Ground has been broken for a new 170-person conference center, scheduled to be open in the spring of 1998, at the Inn of Hampton in Hampton. The 24,000-square-foot facility project will include new meeting and banquet areas, as well as 16 new rooms. Shown at the recent ground-breaking ceremony are, from left: Glen French, Hampton Beach Area chamber of Commerce executive director; N.H. Sen. Beverly Hollingworth, D-Hampton; architect Donald Jasinski of Jasinski Architects International, Waterville Valley; Barbara Blinn, Inn of Hampton president; Jill Preston, Inn of Hampton vice president and general manager; Rockingham County Commissioner Kate Pratt; Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin; and Tracy McGrail, Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce executive director.