Weekly Newsletter
We still have a few months available for hosting a Business Before or After Hours event in 2019.
Be sure to reserve your month today!

Would you be interested in leading an
educational session on a topic of your expertise?

Contact the Chamber today for
more information & to save your spot!

Chamber Member News & Events
The Deliberative Session of the School District Meeting to consider the operating budget for the 2019-2020 school year will be held on 
Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at 6:30 PM, in the Stevens High School Auditorium. Doors will open at 6:00 PM. 

( Snow date is Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 6:30pm)

To preview the School District Warrant
please see our website for more information.
All wards must enter through the EVENT ENTRANCE.
The public is encouraged to attend!
Turning Points Network is conducting a survey to learn more about customer interest in an expanded resale/thrift store offering in Sullivan County. We want to better understand what you would like to see and shop for in a resale/thrift store.
 
VRH Occupational Health Open House

Announces Interim CEO
Valley Regional Healthcare announces Deanna Howard as interim President & CEO, effective February 18, 2019. Ms. Howard, a resident of Etna, most recently was the Vice President of Regional Development for Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon, and is currently providing healthcare consulting services. Additionally, Ms. Howard is the past Chairman of the New Hampshire Hospital Association, and is a current member of the Board of Trustees of Mt. Ascutney Hospital, Crotched Mountain Foundation and the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. She is the former Chief Executive Officer of Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook.

SCORE Announces Small Business Workshop Series
 
SCORE has announced its Small Business Winter Workshop series sponsored by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust on Thursday mornings from 8:00 am – 11:00 a.m., beginning January 17 and running through February 14.
 
These business training workshops and seminars are designed for both start-up and in-business entrepreneurs. In addition to learning new content and practices, the workshops also offer an opportunity to interact with other local small business owners, or prospective business owners.
 
The Winter Workshop Series includes:
   
February 7, 2019 – Social Media Marketing – Increasing Your Exposure.   
(Part two of a two part series on  Internet Marketing ) presented by Gary Horsman is a follow up workshop on Contact Marketing Fundamentals. It will outline ways to gain exposure for your content using social media. The established platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and Pinterest will be discussed within a framework as to how each one may, or may not, work for your business marketing efforts. It is vital that the content you create gain exposure with your ideal audience for it to benefit both you and them. (Although it is not necessary that you participated in the Content Marketing Fundamentals - Value of Content workshop, it is recommended.)
 
February 14, 2019 – Writing a Business Plan  will be presented by Richard Reece
Before you seek business financing from a bank, relatives, or other sources, you need to create a business plan. This workshop covers a step-by-step guide for putting together the seven basic sections required for a good and effective business plan. Specific time will be spent discussing what bank loan officers are looking for in a business plan. You will also learn how a business plan can create a “road map” for the direction and success of your venture. Every business needs a business plan!
 
“Our SCORE Chapter has mentored thousands of individuals and small businesses over the years,” said Rich Reece, president of SCORE’s Upper Valley Chapter. “Our workshop presenters bring years of experience to the job. As well as being knowledgeable in the workshop subject, they have a down-to-earth approach based on their experience in counseling small businesses.”
 
The fee for each workshop is $30. If you invite your spouse or business partner to attend as your guest, the two of you can attend for $45. Veterans are FREE.
 
For more information about the workshops or to reserve a spot , visit Upper Valley Score www.uppervalley.score.org  or call (603) 448-3491.

Business Training Survey
Turning Points Network is asking for your help with a survey about corporate training that they trying to conduct with businesses in Sullivan County. The survey is specific to types of trainings employers may want to see for their staff relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, bullying, harassment, etc.
 
We invite you to also take this survey yourself. Our goal is to reach 100 independent responses. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Ucci , or at 603-543-0155.

Annual Pancake Breakfast &
Cardboard Sled Race at
Arrowhead on February 16th
The pancake breakfast will be served from 8am-10am at the Teal Lantern Restaurant located inside the Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center on South Street in Claremont. Breakfast is $6 per person and includes pancakes, North Country Smokehouse bacon and sausage, maple syrup from Bascom Maple Farm, juice and coffee. All proceeds benefit the Arrowhead Recreation Club.

Registration for the Cardboard Sled Race begins at 10:30am in the main lobby. Entry fee is $8 for single, $16 for two and $20 for team of 3 or more (max of 8 people per sled). Judging of the sleds will begin at 12:00pm and continue till 1:30pm. The sleds will be judged in two categories; artistic and construction. There will also be awards for the fastest sleds from start to finish line (must make it in one piece) and other categories. Race will start at 2:00pm. For official rules on sled construction and other helpful information please visit Arrowhead's Website .
Sullivan County Conservation District’s 2019 Spring Plant Sale
This year’s Plant Sale is now underway, featuring a variety of quality plants at good prices. The money raised from the sale supports conservation activities throughout the year, including workshops, programs and projects aimed at promoting and conserving the county’s natural resources. All of the plants offered are hardy, healthy, and adapted to our growing conditions. Most are native, and none are invasive. New items this year include an assortment of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that benefit wildlife as well as bulbs, a hosta, and a few ornamentals. Cover Crop Seed will also be sold in small quantities for home gardeners to prevent erosion and increase soil health. 

Visit our  website   to view the catalog and download an order form! 

The order deadline is Sunday, March 3th, 2019. 

Plant pick-up will be on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from
9am-11am at the Ahern Building garage, Sullivan County Complex, County Farm Rd. Unity, NH 03743.  

If you would like a catalog and order form mailed to you,
please contact Dawn Dextraze at 603-542-9511 x269
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
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Claremont Community and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!
Drive Details:
Site:  Claremont Senior Center
Address:  5 Acer Heights Road, Claremont, NH, 03743
Room Name:  Multi-purpose room
Date:  Mon Feb 11, 2019
Time:  12:00 PM - 5:00: PM
Coordinator Name:  K Winn


The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.
Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity
Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity is planning to start a new Chapter in Claremont, to continue the work we have been doing helping people repair their houses. We have been concentrating on the Pearl Street area, but now will be covering the entire City.

We are looking for volunteers to provide guidance and leadership for our efforts through serving on the new chapter’s steering committee.
We help individual families with their homes, and the city as a whole by upgrading the existing housing stock.


Please contact Don Derrick for more information via email or by calling (603) 277-9135