The 2025 legislative session wrapped up with a last-minute budget deal that avoided a government funding freeze and included several important victories for New Hampshire’s business community.

Policymakers on both sides of the aisle acknowledged they were bracing for what could be the most difficult budget season since the Great Recession. Governor Ayotte allayed those early concerns by offering an initial budget proposal that trimmed spending while seeking to minimize impacts to services and state agency operations.

BIA Perspective

The Business & Industry Association, New Hampshire’s statewide chamber of commerce and leading business advocate, announced the addition of DJ Burke to its staff in the role of manager of public policy and advocacy.

New Hampshire manufacturers are keeping close watch on how the Trump administration's tariffs could affect their operations as ongoing trade negotiations create uncertainty that weighs upon them.

BIA leading coalition to back legislative policy changes

Housing prices are up 59% over the past four years, fourth highest among the states, and the median price of a single-family home is over $530,000. Chronic restrictions on residential building the past two decades created an imbalance so great that even those who can afford record prices are challenged to find a home in a competitive market with little inventory.

Strengthening connections is essential to an effective legislative process as respective sides debate issues rather than one another. The more people talk through issues the better we are as a business community, legislature and state. BIA's recent Chamber & Trade Association Legislative Strategy Summit and Meet the Legislators Networking Reception bring business leaders and lawmakers together.

Strengthening sector requires solving state's top challenges

A strong manufacturing sector is critical to economic success and that’s particularly true in New Hampshire. The multiplier effect of turning raw materials or parts into finished goods is unrivaled. From local jobs to research and development that drives innovation and increases productivity, manufacturing’s impact ripples throughout the economy.

BIA is ready to work with our newly elected and appointed officials to address Granite State businesses’ biggest challenges, and our recently released Business Leader Survey shines a spotlight on those challenges. Conducted in collaboration with the Center for Ethics in Society at Saint Anselm College, the survey polled more than 500 business owners and executives with respondents representing businesses of all sizes across every region of New Hampshire.

More than 1 in 4 workers in New Hampshire are age 55 and older, the highest percentage among the states. With this comes challenges to ensure the state replenishes its future workforce and takes advantage of opportunities to strengthen its current one.

Manufacturing stimulates more economic activity than any other sector as the multiplier effect from turning raw materials or parts into finished goods is unrivaled. New Hampshire is strong with innovative, high-tech production, advanced manufacturing and next-generation operations like bio-fabrication. However, the state must tackle significant challenges to achieve and sustain manufacturing growth and prosperity.

Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration on Oct. 23 to close out stellar career

Dedicated and compassionate work honored with BIA’s NH Advantage Award

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester assists more than 11,000 community members annually with long- and short-term treatments under the guiding principles of treating everyone with respect, compassion and dignity. The private, nonprofit agency will receive BIA’s New Hampshire Advantage Award, sponsored by Bank of America.

NH Senate president to receive BIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award

For the past couple decades, Jeb Bradley was most often found in the halls of the New Hampshire State House or high atop White Mountain peaks. As the Senate president moves toward retirement many of his colleague praise his commitment to building bipartisan consensus and getting the done.

BIA, the statewide chamber of commerce and leading nonpartisan business advocate with over 400 members, is completing its four-part public policy roundtable talks in locations across New Hampshire. Our roundtables allow us to gather input from many of the state’s business leaders, more than 100 participants this year. Our 2024 talks coincide with the completion of the primary campaigns, and most notably the race for governor.

Senior advisor with Bernstein Shur one of most highly respected government affairs advisors in NH

Teresa Rosenberger, a senior advisor with Bernstein Shur, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at BIA’s 111th Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration, presented by Eversource, Oct. 23. David Greer, CEO of Wire Belt Company of America, and New Hampshire Senate President Jeb Bradley will also receive Lifetime Achievement Awards, sponsored by Whelen Engineering Company. The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester will receive BIA’s New Hampshire Advantage Award, sponsored by Bank of America.

Greer to receive BIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award

David Greer of Wire Belt Company of America will receive BIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award at our 111th Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration, presented by Eversource, Oct. 23. Teresa Rosenberger of Bernstein Shur, and New Hampshire Senate President Jeb Bradley will also receive Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester will receive BIA’s New Hampshire Advantage Award.

Meagan Pariseau will serve as program and membership coordinator and be responsible for planning, managing and coordinating a variety of key membership and program initiatives essential to the growth and success of the BIA.

Fourteen members honored with ‘Above & Beyond Awards’

The Business & Industry Association, New Hampshire’s statewide chamber of commerce and leading business advocate, elected officers and directors for 2024-2025, and honored outstanding volunteer members at its Annual Business Meeting Wednesday, May 15.

Michael Skelton, president and CEO, of the Business & Industry Association recently accepted a prestigious appointment to the U.S. Chamber’s advisory committee. The Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 advises the chamber’s board of directors, enhances lobbying and coalition work, recommends programming, and strengthens outreach to the business and chamber communities.

The Business & Industry Association’s mission is to champion a competitive business climate and prosperous economic future for New Hampshire. Our mission often requires us to fight bills that may be well intentioned, but ultimately pose a threat to Granite State businesses, residents and the economy.

The nascent U.S. manufacturing renaissance is bringing new opportunities to workers and businesses in New Hampshire and across the country, but there are a series of challenges, including a regulatory onslaught coming from Washington.

The House and Senate are back in session and will take up over 800 bills, many of which could help, or hurt, New Hampshire businesses and other employers. BIA is ready to advocate on issues such as workforce, housing and energy.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., have sponsored a bill, S.866, the American Innovation and Jobs Act, which would restore full expensing, increase the cap for the refundable R&D tax credit for small businesses and startups and expand eligibility for the credit.

Nonprofit that supports grieving children and families to receive BIA’s NH Advantage Award

Christine Phillips sits on a couch inside a beautiful Victorian house turned home of Friends of Aine’s Center for Grieving Children & Families. Christine, who co-founded the nonprofit agency with her husband David Phillips, talks about a dream come true in the wake of tragedy. The couple lost their daughter Aine suddenly and unexpectedly at age 8 in 2010.

Co-founder of Rath Young and Pignatelli will receive BIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Attorney Sherilyn Burnett “Sherry” Young, a founder, shareholder and past president of Rath, Young and Pignatelli, will receive the honor at BIA’s 110th Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration, presented by Eversource, Oct. 25 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester.

Longtime senator will receive BIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Sen. Lou D’Allesandro has served in elected office in New Hampshire for more than 45 years including 13 consecutive terms in the state Senate. Known for his booming voice on roll call votes, the dean of the Senate is not done, saying, “As long as I’m producing positive results, I’ll keep it going.”

The U.S. manufacturing industry, backed by federal government support, is seeing historic private sector investment with the goal of reshoring manufacturing jobs lost over the last 50 years. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new proposed regulations put that at risk.

Dean Christon to receive BIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Dean Christon was on the front lines of fighting New Hampshire’s fall into today’s housing crisis over his 34 years with NH Housing. The self-supporting public corporation has helped more than 55,000 families purchase their own homes and has been instrumental in financing the creation of more than 16,000 multifamily housing units. But much more is needed.

Gov. Sununu, during his address Tuesday, Feb. 14, said his budget promotes New Hampshire as a hub of innovation to businesses across the nation, calling them the bedrock of New Hampshire’s communities.