The City of Claremont will be hosting a Community Forum on Wednesday, July 8th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. via ZOOM to gather public input on the Pleasant Street Revitalization project. The city is interested in citizen feedback on the concept design and changes to the truck route, which will be presented by engineers from McFarland-Johnson. We welcome your comments, questions and ideas.
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Dixieland Jazz Pop-Up Concert
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The Claremont Opera House, in partnership with the City of Claremont and Arrowhead Recreation Area present Firehouse 6 performing Dixieland Jazz, Friday, July 10th, 6pm on the hillside of Arrowhead!
Enjoy a Friday evening watching the sunset and listening to Dixieland jazz with Firehouse 6. Ed Evensen will lead a six piece band featuring clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, banjo and drums. The seating areas will be divided into wet and dry, with social distancing between each seating area. Masks are required except when in assigned seating area. Sweet Fire BBQ will be providing beer/wine service in the wet area, and will be taking pre-orders for food delivery to the concert. Concessions will also be available for sale.
Tickets are $15.00 for adults (21+) and $5.00 for youth (ages 5-20 seated in the dry area). Tickets are FREE for COH Gold 2020 Members and for Silver Members who have not yet attended a pop-up event.
Seating is limited so tickets should be purchased in advance at
www.claremontoperhouse.org, or by phone at 603-542-4433.
This pop-up event is funded through the 2020 COH Membership Program. Pop-up shows are smaller and provide different genres of music that are not usually in the main Season Program. To learn more about this new membership program, go to the Membership tab on the COH website.
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State of NH Self Employed Livelihood Fund
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The application for the NHSELF grant has been posted and applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on July 17
th
.
This grant program is available to for profit self-employed individuals who have their principal place of business in NH and had gross receipts in 2019 under $1,000,000. To be a self-employed business for purposes of the SELF grant, the state has provided the following:
- For purposes of the New Hampshire SELF Program, a “self-employed” business is a business that does not have any employees except owners at any time during the year, including any furloughed, laid-off, or seasonal employees. The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC). If one or more non-owner employees typically work for a business at any time during the year, including any furloughed, laid-off, or seasonal employees, the business is not a “self-employed” business. Independent contractors are not employees; an independent contractor has a “self-employed” business.
The eligibility criteria, link to the application, and FAQ sheet are available
online here
. If you have questions, please contact NH Division of Revenue Administration (DRA) Call Center, which is available at (603) 230-5000, Option 0, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
It has been suggested that you submit your application the day before it is due in the event that you have any problems with the application submission.
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Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Awards Career & Technical Education Scholarships to Seven NH High School Graduates
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Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has named seven New Hampshire high school graduates as recipients of the Bank’s 2020 Career & Technical Education Scholarship. The $1,500 award is presented to students in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont who attended a technical career program as part of their high school curriculum and are planning to attend college or a technical school after graduation.
The New Hampshire scholarship recipients are:
Genesis Abarea
of Nashua, New Hampshire, is a 2020 graduate of Nashua High School South and was enrolled at Nashua Technical Center – South. She will be attending Rivier University, enrolled in the Elementary Education program.
Mason Martell
of Newport, New Hampshire, is a 2020 graduate of Newport High School and was enrolled at Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center. He will be attending Wesleyan College and plans to major in Spanish and Biology.
Abigail O’Brien
of Charlestown, New Hampshire, is a 2020 graduate of Fall Mountain Regional High School and attended Fall Mountain Career & Technology Education Center. She will be attending the University of New Hampshire, enrolled in the Animal Science program.
Suhali Patel
of Nashua, New Hampshire, is a 2020 graduate of Nashua High School South and attended Nashua Technology Center – South. She will be attending Southern New Hampshire University, enrolled in the Computer Science program.
Annika Randall
of Newport, New Hampshire, is a 2020 graduate of Newport High School and attended Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center. She will be attending the University of Vermont, enrolled in the Nursing program.
Alexandra Richardson
of Newport, New Hampshire, is a 2020 graduate of Newport High School and attended Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center. She will be attending Keene State, enrolled in the Nursing program.
Olivia Thomas
of Manchester, New Hampshire, is a 2020 graduate of Manchester School of Technology. She will be attending Keene State, enrolled in the Elementary Education program.
Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiaries Bar Harbor Trust Services and Charter Trust Company. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit
www.barharbor.bank
or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.
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ServSafe Free COVID-19 Training
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For 30 years, ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests, while also keeping themselves safe. Because of the challenges presented by COVID-19, we have developed a number of free resources aimed at keeping our workers and the dining public safe.
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SHS Alumni Association Parade Fundraiser
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Raffle Ticket Suggested Donation is $5 each.
Prizes include:
(1) $500 Winner
(1) $300 Winner
(1) $200 Winner
(10) $50 Winners
Drawing will be held at the September 16, 2020 SHS Alumni Meeting.
To purchase tickets please call (603) 542-8987 or (603) 504-5702
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News from Vital Communities
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Expanding Access to Energy Efficiency
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COVER Home Repair
, town energy committees, and Vital Communities are working together to connect residents with energy efficiency programs designed to help them save on their home energy bills and increase comfort, at little to no cost to them. You, too, can help your neighbors improve the efficiency of their home by
signing up to volunteer
with a COVER crew. (
Read more about COVER
in the latest Image issue.) All types of homes can benefit from weatherization, including manufactured homes like the one pictured here — which also is part of a three-year project by Vital Communities and COVER to find the most effective practices for weatherizing manufactured homes.
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Solar Energy for All Income Levels
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On Friday, July 18, 10 to 11 am, join
Sustainable Woodstock
and Vital Communities (via Zoom) to learn how private individuals and companies can collaborate with the nonprofit sector to develop solar energy designed for low- to moderate-income households. This event is ideal for non-profit and financial institution representatives, town planners, town managers and selectboard members, regional planning staff, legislators, energy committee members, solar developers, and any resident interested in affordable solar! Zoom instructions are
here
.
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Paying for Energy Improvements
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Now's the best time to think about weatherizing your home as both New Hampshire and Vermont have announced large — and temporary — increases to their state weatherization rebates. Here are
step-by-step guides
to accessing these resources. In addition, Efficiency VT will make the first six months of payments (up to $900) on a
Home Energy Loan
for anyone who applies before October 31. For help playing for improvements in electric use, Green Mountain Power customers have a range of
rebates and incentives
, including the newly expanded Tesla Powerwall and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) home battery programs.
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Antiracism & Environmental Justice
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Over the past few weeks we've been seeing the calls for racial justice resonate with our community and have heard voices from local environmental groups (including
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
,
Upper Valley Land Trust
,
Revision Energy
, Sierra Club
NH
and
VT
) speak up in solidarity with the Black community. As we focus on issues of racial justice, it's important we acknowledge how systemic racism pervades every aspect of society — including how we approach environmental issues. While the concepts of environmental racism and environmental justice are not new, current events are bringing them renewed attention. The statements from local environmental groups highlight that it is the duty of each of us to examine how our work interfaces with issues of racial inequality, and to challenge ourselves to actively promote diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice within our professional — and personal — circles.
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Help Shape a New Vision for Farming
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Vermont residents, your input is needed in a
public survey
by the Farm to Plate Network, managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF). By answering its questions, you’ll be helping to shape the next 10 years of farm and food development in Vermont. Respondents also will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to a Vermont farmers market of the winner’s choice. All responses to the survey will be kept confidential.
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The Local Crowd (TLC) 4WARD Launch
All local businesses are essential! Our small businesses make the Upper Valley unique, and many are struggling. TLC 4WARD is a local way to pay it forward and give them financial support so they can make it through this emergency. Visit the newly launched
TLC 4WARD
Upper Valley pages and give to the businesses and organizations you love with one easy and secure checkout. Businesses are joining every day, so bookmark
TLC 4WARD
and give what you can to keep your favorite businesses in business. Local businesses interested in joining can learn more
here
.
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To subscribe to Vital Communities Newsletter please send an email to
newsletters@vitalcommunities.org
and include your first and last name in the body of the e-mail. If you would like to receive their print newsletter twice a year, please provide your mailing address as well.
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Determining your FFCRA Eligibility
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U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division launched a
new online tool
that guides workers through a series of questions to help them determine if they are eligible for paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). As America continues to re-open, this tool stands to help employees and employers to determine who is qualified for the FFCRA protections and benefits.
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The Greater Sullivan County Community Relief Fund Continues to Accept Requests
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The Funding Steering Committee is still accepting requests for non-profits to access community relief funds. As the current state continues to evolve, the Committee wants to ensure that any non-profit organization in need assistance due to COVID-19 is able to apply for these funds.
We are asking partners to begin to anticipate their needs during the recovery phase of COVID-19.
Click here
to access the request form if your agencies has unmet needs of any kind, current or anticipated. Please reach out to
GSCPHN@hitchcock.org
with questions.
More about the Community Relief Fund
Click here
for a list of agencies who have been funded.
Our most recent press release can he found
here
.
A huge thank you to Sullivan County government, Region 1 IDN and our new partner Sullivan County United Way for their work on this project!
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Sullivan County Transportation Survey
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Sullivan County Transportation is conducting a survey on where you'd like to see bus stops in Lebanon, what times of day should runs take place and if you'd be more likely to depart from Newport or Claremont.
Share your thoughts online here.
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News from the U.S. Small Business Administration
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On July 1, 2020, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters into force, officially replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). USMCA is a ground-breaking achievement for U.S. small businesses and is the first trade agreement ever to include a full chapter dedicated to small business interests.
Supporting and expanding U.S. small business trade with Mexico and Canada is a top priority for me as the new Associate Administrator for SBA’s
Office of International Trade
(OIT). SBA OIT has a team of talented trade finance specialists and finance products to help small businesses involved in international trade to access capital, purchase inventory as a manufacturer or supplier, and expand through trade. OIT helps ensure small businesses are adequately represented in trade negotiations led by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and educates U.S. small businesses on the wide range of federal and state resources that can increase their ability to compete in international trade.
PPP Extended - Applications Accepted thru August 8th
More time allotted for any small business or organization that has not taken advantage of the PPP Loan Program.
The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds for payroll costs and other eligible non- payroll costs.
More than $100 Billion in PPP funds are still available. The recent passage of the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act allows small businesses to use funds up to 24-weeks and have the option of extending the life of the loan from two years to five. SBA will forgive loans if funds are used as intended.
Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.
Disaster Loan Program Continues to Accept Applications for All Small Businesses and Private Non-Profits
The
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal
is open to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19. This direct loan program provides long-term, low interest assistance for emergency working capital. Funds can be used to cover monthly operating expenses until normal business operations resume. Additionally, the EIDL Advance will provide up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee) of emergency economic relief.
Webinar Wednesday @ 9am
Join us each Wednesday at 9am to get an update of our disaster relief and other programs and let you know about partner happenings and upcoming events. It is also a great opportunity to get all of your questions answered. We hope you join us!
To join the webinar:
+1 202-765-1264
United States, Washington DC (Toll)
Conference ID: 120 391 006#
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If you'd like to have an item appear in the newsletter please
email it by noon on Monday to appear in that week's regular issue.
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Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce | 24 Opera House Sq. Claremont, NH 03743
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