Meet our October Granite Stater of the Month: Rusty Talbot
I am pleased to announce our October Granite Stater of the Month: Rusty Talbot of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire.
Rusty is the founder and owner of the North Country Climbing Center. Rusty and his wife have built a small business described as an “inclusive community,” creating an environment s welcoming to both experienced climbers and beginners. He has worked diligently to engage with various organizations throughout the community, like the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country, which empowers individuals who experience disabilities to learn rock climbing.
Rusty also has been working to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the North Country, and is involved with a variety of groups including the Franconia Notch Regional Chamber of Commerce, the North of the Notch Young Professionals Network, the Littleton Rotary Club, and the Bethlehem Colonial Theatre.
This commitment to supporting the local economy, and other small businesses in addition to his own climbing business earned Rusty the Stay Work Play’s Young Professional of the Year award. His nominator noted that Rusty has “reminded us why we chose to live and play in northern New Hampshire.”
In addition to running his business, Rusty also serves his community as a volunteer firefighter at the Sugar Hill Fire Department and as lieutenant in the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team. Earlier this year, he participated in the successful search and rescue of a hiker who had been missing in the White Mountain National Forest for days before he was found.
When asked what his motivation is for volunteering for these critical public safety entities, Rusty said “in this community, people help each other. Not because it’s required or because it’s our job to do so, but because we are all in this together.” That pervasive sense of selflessness and community solidarity is what makes the Granite State unique.
I couldn’t agree more, Rusty.
Throughout New Hampshire, citizens just like Rusty give back to their community, look out for their neighbors, and do what they can to help make our beautiful state a stronger place so we can all grow and thrive together. Rusty embodies the all-hands-on-deck spirit that we all strive to fulfill, and I am honored to recognize him as our Granite Stater of the Month for October.
You can read my announcement about Rusty in the official Congressional Record here.
If you know someone who you would like to be considered for Granite Stater of the Month, you can fill out the nomination form on my website here.
