WASHINGTON, D.C.: New Hampshire was the second-safest state for workers in America in 2019, according to a report released by the AFL-CIO. The report, which is based on data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, found that 11 New Hampshire workers were killed on the job in 2019, and there were 1.5 deaths due to on-the-job injuries per 1000,000 workers in New Hampshire in 2019. Nationally, 5,333 working people were killed on the job, and an estimated 95,000 died from occupational diseases. The overall rate of fatal job injuries in 2019 was 3.5 per 100,000.
LACONIA: Beer tents and vendor spaces will be allowed at full capacity during this year’s Laconia Motorcycle Week rally. The Laconia City Council opted to avoid stronger, pandemic-related restrictions. Instead, the city will work to ensure best practices are followed, including sanitizing stations, lifting up tent walls to improve airflow, and requiring 25 feet of separation between entertainers and the crowd. Chairs and tables will be put in beer tents with adequate spacing to ensure people will be able to sit down and practice some social distancing.
LOUDON: One of the most visible businesses in new, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, is preparing for as much of a return to normal in 2021 following a year of canceled 2020 events due to the pandemic. The first major event of the summer at the Speedway will be Motorcycle Week from June 12-20, which coincides with Laconia Motorcycle Week and includes the 98th Annual Loudon Classic, the longest-running motorcycle race in America. The showcase NASCAR weekend is July 17-18, featuring the Whelen 100 and Foxwoods Resort Casino 301.
PORTSMOUTH: Ben VanCamp, who for four years has served as vice president of the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, has been named the next president of the organization. VanCamp succeeds Valerie Rochon, who has been leader of the Chamber Collaborative since 2016. VanCamp has worked for the Chamber Collaborative since 2017.
LONDONDERRY: About 260 acres of Mack’s Apples orchard property in Londonderry has been sold for about $338,000 to an LLC called MHO Acquisition. MHO appears to stand for Moose Hill Orchards, the traditional name of the land and Mack’s Apples’ parent company name. The property has been in the Mack family for nearly three centuries. The transaction appears to involve younger members of the Mack family, who are purchasing the property. The town of Londonderry owns the property’s development rights in perpetuity, and Town Council Chair John Farrell said the property will continue as a farm as required.
HANOVER: Hypertherm has signed a pair of pledges committing to be more inclusive in both hiring and advancement of current employees. The first pledge, called Pledge for Action and organized by the National Association of Manufacturers, seeks to increase employees at Hypertherm from “underrepresented communities.” The second is called CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, an initiative launched by executives from such corporations as Accenture, Deloitte, New York Life and Procter & Gamble.
MANCHESTER: The NH Tech Alliance is seeking nominations for its annual TechWomen awards, which recognize women “who are driving innovation, influencing technology companies and are passionate about the technology community here in our state.” Nominees should be women who have been effective in supporting STEM/technology education or further the advancement of women and girls in the tech sector as a student, teacher or professional. The awards will be presented at the sixth annual TechWomen Annual Luncheon, which will be held virtually this year on June 23. For more information, visit nhtechalliance.org.
DURHAM: The University of New Hampshire has been issued a registered certification mark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to label white oak sourced in New England and market certified New England white oak barrels to beverage producers. The certification mark is the first of its kind for the industry in the United States.
