WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Shaheen Visits Upper Valley
Member Center:
Claremont, New Hampshire - February 19, 2009
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen was greeted by executives of Preferred Building Systems at their Claremont, N.H., factory. The first-term senator sits on the Small Business Committee in Washington and is meeting with local officials and business owners to discuss the problems they face in today's unsteady economy.
"Concern about access to credit, concern about money being available to them. Concern about health care costs, and about business assistance," said Sen. Shaheen, D-New Hampshire.
Preferred Building Systems manufactures custom built energy efficient homes. PBS is a division of LaValley Building Supply which has offices across the region, including West Lebanon. Like any business, especially those directly affected by the housing market, LaValley's is trying to keep a positive perspective in not so positive times.
"These kind of times right now, you know we have some serious challenges ahead, but with every serious challenge, it drives the innovation and we look for the creativity of our people," said Larry Huot of LaValley Building Supply.
For the first time in the company's 40 year history LaValley's has had to make a few layoffs. But owners say they are focusing on what they do well, like being engaged in all facets of home production; from milling their own lumber to direct construction on at the building site. The company also sells wood directly to other builders-- an enticing business model for people who want to buy local rather than shop at larger chains down the street.
"You get better service here and I found out that they have pretty much everything here that they have down there, they just know more about it here," customer Tim Shay said.
Customer service is one topic sure to come up as Senator Shaheen tries to figure out what-- if anything-- she can do to help.
Shaheen's visit is part of a 3-day tour of businesses across the Granite State. She says who better to explain the daily struggles than those who are directly affected by them.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
