Company: La Valley Building Supply, Inc.
Headquarters: Newport, New Hampshire
Industry: Building Supplies
Company Size: Small (annual revenues of less than $50 million)

"Culture builds community and we're in the business of helping to build great things."

- Geraldine La Valley, Treasurer

Objectives
To preserve historic buildings in the community, to make the arts more accessible to all, and to foster creativity among employees and members of the community.

Process

• La Valley Building Supplies owners and employees work with community leaders to develop plans to repurpose historic buildings - many of which face demolition - into cultural facilities.
• Employees are encouraged to participate by volunteering their skills and services, and the company donates building materials needed for the renovations.
• The company's owners and employees serve on boards of arts organizations throughout the company's operating communities, such as the Library Arts Center (LAC), Newport, NH, and the Newport Charitable Fund.
• The company also provides financial support to k-12 arts education initiatives, as well as to theater, museums, and arts groups dedicated to historic preservation.

Results
Recognized as a local retailer that gives back to its community, La Valley Building Supply has a loyal customer base and a low employee turnover rate as a result of its support to arts and cultural organizations. Its activities also give it a competitive edge, which has enabled the company to open additional stores in Claremont, North Walpole and West Lebanon, NH. And, La Valley's involvement with the arts provides the arts with new facilities, which enable them to increase and develop new audiences. (2003)

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