Gov. Chris Sununu on Oct. 16 joined state and local officials to celebrate a groundbreaking collaboration to develop a new water supply serving two communities.
Gov. Sununu speaking in Peterborough about the Cold Stone Spring water treatment plant.
The Cold Stone Springs Water Supply Project is a first project of this kind in New Hampshire, where two municipalities have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to develop the water supply. The towns of Peterborough and Jaffrey have been working for over two years to secure a combination of grants and loans totaling $12.6 million in funding to begin moving forward to make this project a reality for the communities.
“What you are going to do for the community is unbelievable,” Sununu said. “You are a model of success.”
State Sen. Chuck Morse, chairman of the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Advisory Commission, said the project is becoming a reality because the collaboration, which included the towns, state agencies, and businesses “came together to solve a problem.”
By coming together, he said, the communities were able to secure federal funds for the water project, which will have significant benefits for years to come.
“This project is a model because of the success the communities had ; this is a project that can be studied throughout the country for how businesses, the community and the state can get together to solve a problem,” he said.
David Nichols, MilliporeSigma, left; Gov. Sununu
By securing the new water supply, the Cold Stone Spring project will enable growth for industries, such as supporting the expansion plans for MilliporeSigma and creation of up to 400 new jobs. MilliporeSigma is one of the area’s largest employers and a leading supplier to the global life science industry.
“What you are going to do for the community is unbelievable. You are a model of success.” – Gov. Chris Sununu
On Aug. 21, at Gov. Chris Sununu’s direction, Attorney General Gordon MacDonald and Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell sent letters to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding the new rule that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is using to tax income earned by non-resident employees who are working remotely.
“These comments articulate our serious policy and legal concerns with Granite Staters being taxed in Massachusetts when they have not crossed the state line in months due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Sununu said. “It is my hope that this matter can be resolved promptly and in a manner that removes any necessity for New Hampshire to consider legal remedies.”
His cover letter to Governor Charlie Baker can be found here.
MacDonald’s letter to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue can be found here.
BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell’s letter to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue can be found here.
Background: The Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Notice of Public Hearing can be found here.
Gov. Chris Sununu, along with state and local officials, a bipartisan group of young legislators, and housing activists, released a comprehensive plan to address New Hampshire’s housing shortage.
Gov. Chris Sununu
“This past summer I assembled a housing task force to develop recommendations to address our shortage, which has risen to crisis levels,” Sununu said. “Today, I am proud to say that as a result of the work of the task force, my office, and a bipartisan group of young legislators, we are releasing the most comprehensive plan on housing that this State has ever seen. I look forward to a productive conversation with the legislature and all interested stakeholders, and to working together to pass a plan that will be a win for our workforce, our communities, and our entire state.”
Earlier this summer, Sununu established a task force to develop recommendations to address New Hampshire’s housing crisis. The group consisted of state and local officials, and industry experts: Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell; Dean Christon, executive director of New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority; Ben Frost, policy and public affairs director of the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority; Noah Hodgetts, assistant planner at Office of Strategic Initiatives; Portsmouth City Councilor Rebecca Perkins; Matt Sullivan, director of Planning and Community Development in Wolfeboro, and Mike Claflin, workforce housing developer.
BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell
“Housing and economic development must go hand in hand,” Caswell said. “If we are going to continue our success in attracting a younger workforce to New Hampshire, we must have a much broader spectrum of housing for people at all stages in life. Enactment of these proposals will put us light years ahead of where we are right now in addressing this crisis.”
There is a critical housing shortage in New Hampshire. As of the summer of 2019, the vacancy rate for two bedroom apartments fell below 1 percent in all but one New Hampshire county. The inventory of homes for sale is near record lows.
The housing plan can be viewed hereand a set of FAQs for the plan can be viewed here.
The legislative piece of the plan includes two bills. The first one focuses on enhancing local control and improving predictability of the development process, and the second focuses on accelerating investment in housing.
The prime sponsor of the first bill is Rep. Willis Griffith (D-Manchester), chairman of the Young Democrats Caucus. The prime sponsor of the second bill is Rep. Joe Alexander (R-Goffstown). Griffith and Alexander, together with Rep. Tom Loughman (D-Hampton) and Rep. Gates Lucas (R-Sunapee), worked with the housing task force crafting legislation to implement the plan issued today (10/30/19) .
“This plan is a strong step forward in addressing the housing crisis in New Hampshire and is a result of bipartisan collaboration with housing experts,” Griffith said. “This package of bills will be the beginning of a thoughtful discussion in which I invite all stakeholders, community members, and legislators to participate. I am confident that, together, we will make meaningful progress on one of the most significant issues facing our state.”
Alexander said the bills represent months of research and discussion by stakeholders and policy leaders.
“We are in a position to pass legislation that will solve one of the greatest problems facing New Hampshire,” he said. “I look forward to a robust and comprehensive conversation around the crisis of affordable housing in New Hampshire and welcome any and all feedback from policy leaders, stakeholders, and the public.”
Final text of the bills will be available 11/1/19, after final sign off for House bills.
As summer winds down, New Hampshire tourism officials say they expect a robust fall travel season, with more than 3 million out-of-state, overnight visitors projected, who will spend more than $1.5 billion.
During an event this week at Hazelton Orchards in Chester, the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development unveiled its fall marketing campaign, which highlights activities such as hiking, leaf peeping, agritourism, dining and shopping.
“New Hampshire is the premier travel destination in the northeast all year round, but the vibrant colors of our tremendous foliage truly sets us apart during the fall travel season, drawing millions of people to all corners of the Granite State,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “The fall travel season is an incredible economic driver for our state and we are constantly working to maximize and expand visitation for the benefit of our partners and the people of New Hampshire.”
Gov. Chris Sununu, joined by Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell, left, and Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food Commissioner Shawn Jasper, kicked off what is expected to be a busy fall tourism season by picking the ceremonial first apple of autumn at Hazelton Orchards in Chester.
Representing about 25 percent total annual visitation, fall is New Hampshire’s second-largest travel season, behind summer.
Foliage, scenic drives
and pick-your-own options dominate the fall season but historically fall is
also popular for visiting attractions, college homecomings, fairs and
festivals, shopping, and visiting friends and relatives. In addition, fall
tends to draw the largest percentage of visitors from outside New England.
Visitors to New Hampshire this fall can experience fall activities and events including:
Stay connected with New
Hampshire tourism on Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
Pinterest
and
YouTube, and be sure to follow the #livefreeNH tag to see
what other people are saying about fall in New Hampshire.
Since publication of this post, the tracts nominated last month have been so designated by the Department of Treasury. -Ed.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has nominated 27 low income census tracts of the state to be designated as Opportunity Zones, part of a federal program encouraging economic development and investment in neighborhoods around the country. Governor Sununu made the announcement from Marceau Park in Franklin, one of the areas designated today.
In New Hampshire, the areas nominated include tracts and contiguous tracts, ranging from the Manchester Millyard, downtown Rochester and tracts in the Seacoast, to the White Mountains and the North Country.
“New Hampshire’s resiliency lies in our local communities – they are the backbone of our society and the focal point of cultural activity,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “For far too long, however, some communities have been left behind. While some have thrived in recent years, others are struggling to keep up. Today, we are announcing 27 Opportunity Zones across the state to encourage investments in areas that are often left behind. Opportunity Zones provide tax incentives to investors to reinvest unrealized capital gains into neighborhoods throughout the state. These local neighborhoods deserve an economic boost, and that is what we are going to give them. The goal is simple: to create jobs, to increase wages, and to revitalize communities across the state.”
“Our goal was to designate tracts that present the best opportunities for investment and can leverage other state and federal resources. My hope is that once this program is fully deployed, it can serve as catalyst to bringing economic opportunity to New Hampshire communities,” said Taylor Caswell, Commissioner, New Hampshire Business and Economic Affairs.
The program was created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which provides federal tax incentives to investors in areas designated as an Opportunity Zone and is administered by the U.S. Treasury Department. States were required to designate 25% of the low income census tracts in the state as Opportunity Zones. Investors can defer capital gains on earnings reinvested in the zones and long-term investments maintained for over 10 years do not have to pay additional capital gains taxes on earnings from Opportunity Zone investments.
Final designations are subject to federal confirmation and final rules for the new Opportunity Zone are being developed by the US Treasury.
Communities nominated for federal Opportunity Zones:
Berlin
Claremont
Colebrook, Atkinson and Gilmanton Grant
Conway/North Conway
Derry
Dixville Notch, Columbia, Millsfield, Errol, Dummer, Milan, Cambridge, Success, Erving and Wentworth’s Location, Second College Grant
Gov. Chris Sununu, before a packed audience last week that included recovery advocates, business leaders and state officials, announced the nationwide launch of his Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative and an invitation to fellow governors to join in the movement.
“Recovery Friendly Workplaces are an opportunity for the governors across the country to help change the culture around addiction in their states by engaging employers in being a proactive part of the conversation,” Sununu said. “We can provide tools and resources to open access to treatment. Importantly, businesses increase productivity and profitability by promoting evidence based practices that reduce the health and safety consequences associated with unaddressed substance use in the workplace.”
In calling on other states to join New Hampshire in this groundbreaking effort, interested states will have website domains, logos, and regulatory framework guidance provided to them. Rhode Island is the first state to join New Hampshire in creating a Recovery Friendly Workplace structure.
From the original launch on March 1, the list of early adopters has more than doubled in New Hampshire. Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare and the New Hampshire Hospital Association are a part of 16 additional companies who have signed on as early adopters, joining the 12 original organizations like the State of New Hampshire, Walmart and Turbocam. With these 28 early adopters, the total number of employees who work for a Recovery Friendly Workplace is about 26,000 people.
For the second year in a row, a team from the Londonderry Middle School won the annual What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contest and the $1,000 top prize.
The contest, coordinated by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, pairs middle school students with local manufacturers for a look into the manufacturing process. Sponsors are BAE Systems and Hitchiner Manufacturing.
Gov. Chris Sununu announced the winning teams via video on Thursday morning.
“Advanced manufacturing is an important driver of our economy and it’s important for students to know what 21st century manufacturing looks like in New Hampshire,” Sununu said. “Over the past four years, the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contest has introduced scores of middle school students around the state to the opportunities there are right here.”
The Londonderry team worked with BirdsEyeView Aerobotics of Andover to produce its video. Second place South Meadow School in Peterborough worked with Vicuña Chocolate; Winnisquam Regional Middle School in Tilton paired with Freudenberg NOK for its video and Kingswood Regional Middle School in Wolfeboro partnered with Crystal Geyser.
“New Hampshire’s economy is booming and advanced manufacturing contributes greatly to that,” said Commissioner Taylor Caswell of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “As the growth of this industry continues, we need to be sure students know that manufacturing offers them a rewarding career path.”
Gov. Sununu’s announcement and the winning videos can be seen on the Division of Economic Development’s 2018 What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contest YouTube channel.
Wildolfo (Will) Arvelo was sworn in Jan. 18 as director of the Division of Economic Development by Gov. Chris Sununu.
Arvelo joined the agency earlier this month, following 11 years as president of Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth.
During that time, he oversaw the college’s move from Stratham to the Pease International Tradeport; development of the Advanced Technology and Academic Center in Rochester and a catalyst for creating programs meeting the needs of Seacoast employers and industries.
Taylor Caswell, commissioner of Business and Economic Affairs, said Arvelo’s experience is a great fit for the division, at a time when New Hampshire is growing.
“Our economy demands that we be able to meet the workforce demands of our employer community, and Will’s experience fits perfectly into those strategies,” Caswell said.
In his new role, Arvelo will oversee the division charged with business retention; business recruitment; international commerce; government contracting; workforce development, and marketing.
“I am honored and overjoyed to be joining Governor Sununu, Commissioner Caswell, and the Business and Economic Affairs team as we focus on building the economic landscape and workforce that will carry New Hampshire into the future and make it a top destination for new companies, workers and visitors,” he said. “I’m excited about, and looking forward to, working with entities and the many talented people across the state interested in collaborating as we explore new directions for how we think about and implement economic and workforce development strategies and initiatives.”
Leading Semiconductor Company To Expand In Manchester
Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, a leader in developing high-performance power and sensor semiconductors, broke ground on a 15,000-square foot expansion at its Manchester facility on Dec. 19.
The building expansion will support Allegro’s ongoing growth and investment in research and development, as well as reinforce the location as the company’s center of strategic business development.
“Allegro will continue to strengthen its investment in its technical talent and focus on high growth technological segments,” said Allegro President and Chief Executive Officer, Ravi Vig.
“Our ability to attract and retain skilled, high-tech talent to our Manchester facility will allow us to further invest in this prime location.”
Allegro’s facility is conveniently located minutes from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; close to leading New Hampshire and Massachusetts research universities, and within a one hour of the Seacoast, mountains, lakes, and urban environments like downtown Manchester and Boston, making it an attractive location for existing and prospective employees.
Allegro’s focus on advanced technology, product line expansion and innovation fits well with the business platform provided in New Hampshire.
“The Governor and I are fully committed to working with local companies to help them grow their business and attract talent,” said Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. “We are pleased that Allegro has chosen to invest in the Manchester area, and we look forward to their employees enjoying the revitalized mill yards, SNHU Arena, and other benefits of downtown.”
Allegro’s building expansion was designed by Margulies Perruzzi Architects and is being built by Hutter Construction Corp., with completion planned for next summer. Allegro will employ abut 400 people at its Manchester site, many of them engineers.
Seven schools, submitting eight videos, competed for the top prizes this year in the third annual What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contest.
Thank you to our sponsors, BAE Systems and Velcro Companies, and to the students, teachers and manufacturers who worked together to produce these topnotch videos.
The playlist of the videos follows Gov. Sununu’s announcement. Stay tuned and see all the very cool things the students learned about advanced manufacturing in New Hampshire.
