Portsmouth Wilcox to sponsor city’s Fourth of July event Funding will assist with veterans initiatives

PORTSMOUTH – The City Council voted unanimously to accept a $40,000 annual donation from Wilcox Industries to expand the city’s Fourth of July celebration.

In return for the donation, Wilcox Industries of Newington, a gun manufacturer, will become the “main sponsor” of the expanded celebration, according to a letter of agreement with City Manager John Bohenko.

“To begin this partnership you will collaborate with city staff to build a broader Independence Day celebration that will offer additional entertainment and philanthropic initiatives to benefit local veterans groups,” Bohenko said in the letter.

The company’s website states that they are dedicated to “making tactical products that have a reputation for quality and toughness.”

They also seek to find “solutions to the technology shortfalls that military and law enforcement encounter.”

During Monday’s City Council meeting, Assistant Mayor Jim Splaine, who voted for the agreement, stressed that he wanted to make sure the monies were aimed at helping veterans “and not necessarily company promotion.”

“He has no interest in that,” Bohenko said. “He’s doing this basically for veterans.”

Mayor Jack Blalock noted that he and Bohenko met with company CEO Jim Teetzel and he came away convinced the company’s donation is “all about the veterans.”

“It was not promotional,” Bohenko said.

Despite the annual donations, Bohenko said he will continue to put monies in the city budget for the July 4th celebration – which is held on July 3 – in order to add on to the celebration.

The agreement will run for the next 10 years.