Unitil Supports USS New Hampshire Commissioning with $5,000 Gold Level Sponsorship
Portsmouth NH (October 13, 2008) - Unitil has joined the crew of the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee by making a $5,000 Gold Level sponsorship commitment to ensure a "gold standard" community celebration in conjunction with the commissioning of the new submarine USS New Hampshire on October 25th.
In making the announcement, Bob Schoenberger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Unitil said, "Unitil is proud to salute the officers and crew of the USS New Hampshire, as well as the fine men and women of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard who contributed their skills and labour in support of its commissioning. Our employees, and the employees of Northern Utilities and Granite State Gas Transmission who will be joining the Unitil Team in the near future, are proud to be a part of the New Hampshire history and heritage this vessel commemorates."
Mike Daigle, finance chair of the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee said, "We are grateful to Unitil for stepping forward to support the community effort to welcome the USS New Hampshire for the historic occasion of her Commissioning. The Committee is still seeing a shortfall in funding for the financial obligations inherent in hosting the Commissioning here in Portsmouth, so this donation comes at an especially good time. We have less than two weeks to go."
Unitil Corporation ("Unitil") is a public utility holding company with subsidiaries providing electric distribution service in New Hampshire, electric and gas distribution service in Massachusetts and energy brokering services throughout the northeast. Its utility subsidiaries, Unitil Energy Systems, Inc. and Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company, currently serve 115,000 customers in 37 communities in the capital and seacoast regions of New Hampshire and in north central Massachusetts. Usource L.L.C., a unit of Unitil's non-regulated subsidiary Unitil Resources, Inc., provides energy brokering services to more than 400 large energy users throughout the northeast. Unitil's other subsidiaries include Unitil Power Corp., Unitil Realty Corp. and Unitil Service Corp.
On February 15, 2008, Unitil entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with NiSource, Inc. ("NiSource") and Bay State Gas Company, a wholly owned utility subsidiary of NiSource, to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Northern and Granite for $160 million plus a net working capital adjustment. Northern's principal business is the retail distribution of natural gas to approximately 53,000 customers located in 44 coastal New Hampshire and southern Maine communities. Granite is a natural gas transmission company, principally engaged in the business of providing natural gas transportation services to Northern for its access to natural gas pipeline supplies. Unitil expects this transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2008.
The Committee estimates that the cost of the community celebration will be approximately $300,000, based on the experience of other cities who have hosted US Navy Commissioning events. Sponsorships are available at many levels, from $25,000 Marquis Sponsors to $3 donations from individuals who receive an Official USS New Hampshire Commissioning Celebration button in return. Visit www.ussnewhampshire.org and click on "Support Our Submarine" or for more information about USS NEW HAMPSHIRE Commissioning Celebration sponsorship opportunities, call Mike Daigle at 603-778-8985 or email mdaigle@datarisk.com
The USS New Hampshire Commissioning Committee operates under the auspices of the Navy League of New Hampshire, Portsmouth NH Council, a 501(c)3 organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by IRS regulations. Tax ID#51-0668823
Events
10/19 USS New Hampshire arrived in Portsmouth 11:15 am
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Thru 11/2 Scarecrows of the Port Festival
Downtown merchants present first annual "Scarecrows in the Port" harvest festival, commissioning celebration and welcome to the crew and their families.
10/25/2008 US Navy Commissioning Ceremony, 10 am
10/27/2008 USS New Hampshire departs, 12:20 pm