Senator Hassan Announces October “Granite Stater of the Month”

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan announced today that Rusty Talbot, of Sugar Hill, is the “Granite Stater of the Month” for October, an initiative she launched last month to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who exemplify the Granite State’s values and sense of community.

Rusty is the owner of the North Country Climbing Center, and is deeply involved with his community, volunteering for the Sugar Hill Fire Department, Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue team, Franconia Notch Regional Chamber of Commerce, North of the Notch Young Professionals Network, Bethlehem Colonial Theatre, and the Littleton Rotary Club. Rusty was also recently awarded Stay Work Play’s Young Professional of the Year award.

Click here and see below for a statement that Senator Hassan submitted into the Congressional Record recognizing Rusty Talbot:

Mr. President, this month, I am proud to recognize Rusty Talbot, of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, as our Granite Stater of the Month for his dedication to supporting our vibrant North Country communities.

As the founder and owner of the North Country Climbing Center, Rusty and his wife have built a small business that has been described as an “inclusive community,” where he strives to create a welcoming environment for 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 experience rock climbing.

Rusty is also involved with local business and entrepreneurship 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. His commitment to supporting the local economy and other small businesses, in addition to his own successful climbing center, earned him Stay Work Play’s Young Professional of the Year award. As New Hampshire continues to work to attract young people, 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 dedicates his time to the Sugar Hill Fire Department, where he is a volunteer firefighter, and the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team, for which he is a lieutenant. Earlier this year, Rusty participated in the successful search and rescue effort for a hiker who had been missing in the White Mountain National Forest for days before he was found. In describing his motivation for volunteering for these critical public safety entities, Rusty says, “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.

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.

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