“N.H. Colleges Commit To Increasing High-Tech Grads”

Facing declining in-migration of skilled workers and increasing demand for them, the state is stepping-up efforts to home-grow its own modern workforce.

CONCORD — New Hampshire’s community colleges and four-year campuses are working together to turn out more high-tech graduates, promising to double the number in the next 13 years. Last year, the four University System of New Hampshire schools and the 11 community colleges awarded about 8,200 degrees and certificates, including 1,100 degrees in science, technology, engineering or math.

Read more at: m.seacoastonline.com

Latest Links: GOP Aide Resigns Amid Mileage Questions, Berlin Fire Department Faces $130,000 Shortfall

New Hampshire’s Business And Economic News In Brief

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Lectures At Dartmouth

Earlier this afternoon, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a public lecture at Dartmouth College. He was scheduled to speak on the global economy and education.


Published May 14, 2012 at 3:00 am (Updated May 13, 2012) HANOVER — Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is scheduled to deliver a public lecture at Dartmouth College Tuesday afternoon. The lecture is being sponsored by the Dartmouth College Office of the President.

Read more at: www.unionleader.com

Why NH’s Waterfront Market Might Be On The Rebound

David Salafia

Is the real estate market heating up along Lake Winnipesaukee?

“Could the era of numerous big dollar waterfront sales be returning?” That’s the question Roy Sanborn, a realtor in Meredith, NH, posed in a column on Saturday in the Laconia Daily Sun.

According to data compiled for the month of April from the Northern New England Real Estate MLS System, the average sales price of a home on Lake Winnepesaukee — $2.15-million — was more than double the average sales price last April.

Paula Hinckley of Lady of the Lake Realty in Sanbornton says her experience selling waterfront homes confirms Sanborn’s observation. “In years past there would be heavy negotiations,” Hinckley says, and buyers would get 20 percent off the asking price. Now, “those deep discounts are not happening.” Today, she says, negotiations are more often within five percent of the asking price. Continue Reading

“USA Springs Judge Puts Off Auction Decision”

The pressure’s on the failed USA Springs water bottling project to either find financing or declare bankruptcy.


Tuesday, May 15, 2012 USA Springs could continue to pursue financing that has so far proved elusive in an attempt to bail it out of bankruptcy, or it could put itself up for auction, but it can’t do both for very long, said Judge J.

Read more at: www.nhbr.com

How Market Basket’s Changing Worker Safety Rules After OSHA Settlement

Nancy D. Regan / Flickr

Many grocery stores don’t have the kinds of safety rules in place that DeMoulas recently agreed to

Recently,Tewksbury, Massachusetts-based DeMoulas Supermarkets, Inc. settled with the feds on a laundry list of major safety violations at Market Basket stores.  As we’ve previously reported, OSHA slapped DeMoulas with $589,000 in fines following store inspections in Concord and Rindge.  Then, after considering a the number of serious, repeat, and willful violations, the agency went so far as to demand that DeMoulas systematically overhaul safety practices at all 66 stores in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

That’s only the second time OSHA’s gone to that extreme. Continue Reading

Latest Links: Mild Weather Contributes to Less Maple Syrup, Parking Ordinance Hinders New Portsmouth ‘Literary Salon’

New Hampshire’s Business And Economic News In Brief

“RiverRun Launches Publishing Venture”

A few months ago, this indie bookstore faced the real possibility of closure. Now, it’s starting a new publishing arm.

PORTSMOUTH — Writers looking for an outlet to publish their work now need to look no further than their local bookstore. Seacoast residents looking for a shot at seeing their name in print can now turn to the Piscataqua Press, a new publishing project of RiverRun Bookstore located on Fleet Street in downtown Portsmouth.

Read more at: m.seacoastonline.com

Regional Cap-And-Trade Slashed Energy Use By $5 Million

Bill Rosgen / Flickr

Now in its second year, RGGI is saving millions of dollars in energy usage

The region’s controversial cap-and-trade system is working–at least as far as grant-funded energy cuts are concerned.  A new report released by UNH–based Carbon Solutions New England found that between the summers of 2010 and 2011, companies cut their emissions by 18,900 metric tons.  As David Brooks reports for the Nashua Telegraph:

“Grants from money paid by electric utilities as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative…helped businesses reduce energy use by more than $5 million in the second year of the program, according to a new analysis…

For every dollar invested, the report said, there would be a return of $4.67 in energy savings over the lifetime of the projects: The lifetime savings from the $18.1 million spent from the fund are projected to be $84.5 million in energy costs based on current energy prices.”

As Brooks points out, RGGI has takes some heat at the statehouse,“because the cost of buying carbon-dioxide offsets is paid by utilities like PSNH, and thus helps raise electricity rates.”  Supporters, however, argue that over the long run, cap-and-trade will cut down energy use, thus saving consumers money in the end.

Latest Links: Balsams Auction Empties Hotel, Portsmouth Pushing For Historic Register Listing

New Hampshire’s Business And Economic News In Brief

About StateImpact

StateImpact seeks to inform and engage local communities with broadcast and online news focused on how state government decisions affect your lives.
Learn More »

Education