Pro-business groups back BEA commissioner’s reappointment

As Taylor Caswell’s reappointment as commissioner of the N. Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) hangs in the balance, two independent statewide economic-related associations are standing with him and saying he should keep his job.

The presidents of the New Hampshire Business & Industry Association (BIA) and Ski New Hampshire offered statements backing Caswell’s reappointment by the Executive Council.

Michael Skelton, president/CEO of the BIA, called Caswell’s continued leadership “critical.” Jessyca Keeler, SkiNH president, described Casell as being “very responsive” to a variety of the state’s economic needs, not only as they relate to the ski industry.

Both cited his work on tourism promotion, housing development, and workforce development.

Three of the five-member Executive Council oppose Taylor’s reappointment: Republicans Joe Kenney, Dave Wheeler, and John Stephen. He has support from two: Democrat Karen Liot Hill and Republican Janet Stevens.

Republican Gov. Kelley Ayotte, while expressing confidence in Caswell, doesn’t have a vote on the council. But she has some political sway, which will be put to the test as she seeks at least one more vote on Caswell’s behalf.

Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell (Photo by Steven Lipofsky)

She pulled his reappointment from the July 30 council agenda, knowing in advance that the vote would fail. She likely won’t put his name before the council until she knows she has the votes.

In media reports, Stevens, whose district includes the Seacoast, cites support expressed by chambers of commerce in the region. Liot Hill, from Lebanon, cites Caswell’s help in housing and economic development.

But Wheeler hasn’t liked some of the expense requests that Caswell put before the council, saying the commissioner hasn’t been careful with taxpayer money. Sweeney sees in Caswell a lack of attention to certain parts of the state and their economies — particularly the North Country and wood products. And Stephen has said he’d like to see someone else take the BEA to what he called “the next level.”

The three councilors co-wrote a piece for NH Journal dated Aug. 1 addressing their reasons for not supporting Caswell’s reappointment. Their issues included misaligned budget priorities, neglect of rural development, fiscal mismanagement, and agency culture and leadership gaps.

“We respectfully urge the governor to nominate a new leader who can deliver on these priorities and ensure that the BEA serves all Granite Staters effectively,” they said.

By law, the governor can keep Caswell in his position in a so-called “holdover” status for up to six months. Caswell was appointed to the position in 2017, nominated by then Gov. Chris Sununu to head the newly named and organized BEA.

Caswell, asked by NHBR about his reappointment, said he had no comment at this time.

The next Executive Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Mount Sunapee Lodge in Newbury. Agendas for meetings are made public a few days before the meeting, so it’s too early to know if Caswell’s reappointment is coming up then, but it could be later.

Skelton at the BIA said Caswell transformed the BEA “into a go-to resource and partner for our state’s business community.

“Not a week goes by where our teams are not in touch and working collaboratively on key issues like housing, childcare, workforce development, and business recruitment,” Skelto said in a statement to NHBR.

“At a time when states across the country are upping their games in terms of economic competitiveness, having the experienced and strategic leadership of Commissioner Caswell at the helm of NH BEA is critical,” he added.

Skelton, on behalf of the BIA, submitted a letter to the Executive Council two days before the July 30 meeting.

“During Commissioner Caswell’s tenure, BEA has accomplished an impressive record of success and impact on key issues of importance to the business community. Whether it was the BEA’s work to deploy investments to address NH’s housing crisis, coordinating broadband expansion efforts, enhancing tourism marketing and promotion efforts to record setting results, or facilitating and supporting hundreds of millions in business investments in our state, BEA’s track record under Commissioner Caswell is that of exceptional results for NH’s economy and business community,” the letter said in part.

Skelton reminded councilors that the BIA “serves as our statewide chamber of commerce, state manufacturing association, and leading nonpartisan business advocate. Our association represents more than 450 employers and organizations from across New Hampshire that contribute more than $5 billion to our state’s economy.”

Skelton’s letter lauded Caswell’s attitude and approach, which he said is “greatly valued and appreciated by business leaders across New Hampshire.”

“I have heard countless examples of business, nonprofit, and municipal leaders who have reached out to Commissioner Caswell for help, guidance, or an opportunity to partner or collaborate,” Skelton wrote. “The responses are always prompt, professional, and move at the speed of business with an eye towards achieving results and impact. NH can ask for no better approach from the leader of the agency charged with facilitating our state’s economic growth and prosperity.”

Keeler described Caswell as not only a “staunch supporter” of the state’s ski industry, “but the state’s travel and tourism industry and outdoor recreation at large since his appointment by Governor Sununu in 2017.”

“Commissioner Caswell has been very responsive to our industry’s needs, and has welcomed our voice at the table around topics of tourism promotion, housing development, workforce development, and showcasing outdoor recreation opportunities as a means of attracting businesses to the state,” said Keeler.

Keeler recalled the COVID pandemic as particularly trying for New Hampshire businesses.

“During the pandemic, he worked with us to develop guidance to open ski areas for the 2020-21 winter, which allowed us to complete the season with no COVID-19 outbreaks attributed to ski areas and with skier visitation that outperformed other states in the Northeast,” she said.

Taylor’s efforts to help promote the state as an attractive place to visit has a spillover effect that Keeler said is important to the state’s economic future.

“The Commissioner also recognizes that some of what makes New Hampshire so appealing for visitors can also help lure businesses to the state and keep them here, particularly as younger generations in the workforce place a high value on work-life balance,” she said.

“The recent ‘Workforce Toolkit for the Outdoor Lifestyle’ put together by the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development is great example of how the BEA, under his leadership, has showcased the state’s vast and varied outdoor recreation resources to help existing and potential NH businesses rethink how they attract and retain workers,” she added.