Author: Bob Sanders

Beyond the vetoes

Plenty of bills became law in 2019, and here are some key ones

Tourism promotion, ‘sunny day fund’ cut in budget compromise

But affordable housing fund, other programs remain intact

New laws set stage for NH’s possible transportation future

Measures pave the way for commuter rail study, autonomous vehicle testing

New Hampshire still isn’t over the hemp hump

The agricultural product is now legal to grow in the state, but the federal government has the last word

NH Dems’ new budget plan includes possible change in business tax cuts

Proposal would tie rate reductions to revenue targets

Will any bills survive when lawmakers vote on vetoes?

Energy, workplace measures among 53 rejected by Sununu

Governor vetoes workers’ comp changes for partially disabled employees

Measure ‘would add additional costs’ to insurance system, he says

Sununu signs switch in how business profits tax is calculated

Market-based sourcing change would aid some New Hampshire-based companies

Standex move to more tech acquisitions pays off

Overall, company sees slight rise in sales, big jump in income

New Hampshire business-related bankruptcies rise in August

12 filings linked to business failures

Taking ownership

In New Hampshire, more than 5,000 employees have a stake in their companies through ESOPs

NH online retailers bemoan post-Wayfair sales tax climate

Business voice frustration, confusion at Shaheen-Hassan hearing

Planet Fitness named among 100 fastest-growing companies

Firm places 58th on Fortune magazine list

Mt. Washington Resort sues over oil spill

Insurer’s denial of claim prompts federal lawsuit

iCAD focuses on technology of the future

Nashua company posts another net loss

Demand grows for R&D tax credits

More than 200 businesses filed in 2018 to split $7 million cap

Yankee Publishing announces transition to employee ownership

Family business sells 30% of shares to employees in first round

How long will NH continue to have fossil fuel generators?

Granite Shore Power receives ISO-NE payments simply for keeping power plants available

Bottomline ends flat fiscal year with focus on promising future

Company highlights recurring revenue with subscription growth

Planet Fitness finds opportunity in big-box failures

Fitness chain taking over shuttered retail outlets

Cognia’s the new name of former Measured Progress

After merger, HQ will move to Georgia, but employees will stay in Dover

Connection reports a strong 2Q

$741 million in sales produce record net income

New Hampshire bankruptcy filings steady in July

Total is up two from 2018

Ruger reports big drops in second-quarter sales, profits

‘Challenging’ year continues for firearms manufacturer

Business groups torn over budget

Stalemate leaves impactful measures hanging in the balance

Albany International reports substantial profits from Q2 sales

First-half profits net 70% increase over same period last year

Governor vetoes wetlands bill

Law would have excluded narrower sections from development

Unitil foresees growth in natural gas as electric usage drops

Quarterly earnings up about 10% despite less consumption

NH manufactured home owners buy their communities in $48m megadeal

Three parks turned into cooperatives in largest such sale ever

Is NH losing trust in trusts?

State to study long effort to lure them here

Seacoast mutual bank sells 44% of itself in initial public offering

Dover-based Federal Savings to change its structure, name

New Hampshire woman files suits against two technology giants

Oracle, Infor charged with racial discrimination

Trio of Manchester businessmen seek to force bankruptcy on mortgage firm

Move comes in attempt to collect $275m defamation judgment against owner Michael Gill

NH bankruptcy filings drop in June

But nine business-related petitions are a monthly uptick

Legislature will convene Thursday to reach agreement on budget

The House and Senate won’t just be voting on the budget today, as agreed to by the committee of conference between representatives from each body to reach a compromise on two versions of the same bill. Both bodies will each…

New Hampshire economy forges ahead

At midyear, some find it can be almost too hot

New Hampshire lawmakers find agreement on healthcare bills

Eight measures head to governor, six more OKd in conference committees

Minimum wage compromise reached in New Hampshire Legislature

But hospitality group opposes House-Senate conferees’ agreement

NH House-Senate conferees OK RGGI rebate changes

But gubernatorial veto may loom despite compromise

The public’s business: conference committees start in earnest

NH House, Senate to seek compromises on a range of bills, including state budget

Drone regulation bill heads to governor’s desk

Measure would allow NHDOT to enforce FAA regulations

NH business groups line up against bills banning use of credit check, salary history in hiring

‘Employers are in the best position to make decisions,’ says letter urging governor to veto them

Two ex-employees allege repeated sex harassment in suit against Concord firm

Both women allege they were forced from Transformer Service Inc. jobs

Tax-related items still must be hashed out in Senate, House budget talks

BPT, BET rate freezes, paid family and medical leave deduction among the issues

What to pay tipped workers becomes focus of minimum wage hike debate

NH House, Senate versions differ on calculating amount

New Hampshire House OKs big hike in required solar use by utilities

Measure goes to Sununu’s desk days after net metering veto

Change in calculating business taxes mulled

Legislature on the verge of big changes to BPT

Key housing issues up for votes in New Hampshire Senate Thursday

Housing appeals board, affordable trust fund, lead paint remediation among items in budget trailer bill

NH bankruptcies rose sharply in May

Largest number of monthly filings since March 2017

The public’s business: On the NH Legislature’s agenda this week

Senate to vote on budget as House takes up minimum wage hike

More news from NHBR:

Live-work-create tech village eyed for Manchester

A tech-entrepreneur turned venture capitalist is eyeing one of the largest undeveloped tracts in Manchester for a community where tech- and startup-minded people would live and work. Freedom Village would be located on 250 acres of mostly wooded land at Hackett Hill, which is located in the northwestern corner of Manchester.

Manchester property values jump nearly 50%

The value of all property in Manchester increased by almost half — 48% ‑ over the past five years, according to preliminary data released by city officials on Oct. 13 The valuations, compiled due to a citywide revaluation, add up to $23.09 billion. The current value of city properties is $15.56 billion, which was based on assessments made during the city's last revaluation.

Building tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce

This year’s Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology Summit kicked off with a topic universal to all employers: how to build the workforce of tomorrow. The 24th annual event organized by the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership on Oct. 9 featured a keynote panel discussion featuring representatives from the state’s university and community college systems.

It’s (still) the economy, stupid

Back in 1992, political strategist James Carvell came up with the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid,” to help Democrat Bill Clinton defeat incumbent Republican President George H.W. Bush.

Trouble on the home front

Permitting and construction of new homes is up, but it’s still at historic lows and not enough to keep up with demand. The recent housing production is mostly single-family, with a smattering of multi-family developments but relatively few duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes.

Attorney Jack Middleton made his mark in New Hampshire

New Hampshire in general, and its legal profession in particular, suffered a huge loss when Jack B. Middleton died on Sept. 8. The president of McLane Middleton, he recently marked 70 years of active law practice with that firm.

Fast-growing life sciences sector looks to colleges to keep pace

New Hampshire’s life sciences industry is expanding quickly, but the workers employers need range far beyond biomedical scientists — from manufacturing technicians and engineers to project managers, supply-chain specialists and finance professionals. At the Empower Life Sciences event hosted by…

It's Worth Knowing: An aging state faces challenges with its senior population

It's still a fact in 2026 that New Hampshire has the second oldest population in the United States — 43.4 median age — tied with Vermont and topped only by Maine. Most senior citizens in New Hampshire say it's a great place to retire. But it depends on life's circumstances.