New Hampshire is among the leading states where people are moving during the pandemic, according to a recently released study of migration patterns.

The study, from moving company Atlas Van Lines, tracks the rate of people either moving into or out of a state. New Hampshire was fourth on the list, with a 61.6% inbound move rate, just behind No. 3 Maine, at 62.4%. In other words, over 60% of the moves recorded in each state were by households locating within its borders, as opposed to relocating elsewhere.

According to Atlas, which has conducted the migration study since 1993, the Covid-19 pandemic was a deciding factor in moving patterns in 2020 as millions of Americans relocated in 2020 because of the virus. They moved out of college dorms that abruptly closed, moved back to home states to work remotely and moved out of housing that no longer suited their lifestyle, among other reasons. In addition, companies relocated employees at much lower rates for work assignments in the U.S. and abroad, according to Atlas.

The state with the highest inbound percentage was Idaho, at 66.4%. The state with the highest outbound migration rates was New York, 66.4%.

— JEFF FEINGOLD

Building on Hope, the volunteer organization that brings together designers, architects, builders, subcontractors and suppliers to renovate a nonprofit organization’s facilities, recently completed a $2.27 million community-funded renovation of the Nashua PAL Youth Safe Haven. Nearly 400 businesses and volunteers worked together to completely transform the building. It was Building on Hope’s sixth renovation project and was the largest undertaken so far by the organization.

Holly and Willard Williams, owners of the Toadstool Bookstores in Peterborough, Keene and Nashua, have won the NH Retailer of the Year Award from the NH Retail Association. In presenting the award, the association said the bookshops “are known for their customer-focused attitude and employee retention” and “are an excellent example of a New Hampshire family business and very deserving of this recognition.”