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N H B R.C O M
IN BRIEF
Maria Devlin named new president of FIT-NH
Business owners share worries with Shaheen over PPP provisions
Several small businesses and non- “nothing regarding forgiveness was back to Washington. “I think the issue is not the intent profits across New Hampshire told in writing. I signed paperwork that I U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen that the got a loan and I was going to pay it (of forgiveness) but reassurance and Paycheck Protection Program has back in two years. I would like to use guidance,” Shaheen said. The hour-long conference call was a provided much needed short–term it for hazard pay, bonus pay, but withrelief to keep employees on the pay- out rules for forgiveness I don’t feel wide-ranging discussion of the expeNASHUA REGION LAKES REGION UNTRY roll in the midst of the Covid-19 pan- safe using the money, so I am using rience of businesses and nonprofits that have successfully applied for a demic, but they also had complaints as little as possible.” As a seasonal business, Levin said PPP loan. Shaheen said she was lookabout the program including uncerthe requirement he maintain staff- ing for input she could take to Washtainty about loan forgiveness. Dave and Melissa Levin, owners of ing levels as one of the conditions for ington to make improvements. “My hope is I can learn what is Mad River Coffee House in Campton, loan forgiveness is simply not reasonBUSINESS TECH, ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, HOSPITALS, BANKING, PERSONAL FINANCE,inENERGY good and changes you would like to told Shaheen a conference call ear- able. OW: FEATURE STORY AND JUMPS, IN BRIEF, FLOTSAM, LAW, OPINIONS, THElier LATEST, “There is no proof that come July 1 see,” Shaheen said. “There are chalthis ABOUT monthTOWN that the process to obW: REAL ESTATE + CONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, TOURISM, NEWS, CHARITABLE GIVING, MORE ONLINE tain an $82,000 loan went smoothly I’m going to need the same staffing lenges that have arisen with the proW: AREA GRAPHICS, another TOURISM choice, CALENDAR, LAST WORD because of a strong relationship with we had in the middle of the White gram,” she acknowledged. “It has not worked exactly as intended and their bank, but Dave Levin said he is Mountains ski season,” Levin said. Levin’s comments were echoed by some of that is a result of how quickly reluctant to spend the money without fully understanding the require- Adria Bagshaw, owner of WH Bag- it came together.” In response to several participants shaw, a Nashua-based manufacturer ments for forgiveness. who said their money for eight weeks Under the PPP, small businesses of pins. can receive 1% U.S. Small Business “There is no proof, senator, that the of payroll will run out in June, ShaAdministration loans through their loan will be forgiven,” Bagshaw told heen said a fourth stimulus package bank. To be forgivable, 75% of the Shaheen. “There is nothing in the loan will likely be forthcoming but said it is too early to say what type of asmoney must be spent on payroll over guarantee we signed.” Maria Devlin, president and CEO, curShaheen said she was sympathet- sistance will be included. an eight-week period and the rest on rently CEO of the American Red Cross ic to both Levin and Bagshaw and mortgage interest, rent or utilities. — PATRICK O’GRADY/GRANITE for Northern New England, has been STATE NEWS COLLABORATIVE Levin said that in the loan closing, promised to bring their concerns named the new president of Families in Transition-New Horizons, which provides food, shelter and other services of a $1 million grant application CONCORD: John Foster of HAMPTON: Planet Fitness for homeless people and families in to the Northern Borders Regional Portsmouth has been sentenced is facing a potential class action New Hampshire. Commission. Devlin, who starts her new job at to over four years in federal prison lawsuit filed by a member who alFIT-NH on June 15, succeeds Maureen for persuading people to give him leges the New Hampshire-based Beauregard, the founder of the organithousands of dollars for lobster gym chain charged membership zation who last year took over as CEO shipments and business projects fees despite the facilities closing of Easterseals New Hampshire. She was that never came through. Court their doors due to the coronavirus selected after an extensive national documents said Foster owned J.O. pandemic. The member, a Georgia search, the organization said. Foods, which facilitated the pur- resident, alleges Planet Fitness A New Hampshire native, Devlin has chase and shipment of food to for- debited $19.99 from his bank acCONCORD: $400 million in over 30 years of nonprofit experience. eign countries. He agreed to send count on March 18, well after his federal coronavirus relief funds will Before the American Red Cross, she several thousand pounds of lobster local franchise closed in the first be available to New Hampshire’s was interim executive director and dito Vietnam. A customer agreed to week of March due to the pandemsmall businesses and another $60 rector of public affairs for the Children’s pay J.O. Foods $145,500, and Fos- ic. Planet Fitness hasn’t yet filed a million to nonprofits. The money Alliance of New Hampshire (now New ter falsely assured the company legal response, but in a statement, will come from New Hampshire’s CONCORD: New Hampshire’s that the lobster was being shipped. a company spokesperson said, Futures Kids Count), an organization $1.25 billion in relief aid received lawmakers will be returning for that advocates, educates and collabo“We believe this lawsuit is without last month. Businesses can fill legislative sessions in June, but rates to improve the health and wellmerit.” out pre-grant applications through meeting outside of their respective ness of New Hampshire residents. May 29 at revenue.nh.gov or goferr. chambers at the State House — the “Maria’s broad experience navigatnh.gov. Those that are approved first time since the Civil War. Instead ing the unique needs of the nonprofit would have to fill out a second ap- of meeting at Representatives Hall, world combined with her lifelong complication to get final approval. the 400-member House will meet munity connections in New Hampshire at the Whittemore Center at the makes her a perfect fit for the FIT-NH University of New Hampshire in Durfamily and its mission in service of the LACONIA: A modified redevel- ham, where the UNH hockey team statewide community,” said Scott Elopment plan for the former Laconia plays its games, on June 11. “We lison, chair of the organization’s board. State School campus would create need a place that is large enough to “She is a compassionate leader with 150 direct and indirect jobs, attract allow us to socially distance while a business savvy that is exactly what $7 million in private development not being so large as to create its we need to continue to successfully and generate $160,000 annually in own logistical problems,” House HUDSON: Hillwood Enterprises is proposing to build the Hudson Lonavigate the unique challenges of this property taxes for the city, accord- Speaker Stephen Shurtleff said in gistics Center, a 2.6 million-square-foot house a distribution center at the pandemic while preparing to serve ing to a study by economist Russ an announcement. The 24-member longtime Green Meadow Golf Club. Hillwood anticipates that once operacommunity needs long into the future.”
Thibeault of Applied Economic Resources. The plan is the foundation
Senate will meet in Representatives Hall at a date to be determined.
tional, the center would be the town’s largest employer. Hillwood said it hopes to start construction this fall and open in the fall of 2021.
