CONCORD-Before Organization Day began, the Business and Industry Association gave awards to five state legislators they say supported the state's business community during the 2008 legislative session.

State Reps. Pam Price (R-Nashua) and David Hess (R-Hooksett) were awarded the BIA's Friend of Business Award along with state Sens. Lou D'Allesandro (D-Manchester), Peter Bragdon (R-Milford) and Betsi DeVries (D-Manchester).

"We are pleased and honored to present them with the 2008 BIA Friend of Business Award. We thank them for their support of important business issues last session and hope we can count on their continued support during the 2009 legislative session," BIA President Jim Roche said during the ceremony at the group's Concord office.

Hess said that businesses provide New Hampshire with jobs and help fill the state's revenue coffers.

"The important lesson we learned here is that business is the engine of the economy," Hess said.