|
|
|
|
 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Tuesday, the New England Economic Project releases its newest forecast for the region. The picture is brighter in some states than others as I learned from two of NEEP's top economists. |
| NEEP Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Ross - I know NEEP has issued a regional forecast for 2001 to 2006. It's not all good news when it comes to growth in the region Dennis - how do you come up with the forecast.factors? There's a big change from 97-2001. why what's happened? Unemployment numbers are not as high as national numbers that's a good thing - but why is it so How does NH fare compared to other New England states? High Tech employment - there's been a decline 01/01-02/02 Maine Mass Vermont and NH all took a hit. Maine the worst NH least impacted - what happened? Manufacturing jobs declined - what types of manufacturing? Forecasting growth in NE 1/3 lower than US.Why? NH tops states for recovery Mass lags.what contributes to speed of recovery? You looked at personal income growth that has slowed. +4.1% 96-01 1.2% Why What about changes coming down the road that may impact how NE's economy performs - new governors elected, lower growth puts policy for higher ed at risk, an increase in taxes, which can impact long term economic prospects. Dennis according to your study - NH continues to be highly ranked as a great place to raise family.What factors go into that ranking? NH has highly educated work force not as high in Maine how impact economic outlook per capita income NH is in the top ten population growth |
| Economic BUMP Return to index of stories... |
If you'd like more information on the New England Economic Project and the forecast prepared by Ross Gittell, visit neepecon-dot-org. If you want a copy of the report Dennis Delay prepared for psnh, go to pshn-dot-com. You can download a copy of the New Hampshire Economic Review which provides data and statistics on key economic indicator, population trends, and more. |
| Intro E-Peaks Return to index of stories... |
The economy in the Mt. Washington Valley region of our state is largely dependent on tourism, which is why there is an ongoing effort to diversify the economy by attracting technology based companies. Theresa Kennett takes a look at some collaborative efforts that are bringing tech companies and tech workers to the North Country. |
| E-Peaks Return to index of stories... |
Todd Miller: 1:09:13 - 1:09:37 I have brought several people in here, you know and often, I have said, "gee lets do that meeting but let's do it up in Conway NH". "Where the heck is that? There are moose up there?" They come up here and they see what goes on and in about two days they realize my god this is possible to exist up here to have this wonderful lifestyle in this beautiful place and still be in technology. But how do I relocate my business up here? Todd Miller is the Director of Membership and Communications for E-Peaks, a technology focused, volunteer driven non-profit organization. Stand up: at 1:23:12 -:30 The E-Peaks Group meets here at the Moat Mountain Smoke House the second Thursday of each month to provide a forum for networking and education, activities the members say create new opportunities for technology professionals in Mt. Washington Valley. Todd at 5:20 Again we have over 100 members now, many of whom are employed currently or are looking for work. But have relocated to this area from technology businesses else where in the country. So that is a big part of our goal is to say yeah there are people here and to communicate the message about living and working here and grow that resource pool. John Bruni at 7:57 - One of the first things that I found that no one really had a handle on the number of people in technology and what there skill sets were up here in the north country. John Bruni is the founder of E-Peaks. He and his wife Deede worked in the computer industry for 37 years before retiring to live in the Mt. Washington Valley. John Bruni @ 8:32 I mean technology is an industry up here and just like any industry they need to know who is there so that they can trade off skills and trade off jobs and work with each other. So my idea was to come to some meetings, come and meet your next friend, your next associate, your next vendor, your next employee, your next boss, your next manager…. George at 1:24:47 Its such a treat for people who are in the technology field to get together with folks who talk the same language, and who are facing the same issues and the same problems and E-Peaks provides a great service that way…. George Epstein, a member of E-peaks, owns the Echo Group, a 120 person software company located in Conway. He says one of the challenges that large technology companies face in the North Country is affordable T-1 lines. 1:27:06 - I will say that we are able to buy the service and were able to get reliable service but we really are confronted with a significant price differential whether its 50% or 100% more is the cost we're confronted with up here. Epstein says as long as broadband services are not subsidized and regulated by government, North Country businesses needing large quantities of broadband will pay more. 1:31:22 And what I think that what America and New Hampshire political folks need to ask themselves is whether the access to broadband is the sort of thing should be an equal opportunity thing throughout the state. ……. Epstein did say that small businesses in the North Country can purchase broadband at rates comparable to those in southern NH. Epstein 1:30:17 DSL and cable are important options for the small business up here. Reliablility of the services hasn't been great up here. Its hard to maintain that reliability and its not something that we think is consistent performance. Rob Casella at 20:56 That has been a major concern. Our very first e-peaks meeting included a guest speaker on the issue of broadband we've had four of them since. So we can tell them yes it is available and it is affordable. The industry is still growing and mature, however, businesses can survive and grow up here. Rob Casella is the president of E-Peaks. He says the relationships he's developed through the organization have allowed him to tap into vendor resources as well as an employee pool. Rob at 17:02 My business, Northledge Technologies is a solution provider for businesses and homeowners here in the valley and its good to know what resources are available locally and what different people are working on, different projects, different things like that. John Bruni at 9:19 I have seen the trade off so that their skills can be used. And we now know at least within the realm of the group how many c++ programmers are here how many network engineers are here. That is the type of thing that we need to know as a group, as economic development, as a community. Todd Miller at 1:09:39 One of the very first questions is what do you have for skills up there? Or more importantly what do you have for infrastructure and tools to help develop those skills. Bob Corrigan - NH Tech. 40:00 The state of NH has put its money where its money is, by emphasizing training for business and industry. Basically they have put a million dollars on the line for training for businesses. This program is called Job Training Program for Economic Growth. - NH Technical Community College representatives were the guest speakers at the E-Peaks October meeting. President Karen Sue Grosz, Bob Corrigan and Professor Jeff Schall introduced E-Peaks members a grant funded training program that will allow the college to develop a curriculum around the needs of area businesses. George at 1:33:10 one of the things that I am confident of and encouraged by is that both the tech college and cll recognize that there is a need and beginning to fill the need. Jump cut to 1:34:29 One of the other things that is really cooking up here are more options with regard to the financing of technology companies. Locally, a new group called First Run Investment Group, an angel investment group, has been established. There is a revolving loan fund that is willing to put up riskier loans than banks typically would and we have nice connections with venture firms as well for companies that have a greater cash need. Go to Rob at 18:55 The technology industry here in the valley is growing and that presents tremendous opportunity for technological businesses and small businesses and people that are looking to grow their skills in technology From the Moat Smoke House in North Conway, I'm Theresa Kennett for NH Outlook. |
| Intro Segway Return to index of stories... |
Finally, the brainchild of Manchester-based inventor Dean Kamen is getting a workout at the nation's capitol. Several New Hampshire lawmakers are trying to pave the way for Segway's success. But, as Boston University Washington Journalism Intern Marjorie Wilkinson reports, the advocates of the motorized scooter have hit a few bumps in the road along the way. |
| Tag Segway Return to index of stories... |
The Segway has already been approved for use on locally funded sidewalks in 32 states including New Hampshire and has been available to consumers since last December. But with a price tag raging from three thousand to over five thousand dollars it's unlikely that they will be taking over the sidewalks anytime soon even if Congress passes the necessary legislation. For now, the Segway remains most popular with organizations like the police and postal workers. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - Imagine living in a home only to have the State take it away. We'll look at the practice of eminent domain as state officials re-examine the policy. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK AIR DATE/TIME: 10/28/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair LENGTH: 25:46 MINUTES In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly new magazine, we're focusing on Business in the granite state. We begin with the newest economic forcast for the region by the New England Economic Project releases its newest forecast for the region. The picture is brighter in some states than others according to two of NEEP's top economists. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair PARTICIPANTS: Ross Gittell\Whittemore School of Business & Economics Dennis Delay\PSNH, Senior Economist |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK AIR DATE/TIME: 10/28/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair LENGTH: 25:46 MINUTES In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly new magazine, we're focusing on Business in the granite state. We continue with a report on the North Country and it's dependence on tourism, which is why there is an ongoing effort to diversify the economy by attracting technology based companies. Theresa Kennett takes a look at some collaborative efforts that are bringing tech companies and tech workers to the North Country. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Theresa Kennett PARTICIPANTS: Todd Miller\E-Peaks Director John Bruni\E-Peaks Director Rob Casella\E-Peaks President George Epstein\Echo Management Group |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK AIR DATE/TIME: 10/28/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair LENGTH: 25:46 MINUTES In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly new magazine, we're focusing on Business in the granite state. Finally, the brainchild of Manchester-based inventor Dean Kamen is getting a workout at the nation's capitol. Several New Hampshire lawmakers are trying to pave the way for Segway's success. But, as Boston University Washington Journalism Intern Marjorie Wilkinson reports, the advocates of the motorized scooter have hit a few bumps in the road along the way. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Theresa Kennett PARTICIPANTS: Officer Ronald Sellner \Capitol Police Deputy Chief Marsha Krug\Capitol Police Marjorie Wilkinson\NH Outlook Dr. Jerome Paulson\George Washington University School of Medicine Barbara Harsha\Exec Dir, Governor's Highway Safety Assoc Rep. Charles Bass\R - Congressional District 2 |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |