TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012
VOL. 20 NO. 199
BERLIN, N.H.
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Chamber’s annual meeting focuses on three major success stories BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
SHELBURNE – With construction underway on the new biomass plant, a new tissue machine being installed at the Gorham mill, and hiring underway at the federal prison, it’s no wonder the mood was celebratory at the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Friday night. The gathering attracted a record turnout to hear updates on the three major projects and enjoy some good economic news after the struggles of the last five years. Deborah Schult, warden at the federal prison, summed up the feeling of the crowd when she recalled saying at last year’s meeting it was not a question of if the 1,700-bed facility would open but when. “I’m happy to say when is now,” she said. John Halle, president of Cate Street Capital and Berlin BioPower, Willis Blevins of Gorham Paper and Tissue, and Schult were asked questions about their respective projects by moderator Charlie Sherman, former WMUR sports director and current head of New Horizons. Joining the three business leaders
was George Bald, head of the N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development. Berlin BioPower John Halle said construction of the 75-megawatt biomass plant is going well and the project is ahead of schedule because of the mild winter. The former black liquor boiler at the former pulp mill site is being converted into a fluidized bed boiler than will burn an estimated 750,000 tons of biomass per year. A turbine will be installed that will produce the electricity that will be sold to Public Service of N.H. The size of the workforce working on the construction will vary as the project moves through stages. About 90 people are currently employed. That number will increase dramatically this spring when the project ramps up. Halle said the schedule calls for the plant to be completed by April 2013 at a cost of about $278 million. Halle said the biomass plant will be operated by Delta Power Management and the company will take advantage of the skilled workforce in the area. Approximately 40 to 48 people will be employed to operate the facility with an annual payroll of about
The Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce annual meeting celebrated “The Big 3 of 2012”. Cate Street Capital President and CEO John Halle, Gorham Paper and Tissue General Manager Willis Blevins, and Bureau of Prisons Warden Deborah Schult provided updates on their respective operations while N.H. Commissioner of DRED George Bald discussed the state efforts to recruit businesses to the North Country. Former WMUR sports director and New Horizons Executive Director Charlie Sherman served as moderator for the panel discussion. (BARBARA TETREAULT PHOTO).
$2.8 million. The biomass plant will also purchase over $20 million of low grade wood every year and make property tax payments to the city. Cate Street Capital is actively working to attract other companies to co-locate on the property. Halle said they are seek-
ing sustainable, environmental friendly types of businesses for the site. Gorham Paper and Tissue Willis Blevins said a drive by the mill will show the progress on Building 33 which is being rebuilt to house the new see SUCCESS page 7
Top Furniture honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by Chamber BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce President Joanne Roy (l) And Chamber board member Bernie Guay (r) presented Donna Goodrich of Top Furniture with the chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award at Friday’s annual meeting at the Town and Country Motor Inn. (BARBARA TETREAULT PHOTO)
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SHELBURNE – Top Furniture was honored with the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award at Friday’s annual meeting held at the Town and Country Motor Inn. The annual meeting attracted a record crowd of over 240 who turned out to hear updates on Burgess BioPower, Gorham Paper and Tissue, and the federal prison. Chamber President Joanne Roy announced that the chamber will finance a NH Grand Kiosk for Gorham that will be installed simultaneously with the one awarded Berlin under the $200,000 grant obtained by Northern Community Investment Corporation to install kiosks throughout Coos County. The visitor kiosks are designed to make it easier for travelers to learn what a destination has to offer. Re-elected for another term were President Joanne Roy of Northland Restaurant,
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Vice President Mark Belanger of N.H. Employment Security, Treasurer Bronson Frizzell of Citizens Bank, and Secretary Lucy Letarte of Caron Building Center. Board member Bernie Guay presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Donna Goodrich, grand daughter of Top Furniture founder Alfred Tourangeau. Guay presented the following history of the business. In 1950, Alfred “Top” Tourangeau began his adventure on Main Street in Berlin, across from Northway Bank. With a mission of offering quality furniture, appliances, and televisions to his customers, and the ability of customers to make weekly payments, Top wanted to help the families of the North Country. In 1961, against everyone’s advice Top and Margaret, along with his son Dick and his wife Sally, built a brand new store down on Route 16 in Gorham. Top believed see TOP page 6
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