Upper Valley Business Alliance

I'm so excited to present our Economic Outlook on March 20. The changes coming in the demographics of NH & VT are going to have long term ramifications in our workforce, housing and policy that will affect all businesses. We have terrific speakers -Mike Pieciak, the Treasurer for the State of Vermont, Phil Sletten and Jess Williams of NH Fiscal Policy Institute, and Matt Walsh and Erica Dickinson from Lightcast. Hypertherm Associates' Jenny Levy will moderate. Join us! https://lnkd.in/eAAuMBFB

Many thanks to WCVB Channel 5 for highlighting Hanover & Lebanon! Winter is great here (all four seasons actually!). And Boston friends, you can be hitting the slopes or strolling downtown in just 2.5 hours by car, or hop on the Dartmouth Coach at South Station for a direct ride, or a 1 hour flight on Cape Air to Lebanon. Looking for a weekend getaway? We're ready for you! #VisitNH, #NHEconomy #HanoverNH #UpperValley #LebanonNH https://lnkd.in/eVH3_YB5

Thinking about selling your business? Is retirement on your mind? Do you lay awake wondering who will buy your business or take it over? Join us for a virtual presentation on Thursday, January 16, from 12-1 PM. RSVP: https://lnkd.in/eqAtSf4v

ARTS INSTITUTIONS ANNOUNCE REIMAGINED UPPER VALLEY ARTS ALLIANCE FALL INTO THE ARTS INITIATIVE FEATURES FREE AND LOW-COST PROGRAMMING (August 29, 2024) Today arts institutions around the Upper Valley are proud to announce the relaunch of the Upper Valley Arts Alliance (uvarts.org), which unites arts organizations around a shared mission to increase access to the arts for all. By pooling resources and expertise, these organizations aim to create a vibrant cultural community where creativity and connection can thrive. Through collaborative programs, educational initiatives, community events, and more, the UVAA strives to make arts more accessible, foster artistic growth, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the arts in the Upper Valley. In celebration of this reimagined venture, the constituent organizations are collaborating on their inaugural festival, Fall Into the Arts. Fall Into the Arts 2024, which will run through September and October, features free or reduced-price arts events across the Upper Valley, including a rich tapestry of cultural experiences in dance, theater, music, media arts, and more. Events will be held in accessible venues to ensure barrier-free participation for all and will lift up the region’s vibrant cultural scene. A full listing of events, as well as discount offers, can be found at the newly-launched webpage uvarts.org. The Upper Valley Arts Alliance is a collaboration of more than 20 organizations, including: Anonymous Coffee House, Artistree Community Arts Center, AVA Gallery &Art Center, Chandler Center for the Arts, Hanover Parks and Rec, the Hood Museum of Art, the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth, Junction Arts and Media, Lebanon Recreation Arts and Parks, Lebanon Opera House, Main Street Museum, New England School of the Arts, North Country Community Theatre, Northern Stage, Revels North, Sawtooth Kitchen, Shaker Bridge Theatre, Roots & WIngs, Upper Valley Business Alliance, the Upper Valley Music Center, and more. The Upper Valley Arts Alliance (UVAA) was formed in 2004 to serve as an umbrella organization for arts and arts education organizations throughout the Upper Valley to network and form collaborations. In 2021, UVAA became a program of the Upper Valley Business Alliance to promote and support the contribution of the arts on the economy of the Upper Valley. An economic impact study through the Americans for the Arts in 2023 found that the arts contribute over $18 million annually to the economy of the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont. “Since 2004, UVAA has been the driving force behind fostering a creative economy in the Upper Valley,” says Tracy Hutchins, president of the Upper Valley Business Alliance. “We have numerous art, theater and music organizations that provide jobs, attract tourists and create strong cultural enrichment for our residents. UVBA is thrilled to partner and support the UVAA’s continuing efforts by giving them operational support.”

UVBA is hiring a Program & Events Coordinator! Come join our team! https://lnkd.in/geszv7RN

The Upper Valley Business Alliance Foundation in partnership with the Upper Valley BIPOC Network and Hypertherm Associates is pleased to announce the recipients of the second annual Small Business Grant for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs. Touch By Sofie Hair Braids Beauty Bar LLC?located in Lebanon, New Hampshire is owned by Sophia Green-Miller. Green-Miller provides hair braiding and natural hair care services. Aurora Daycare?in White River Junction, Vermont, is owned by Noreen Arnold. Arnold provides in-home care. The Upper Valley Business Alliance Foundation (UVBA) Small Business Grant is a funding opportunity for small businesses located in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont owned by underrepresented entrepreneurs. To be eligible for the grant, applicants needed to be located in the Upper Valley region, have 50 or fewer employees, owned by Black, Latino, Pan Asian and/or Indigenous entrepreneurs, and demonstrate financial need. Applications were reviewed by the steering committee of the Upper Valley BIPOC Network, who evaluated the impact of the proposed use of the grant funding for promoting diversity of business ownership in the Upper Valley.?The Foundation is the 501c3 arm of the Upper Valley Business Alliance. “Our goal is to remove barriers and encourage more underrepresented entrepreneurs to start businesses in the Upper Valley,” says Tracy Hutchins, President of the Upper Valley Business Alliance. “We cannot have a truly diverse community unless we have goods and services that meet the needs of all our residents. We hope to create a more welcoming community for all people who wish to live, work and make the Upper Valley home.” The funding for the 2024 Small Business Grant was provided by Hypertherm Associates, sponsors of the grant. "Hypertherm Associates strives to build equity, inclusion, and belonging in both our business and in the communities where we live and work,” said John Scott, Chief Financial Officer for Hypertherm Associates. “By partnering with the Upper Valley Business Alliance, we can be confident that our sponsorship is positively impacting our local BIPOC community members." For more information on the Upper Valley BIPOC Network, visit uvbipocnetwork.org.

Join on us Friday May 3 from 8-9:30 am at the Kilton Library, 80 Main Street, West Lebanon!

Marketing is crucial to the success of a small business or organization. But if you are a small business or organization that does not have a dedicated marketing professional, it can be daunting and intimidating.This program is for you! Our marketing professionals are going to each break it down and give you actionable tips to improve or build your marketing presence. Our topics and speakers: 8:30 am?Creating Content presented by Chuck Sink of Chuck Sink Link.? 9:30 am?Effective Websites That Drive Traffic to You presented by Shawn Dixon, Clover Creative Consulting 10:30 am Digital Advertising and Where to Get Your Message Seen presented by Ben Saunders, Shire Digital 11:30 am?Creating a Marketing Strategy - How to Bring It All Together presented by Dan Evans, Hydrate Marketing https://lnkd.in/g9eXiuRi??

The Upper Valley BIPOC Network is a program of the Upper Valley Business Alliance. The Upper Valley?BIPOC?Network is accepting applications for the?2024 Small Business Grant for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs.?To be eligible for the grant, businesses must be located in the Upper Valley region, have 50 or fewer employees, owned by Black, Latino, Pan Asian and/or Indigenous entrepreneurs, and demonstrate financial need. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of UV?BIPOC?Network members and local business leaders, who will evaluate the impact of the proposed use of the grant funding. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Apply at?https://lnkd.in/etgHk534

UVBA is continuously looking for new programs that provide value and support the needs of our members. We are pleased to introduce a new benefit for our members - a group 401K plan called a Multi-Employer Aggregate Program (MEAP). A MEAP is a qualified retirement plan and is adopted by multiple employers under the umbrella of a sponsoring organization. We are excited to offer the MEAP in the hopes it will save your company money, help reduce your administrative time and help you to retain your valuable workers. If interested in learning more about this program, please join us for lunch (on us!) on Wednesday, April 17 from 11:30-1 pm at the Hanover Inn. Our partners from Lincoln Financial and Raymond James will be on hand to answer questions and explain the MEAP. Register at https://lnkd.in/gFpDTpuB