New Hampshire Business Review - March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026

Amanda Andrews

The dual effect of the CDFA tax credit program

Paul Briand,

First-time-participant M&T Bank cites community’s ‘strong relationships’

Reviving Berlin

Brennan Ward,

Two years ago, for the first time in more than a decade, the City of Berlin turned a page, beginning a new chapter energized by fresh leadership and renewed hope for a brighter future. In January 2024, Robert Cone, a Republican, was sworn in as mayor following a closely contested election that brought new energy and ideas to City Hall. His victory marked a clear moment of change for residents eager to see Berlin revitalized and thriving once again. Now serving his second term, Cone ran unopposed in what was long considered a Democratic stronghold, a powerful sign of growing confidence in his leadership.

Independent contractor rules may be changing

Amanda Brahm,

On February 26, 2026, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division released a new notice of proposed rulemaking that would significantly revise the test used under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for determining independent contractor status, marking the third major change to the federal independent contractor rule in less than five years.

Driving deeper sustainability in construction

John Hyde,

In construction, sustainability is still too often defined by project type, certification or client mandate. If a job is labeled “green,” we assume the contractor is sustainable by default. But that framing misses the point.

Building your AI-ready workforce

Jason Alexander,

Most business owners come to me with technology questions. Which AI tool should we use? What platform is best for our industry? How much will it cost? I get it. Technology feels tangible. It’s something you can research, compare and buy.

The Bottom Line: Albany International, Connection and Unitil

Amanda Andrews,

A roundup of news updates from public companies in NH and nationwide

Littleton company aims for a big bite of the outdoor business

John Koziol,

Adventure Ready Brands makes health and safety products at North Country industrial park

Wooden Judicial Hammer On Table Close Up. Law And Justice. The Courtroom

AG says federal judge exceeded her authority in inspection ruling

Rick Green -The Keene Sentinel,

A federal judge exceeded her authority by ordering the state to continue its mandatory vehicle inspection program after it was repealed, NH Attorney General John Formella argued in a legal filing Thursday, March 19, with the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Former Ocean Spray CEO to serve as UNH commencement speaker

Contributed to NH Business Review,

Tom Hayes, ‘87, former CEO of Ocean Spray, will deliver the commencement address at the University of New Hampshire undergraduate ceremonies on May 16. A respected leader in the food industry, with more than three decades of experience guiding major consumer brands, Hayes will offer words of inspiration to the class of ‘26.

Manchester’s Exacom acquired by Motorola Solutions

NH Business Review Staff,

Exacom, which provides voice and multimedia recording and logging solutions for 911 emergency communications, has been acquired by Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

More news from NHBR:

‘What must remain human?’ Dartmouth AI conference opens without a clear answer

Dartmouth College opened its “AI at 70” conference Thursday morning, Oct. 29, with a session called “The Future Worth Building is Human.”

(Opinion) Utilities learn to communicate through uncertainty

On Nov. 26, 2015, heavy wet snow was falling, with a forecast warning of an impending storm for days. The phone rings, and before I answer it, I already know what the reporter is going to ask.

(Opinion) From mill town to river town

New Hampshire has more than 10,000 miles of rivers, many of which flow through downtowns.

(Opinion) Investing in youth mental health in New Hampshire

The nationwide youth mental health crisis has seen marked improvements in New Hampshire since 2021, but the problem is still far from fixed. Indeed, while the measured outcomes are getting better compared to the worst years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the figures today are still historically concerning compared to a decade ago.

(Opinion) People with disabilities are an untapped resource

New Hampshire employers spend considerable time and resources trying to find dependable employees who want to work. Yet there is a segment of our population that is too often overlooked: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Come to the table

Reliable, accessible childcare is an economic advantage that helps New Hampshire businesses attract and retain employees, strengthen their workforce and support long-term growth.

Growing with grace

Identifying growing and grace as my top two values helped me focus on who I want to be and how I want to show up. Revisiting these six years later, I am pleased that these ideas still ring true.

Are prediction markets revenue ripe for picking in NH?

To many people, prediction markets and sports gaming are a distinction without a difference. Which begs the question: Should New Hampshire be regulating prediction markets, especially as they apply to sports, the same way it regulates — and draws revenue from — sports betting via DraftKings?

(Market & Main Streets) Employers follow workers

Over the course of my career, I have attended my share of ribbon-cuttings that were the result of a lot of effort to recruit a new company into the state.