The New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Honors NH Lenders at the Annual Granite State Awards
Recipients recognized for their exceptional work in helping New Hampshire businesses grow.
Manchester, NH – October 15, 2024 – The New Hampshire Business Finance Authority (NHBFA) is proud to announce the honorees of this year’s Granite State Awards, celebrating their remarkable contributions in helping New Hampshire businesses access critical capital for growth and success.
For the fourth consecutive year, the NHBFA has recognized five exceptional lenders for their outstanding efforts in utilizing BFA programs. Their dedication has facilitated loans that have been crucial in supporting the growth of local businesses across the state.
James Key-Wallace, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, expressed his appreciation, stating, “These incredible lenders have consistently worked to ensure that New Hampshire businesses have the access to capital they need to grow. The Granite State Awards highlight their significant role in creating jobs and boosting our economy. Through their collaboration with the BFA, businesses in New Hampshire can secure the funding necessary to expand and provide quality jobs for Granite Staters.”
The award ceremony took place at the Factory on Willow in Manchester, where the following lenders were recognized for their achievements:
- Ike Papadopoulos of Stifel received the award for “Bond Deal of the Year” for his work on Pennichuck Water, to help with upgrades to the company’s water supply and water distribution installations and upgrades to provide safe drinking water to their customers.
- Peter Rayno of Enterprise Bank was honored with the “Community Impact Award” for securing financing for Marguerite’s Place, a nonprofit in Nashua that provides transitional housing and services to women and children, empowering families in need.
- John Bortolotto of Mascoma Bank earned the “Loan Participation of the Year” award for his pivotal role in supporting Lilly’s Fresh Pasta. His efforts were instrumental in helping the company grow its operations and relocate from Massachusetts to Manchester, New Hampshire.
- Katie Reid of Bank of New Hampshire was recognized as “CAP Lender of the Year” for closing the most CAP loans of any NH lender. This year the BFA made 61 CAP loans delivering over $6.6 million dollars to small businesses across the state. These small business loans helped support a total of 618 jobs across New Hampshire
- Meredith Village Savings Bank was awarded the “Veteran Deal of the Year” for its support of Thresher Diver’s Surf Shop, a veteran-owned business. This deal reflects the bank’s commitment to empowering veteran entrepreneurs and fostering job creation within the local community.
The NHBFA extends its gratitude to these outstanding lenders for their continued commitment to New Hampshire’s economic growth and the success of its businesses.
About the NHBFA:
The New Hampshire Business Finance Authority (NHBFA) was established with the aim of fostering economic development and employment opportunities in New Hampshire. The NHBFA achieves these objectives by collaborating with New Hampshire’s banking, business, and economic development sectors to expand the availability of credit in the state. The NHBFA’s diverse customer base includes manufacturers, small and medium-sized businesses, high- growth industries, healthcare providers, and nonprofit educational and cultural organizations.
For more information about the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, please contact the BFA at 603-415-0190 or visit their website at NHBFA.com.
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