CONCORD: The NH Liquor Commission (NHLC) has been recognized as the best alcohol beverage control state in the country for the third time by StateWays Magazine in its annual Control State Best Practices Awards for “best-in-class allocated whiskey programs,” its commitment to responsible service and consumption, technological innovation and the impact it has made on the Granite State over the past 90 years.
MANCHESTER: The NH Food Bank (NHFB) has received a $195,000 national grant to strengthen its advocacy work on behalf of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative. The New Hampshire Food Bank was awarded the grant from Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and local meal programs. NHFB is also partnering with New Hampshire Hunger Solutions to expand its community advocacy capacity, increase engagement with SNAP recipients and strengthen policy and advocacy coalitions at the state and regional levels.
CONCORD: Bank of America announced last month that it has raised its U.S. minimum hourly wage to $25 per hour. With the increase, the minimum annualized salary for full-time employees in the U.S. will rise to more than $50,000. The increase, which goes into effect in early October, applies to all full-time and part-time hourly positions in the U.S., affecting thousands of employees across the nation and helping to fuel the growth of the American economy and create job opportunities that strengthen the communities the company serves. The Bank currently has 290 employees and 15 local financial centers in New Hampshire, where many new starting pay positions are based.
EPPING: Funded in part through the NH Community Development Finance Authority, Merrimack County Savings Bank has pledged $10,000 towards the construction of Redberry Farm, 32 housing units for individuals with developmental disabilities in Epping. Once complete, Redberry Farm will consist of eight buildings in a cul-de-sac community, allowing each residential farmer to have their own one-bedroom apartment. While the focus is on residential and day programming, Redberry Farm incorporates outdoor and community-based activities to promote relaxation, interaction and participation.
CONCORD: Consolidated Communications is uniting its residential, business and wholesale lines of business under fiber internet and network services brand Fidium. Fidium now represents all the company’s fiber-based solutions nationwide and more than 75% of its broadband customers. The company has invested approximately $1.7 billion in fiber infrastructure since 2020, expanding its footprint to more than 700 communities and earning recognition as one of the nation’s top 10 fiber networks by route miles. Consolidated President and CEO Bob Udell will retire at the end of 2025 and join the board of directors as vice chairman, with chief operating officer Gaurav Juneja set to become CEO at the start of 2026.
