In today’s Business Extra, we asked entrepreneurs and businesspeople to tell us about their experience of operating their companies in the Monadnock region. What we heard over and over again is how the support of the community and quality of life here outweighs the challenges, and how local relationships can help industry succeed.
Though his closest market is four hours away in New York City, Tod Von Mertens, of Hancock, is expanding his furniture making business here in Peterborough, where he grew up, because he wants his family to enjoy what the region has to offer.
It took some time to develop a network of quality suppliers and machinists for his business’ specific needs, whereas in Seattle they could all be found within a 10-block radius of his metalwork shop, but Von Mertens said the investment of time has paid off. Low overhead here in the Monadnock region has meant he can keep his prices lower than his competitors’, without sacrificing quality.
In “Workforce development key to Monadnock region’s future,”Jim Roche, of the Business & Industry Association, wrote about the growing concern over workforce development, especially in the advanced manufacturing industry. He writes, “The workforce development challenge facing these employers…is pronounced as the pool of suitable entry-level candidates grows more shallow. This is also true in the areas of health care, professional and financial services, high technology, and other sectors.”
Roche emphasizes the importance of relationships between industry and education, pointing to the one N.H. Ball Bearings has with ConVal High School for the development of manufacturing coursework.
Chuck Crawford, president of Kimball Physics in Wilton, told us good relationships with area high schools and community colleges, as well as a thriving internship program, has helped the electron source manufacturer maintain a steady influx of skilled workers over the years. He said relationships with the wider community has benefited the company, too.
In our Q&A section, several business owners discussed the importance of being active in the community and supporting other business owners.
Just as relationships and community are important to those living in the Monadnock region, they’re also essential to a successful business. It stands to reason that the type of business the region attracts are those that want to make the investment.