted by Vital Communities. The campaigns run through December 20 to reach funding goals for projects that build community and economy in the Upper Valley.
 
Community members can get details on all the projects and how to contribute to their crowdfunding campaigns at  vitalcommunities.org/tlc . Campaigns launch November 4 through November 20 and run about 30 days each, with the final campaign ending December 20. Campaign goals range from $5,000-$12,000 for specific projects that strengthen our communities.
 
The six projects seeking crowdfunding in November and December are:
  • Friends of Mascoma Foundation, Canaan – to expand its Friends Feeding Friends program, combating food insecurity in the Mascoma Valley Regional School District
  • Whaleback Mountain, Enfield – to invest in energy efficiency improvements in the base lodge
  • Puppy Junction, White River Junction – to create an adoption, volunteer, and education center
  • Willow Tree Community Compost, Wilder – to help grow its community compost operation and a partnership with Sunrise Farm
  • Sunrise Farm, White River Junction – to build the physical infrastructure needed to compost food scraps from the community to build healthy soil on the farm, divert food waste from the landfill, and strengthen the connections between the farm and community
  • The Growing Peace Project, Topsham – to improve infrastructure in their free-food teaching garden and increase transportation capacity to get food to community members who need it

“We’re so excited about the range of projects that are part of this pilot crowdfunding effort,” said Nancy LaRowe, who coordinates local economy initiatives at Vital Communities. “Each project contributes to the health of our communities and economy in unique ways. TLC gives Upper Valley residents the chance to learn about innovative things happening in their backyard AND the ability to invest in the projects that build community!”
 
Vital Communities is one of five sites nationwide selected to participate in the National Science Foundation grant-funded project with Wyoming-based company The Local Crowd. This initiative is designed to uncover the best ways to support social enterprises—mission-driven organizations that use business principles to make their communities and the world a better place.
 
Crowdfunding is the process by which an entrepreneur, business, or organization asks a large number of people (usually through the Internet) to contribute a certain amount of money for a specific project. By leveraging the power of crowdfunding, TLC Upper Valley’s fundraising platform offers an innovative way for community members to support the businesses and organizations they care about right here in our region. Learn more at  vitalcommunities.org/tlc .
Claremont Savings Bank Announces New Hires
“We are very pleased to have Adam and Sean join our Commercial Banking Team,” says Jim Lynch, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking. “Their experience and enthusiasm for working with business owners will benefit our customers and will also help Claremont Savings Bank to continue fulfilling our mission of supporting local businesses and the communities we serve,” adds Lynch.
Sean Long, VP, Commercial Lending.
Mr. Long comes to CSB with a degree from Champlain College and New England School of Banking at Williams College. His career in banking spans nearly 20 years and includes serving as Retail Market Manager, Vice President, Corporate Lending and Vice President, Commercial Lending and Upper Valley Market Manager with local and community banks. Mr. Long has received awards for his excellence in banking and he sits on Boards for youth sports and economic development organizations. “I am excited to be joining the team at Claremont Savings Bank, I look forward to working in the communities we serve to support and service their business needs,” adds Long
Adam Pippin, AVP, Commercial Lending. Mr. Pippin comes to CSB with a B.S. in Business Administration from Lyndon State College. He has worked in the Financial sector for nearly 10 years and brings Commercial Lending experience from previous local community bank employment. Mr. Pippin is the President of the Board for Health Care and Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont, is a Commercial Lending Committee member for the Vermont Bankers Association and is a Board Member for Space on Main, a CoMaker Space in Bradford, Vermont. Adam will be based out of CSB’s West Lebanon, NH office. “I am excited to be a part of such a great organization, that values our local communities and is supporting our continued growth within the Upper Valley region.” 
 Vital Communities "Open House"
Join us to close out our 25th Anniversary year!
Friday, December 6, 5:30 pm
Remarks at 6 pm
The Engine Room, White River Junction

Followed by a dance party with livemixkings' DjSean from 7:30–11 pm—FREE if you attend Open House!


Celebrate 25 years of working together for positive change in the Upper Valley.
 
Get to know our staff, board, and other supporters while you enjoy
wine and abundant refreshments from great local businesses.
Volunteer of the Year, Super Quest Grand Prize, and door prizes awarded!

Followed by dance tunes from local favorite livemixkings' DjSean starting at 7:30 pm (21+). FREE to Open House attendees or $5 at the door.
Mayoral Notes - November 18, 2019
Support Local Small Businesses 

Small Business Saturday is a national effort to encourage consumers to shop at local, independently owned businesses on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. This year makes the 10th annual Small Business Saturday which will fall on November 30. In 2018, over 650 mayors and city officials across the nation participated in this effort. At our Council meeting on November 13, I issued a proclamation in support of this and in recognition of the invaluable role that small businesses play in the Claremont economy and in our community as a whole.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 30.7 million small business in the country, representing 99.7 percent of all firms with paid employees. These businesses are responsible for 64.9 percent of net new jobs created from 2000 to 2018. Given such statistics, it is evident that small businesses are the backbone in local economies across the nation.

Claremont small businesses provide jobs, consumer products/services, and attract people to the community. However, their important is not linked solely to their economic impact. They are also participants in strengthening the social fabric of our community. Often, they are sponsors for local sport or community events. Many times they donate their time and resources for a variety of causes. Without them, we could not thrive.

As any owner will tell you, running a successful business is challenging. The hours are long, the risk is great, and the rewards are not immediate. Small businesses must be creative and agile in order to compensate for market changes and emerging trends. We can recognize their hard work and their impact on the community through our support.

Participating in Small Business Saturday is one way of demonstrating our support. In 2018, U.S. consumers spent an estimated $17.8 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday. On average, 67 cents of every dollar spent at local small businesses stays in the local community.

You can help keep those dollars in Claremont. Your participation on November 30 will not only benefit the businesses at which you shop, but also the community as a whole. If there is a local business that you have never visited, consider taking this opportunity to do so. Your business will be most appreciated.

Charlene Lovett is the Mayor of Claremont and welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected]
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
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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