NH veteran-friendly business applications available

CONCORD - The NH Military Leadership Team, Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services and NH Employment Security are accepting 2021 applications from New Hampshire businesses desiring recognition as a NH Veteran-Friendly Business.

Applications are available on the Dept of Military Affairs & Veterans Services website and will be accepted through August 30, 2021. https://www.dmavs.nh.gov/veteran-friendly-businesses-0/apply

In order to recognize and celebrate a broad spectrum of ways in which Granite State businesses honor, fortify, empower and impact veterans in New Hampshire, the NH Veteran-Friendly Business Recognition Program offers four levels of recognition: Bronze-Honor, Silver-Fortify, Gold-Empower and Platinum-Impact. The program is designed to provide businesses with a roadmap to increase their support of veterans and their families while moving up in levels of recognition. Applications will be accepted on an annual basis with the deadline set each year as Aug. 30. Recognition is granted for a two-year period, then businesses are encouraged to re-apply.

The NH Veteran-Friendly Business program was launched in 2020 and 19 New Hampshire businesses and organizations were awarded recognition for a two-year period as a NH Veteran-Friendly Business--these businesses and organizations have made meaningful efforts to honor, fortify, empower and impact Veteran employees, Veteran customers & consumers, and the NH Veteran community. For a list of the 2020 NH Veteran-Friendly Businesses, visit the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services website.

NH Veteran‐Friendly Businesses:

· value contributions of Service Members, Veterans & their Families in the workplace and community;

· support military and veteran families by implementing policies and practices that fortify and empower the families;

· contribute to a broader statewide effort to match talented & skilled Veterans with positions in NH businesses.

NH Veteran-Friendly Businesses enjoy a variety of benefits including a window decal identifying the business to customers as NH Veteran-Friendly, promotion of the business on the DMAVS website, networking opportunities within the state's veteran community, assistance with recruiting veteran talent through services and special recognition at NHES and the opportunity to actively participate in the development and growth of the program.

"We are grateful New Hampshire now has a formalized way to recognize local businesses that value military experience and desire to supplement it with quality services and rewarding jobs," said N.H. Adjutant General David Mikolaities. "We look forward to celebrating businesses in the Granite State that continue to care for and partner with our veterans and their families."

Two virtual Information Sessions will be held for interested businesses to learn more about the program, the application process and ask questions. July 12, 2021 1PM-2PM and August 12, 2021 3PM-4PM. No registration required. The virtual link to join these sessions will be publicly available on the NH Veteran-Friendly Business Application page on the DMAVS website: https://www.dmavs.nh.gov/veteran-friendly-businesses-0/apply

A representative from the Division of Community Based Military Programs at the Department of Military Affairs & Veterans Services is also available to speak to professional networks and groups such as Chamber of Commerces, trade associations, Rotary Clubs, etc to promote and answer questions about the program. Please contact Amy Cook at Amy.Cook@nh.gov or (603) 225-1360.

To learn more about the NH Veteran-Friendly Business program, visit https://www.dmavs.nh.gov/about-us/veteran-friendly-businesses .