Rochester Chamber seeking award nominations
ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the Chamber’s Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Rochester’s Citizen of the Year Awards.
The Business of the Year Award recognizes a Chamber member business in good standing that has demonstrated excellence in their business and has made substantial contributions to its industry and the Rochester area. Businesses are invited to submit a nomination for this prestigious award.
The Non-Profit of the Year Award recognizes an organization that has sustainable impact in the Rochester community. Organizations are invited to submit a nomination for this prestigious award.
The Educator of the Year Award recognizes a local educator that has demonstrated excellence in their profession and has made substantial contributions to their students and the community.
The Citizen of the Year Award is presented to an adult in Rochester/northern Strafford County who has made sustainable contributions to the community as a whole. Activities should be over and above the normal duties of one’s paid position and need not be confined to a single year. Activities do need to be recent enough to have current significance.
Nominations must include the name and address of the business, organization, educator, or individual being nominated, distinguished activities for which the business, organization or individual is being nominated, including supporting documentation, along with contact information of the individual or organization submitting the nomination. Nomination forms are available now for the 2025 awards at https://www.rochesternh.org/business-non-profit-citizen-of-the-year-awards/.
Upon completing nomination form(s), send to the Awards Committee, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, 18 South Main St., Rochester, NH 03867 or emailed by March 10, to lring@rochesternh.org.
Sanford/Springvale Chamber welcomes Great East Alpacas & Llamas
ACTON, Maine — The Sanford/Springvale Chamber paid a visit to Great East Alpaca to cut the ribbon as new chamber members recently. Pam and David Hall raise Alpaca’s & Llama’s in Acton Maine, run a farm store with clothing products such as hats, gloves, socks and much more made from Alpaca wool, and also offer farm visits to see their wonderful animals. They are located at 699 Foxes Ridge Road Acton, Maine. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Join them on Facebook. Great East Alpacas & Llamas can be reached at 207-939-5711, greateastalpacas@icloud.com or join them on Facebook.
Rochester Chamber invites the community to ancient Greece
ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce has announced today that it will be visiting magical Greece and is inviting chamber members, and family and friends of chamber members to join them on this once in a lifetime experience. This is a fabulous, 10-day trip that will depart from Boston, Massachusetts on Nov. 9, 2025.
A special informational meeting to learn about this fabulous trip will be held at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce on Monday, March 31, at 6 p.m. To register to attend this special trip informational meeting and download a trip brochure, visit www.rochesternh.org/greece.
For more information about this trip through Collette Tours, call or email Melinda at Horizon Travel Agency at 603-742-7664, or email melinda.nyberg@gmail.com.
Earth Eagle Brewings to host Rochester Chamber Business After Hours
ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce announced that Earth Eagle Brewings will host a Business After Hours on Tuesday, March 18, from 5:30-7 p.m. This special event will take place at 350 NH-108, Suite 208 in Somersworth, in Barclay Square Industrial Park. There is plenty of free parking on site.
With their brewery and restaurant, Earth Eagle Brewings offers a wide variety of craft beers made on site, an extensive food menu, and a full bar. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process with owner Alex McDonald while you sample some delicious craft brews.
Those attending should plan to bring plenty of business cards for networking and door prizes. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided and the bar will be open. To register to attend this Business After Hours, visit: rochesternh.org/marchbah.
CDFA awards tax credits to support property renovation for Our Place NH
DOVER — Our Place NH‘s mission is to provide residential options, services and support designed to meet the needs of adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. The Dover-based nonprofit recently purchased its first property in August that will establish supportive housing for their clients. MVSB (Meredith Village Savings Bank) has stepped up to support renovation of the property with the purchase $10,000 in tax credits through the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). Our Place NH still has $61,000 in tax credits to offer to New Hampshire business owners.
Our Place NH’s goal is to proactively address an orderly transition of care for adults with developmental disabilities from their aging parents to a stable, reliable and caring environment. The organization provides each individual with surroundings that are conducive to long term friendships and a sense of wellbeing and self-worth. Go to ourplacenh.org to learn more. Email aboudreau@ourplacenh.org for more information about supporting Our Place NH via CDFA tax credits.