Workforce Development in the Souhegan Valley Discussed Oct. 13

AMHERST, NH — Local businesses are facing a crisis in the lack of a plentiful, skilled workforce. Although the unemployment rate is low, businesses cannot find the workers they need to grow and demand. The Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting a presentation that will examine the reasons for this crisis and discuss how our education system, demographics and health of our residents affect this issue, as well as how the opioid crisis is affecting the workforce pool, according to a press statement.

This event is free and open to the public – Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Souhegan High School in the Information Resource Room, second floor.

Special guest speakers are Carmen Lorentz, the director of NH Division of Economic Development and Matt Mowry, the editor of Business NH Magazine.

The economic climate of New Hampshire and our Souhegan Valley region is changing and creating challenges to continued growth. A number of factors are impacting these changes, such as demographics, our business climate and the rural/suburban nature of area and state. In this series, we will examine five of the factors affecting or prohibiting the potential economic development of the Souhegan Valley and New Hampshire as a whole.

From September to January, the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and Nashua Regional Planning Commission will host a speakers series, bringing a panel together to discuss these factors. Our purpose is to educate, spark discussion and broaden understanding of the issues to our citizens. Many thanks to our sponsors, The Cabinet Press, HPM Insurance and Santander Bank.

The Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce promotes successful relationships for the business and civic community in the eleven towns of the Souhegan Valley. The Chamber supports economic development and growth, as well as valuable local information and referrals to businesses and the general public.

For more information, visit souhegan.net or telephone 673-4360.

Caption: Carmen Lorentz, director of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development; Matt Mowry, editor, Business NH Magazine.

Submitted by Tracy Hutchins.