SECOND QUARTER 2016 New Hampshire’s Statewide Chamber of Commerce www.BIAofNH.com In This Issue Events Energy strategy..................... 4 NH Business PAC ................... 5 Enterprise magazine ............ 5 Member News ....................... 6 New BIA officers, directors ... 7 Jun 20-29 2016 Business Roundtable Discussions; info at BIAofNH.com/roundtables Sept 9 BIA Forum on Workforce Housing in NH; Radisson Hotel, Manchester Oct 19 103rd Annual Dinner, Lifetime Achievement and NH Advantage Awards Celebration; Radisson Hotel Nov 13-14 BIA Leadership Summit; Omni Mount Washington Resort Business Roundtables Coming New Hampshire business leaders will have the opportunity to shape BIA legislative priorities during a series of nine roundtable forums in June. These discussions are held throughout the state, hosted by local chambers of com- merce, trade associations, and the BIA. They are designed to give the busi- ness community a voice in establishing a proactive legislative and regulatory agenda for the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions at the New Hampshire State House. “These grassroots gatherings are an important part of BIA’s policy-setting process,” said Dave Juvet, senior vice-president of public policy. “Employers of all sizes, from a variety of fields and geographic locations, can voice their concerns about legislative and regulatory challenges affecting their compa- nies. Participants will help rank these challenges and recommend action steps for BIA.” The roundtables are the first in a four-step process of developing BIA policy positions for the coming biennium. After input from all the roundtable Workforce development is essential to NH’s long-term economic health Thankfully, New Hampshire continues to see economic growth as we make our way out of the worst recession in decades. Unemployment continues to drop as demand for labor increases across virtually all business sectors. Yet economic vitality is not only about whether people can find a job; it’s also about aligning the competencies required by employers with the skills of the local and regional labor pool. The term “workforce development” means creating, sustaining and retain- ing a viable workforce that can support current and future business and indus- try needs. Workforce development in New Hampshire is a systemic challenge that now has the attention of HR professionals all the way up to senior company leadership and CEOs. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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SECOND QUARTER 2016
New Hampshire’s Statewide Chamber of Commerce
www.BIAofNH.com
In This Issue
Events
Energy strategy..................... 4
NH Business PAC ................... 5
Enterprise magazine ............ 5
Member News ....................... 6
New BIA officers, directors ... 7
Jun 20-29
2016 Business Roundtable Discussions; info at BIAofNH.com/roundtables
Sept 9 BIA Forum on Workforce Housing in NH; Radisson Hotel, Manchester
Oct 19 103rd Annual Dinner, Lifetime Achievement and NH Advantage Awards Celebration; Radisson Hotel
Nov 13-14 BIA Leadership Summit; Omni Mount Washington Resort
Business Roundtables ComingNew Hampshire business leaders will have the opportunity to shape BIA
legislative priorities during a series of nine roundtable forums in June. These
discussions are held throughout the state, hosted by local chambers of com-
merce, trade associations, and the BIA. They are designed to give the busi-
ness community a voice in establishing a proactive legislative and regulatory
agenda for the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions at the New Hampshire State
House.
“These grassroots gatherings are an important part of BIA’s policy-setting
process,” said Dave Juvet, senior vice-president of public policy. “Employers
of all sizes, from a variety of fields and geographic locations, can voice their
concerns about legislative and regulatory challenges affecting their compa-
nies. Participants will help rank these challenges and recommend action steps
for BIA.”
The roundtables are the first in a four-step process of developing BIA
policy positions for the coming biennium. After input from all the roundtable
Workforce development is essential to NH’s long-term economic health
Thankfully, New Hampshire continues to see economic growth as we make
our way out of the worst recession in decades. Unemployment continues to drop
as demand for labor increases across virtually all business sectors.
Yet economic vitality is not only about whether people can find a job; it’s also
about aligning the competencies required by employers with the skills of the local
and regional labor pool.
The term “workforce development” means creating, sustaining and retain-
ing a viable workforce that can support current and future business and indus-
try needs. Workforce development in New Hampshire is a systemic challenge
that now has the attention of HR professionals all the way up to senior company
leadership and CEOs.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
SECOND QUARTER 2016 BUSINESS ROUNDTABLES
participants has been collated, a survey will be created for all
BIA members to rank their priorities. BIA staff analyzes these
results and brings recommended action steps to its five policy
committees in August (all BIA members are eligible to partici-
pate; see back page for a list of policy committee meetings
times). Lastly, policy committee recommendations are taken
to the Board of Directors, which determines BIA’s proactive
legislative and regulatory agenda for the next two years.
“BIA’s current public policy principles include – among
other priorities –advocating for measures which minimize
onerous permitting or regulation, minimize cost-shifting to the
private sector, and fostering a well-trained workforce. We re-
main opposed to efforts which unfairly impact New Hampshire
businesses or inappropriately or affect their ability to compete
on a level playing field,” said Juvet.
The business roundtables are open to business and
community leaders, and BIA and chamber of commerce
members. There is no charge to participate, but RSVPs are
suggested for planning purposes. You can reserve your spot
by contacting Lucie LaBambard at 603.224.5388 x100 or going
to www.BIAofNH.com/roundtables.
Locations and times for the roundtables are:
Monadnock Region with Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce People’s United Bank, 122 West Street, Keene Mon, June 20, 1 - 2:30 PM
Greater Nashua Area with Greater Hudson, Greater Nashua, Merrimack, & Souhegan chambers of commerce Nashua Community College, Wellness Center Conference Room, 505 Amherst St, Nashua Tues, June 21, 9 -10:30 AM
Upper Valley with Hanover Area & Lebanon Area chamber of commerce Hypertherm, 21 Great Hollow Road, Hanover Wed, June 22, 9 -10:30 AM
Manchester Area with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, & TriTown Chamber of Commerce Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, 54 Hanover St, Manchester Wed, June 22, 1 - 2:30 PM
“BUSINESS ROUNDTABLES” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR: Val Zanchuk President Graphicast
CHAIR-ELECT: Linda Fanaras President Millennium Integrated Marketing
PAST CHAIR: Sharron McCarthy President/Publisher McLean Communications
TREASURER: Karl Heafield Principal and Baker Newman Noyes Past Managing Partner
SECRETARY: Scott Ellison Partner Cook Little Rosenblatt and Manson
PRESIDENT/CEO: Jim Roche President Business and Industry Association of NH
DIRECTORS:
Todd Black SVP External Affairs & Unitil Customer Relations
Joseph Carelli President NH/VT Citizens Bank
Patrick Closson Director McLane Middleton
Cheryl Coletti VP Business Development Boston Asset Management
Timothy Dining President Sealite USA
Scott Filion President Velcro Americas
Douglas Folsom General Manager, Hooksett Plant GE Aviation
Suzanne Foster VP & General Manager Medtronic Advanced Energy
Katherine Garfield President Robert R. Keller & Associates
Lisa Guertin President & General Manager Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Pamela Hall CEO Normandeau Associates
Randall Labnon General Manager Town & Country Inn and Resort
Stephen Lawlor Principal Nathan Wechsler & Co.
Todd Leach Chancellor University System of New Hampshire
Stephen LeBlanc Executive Vice President Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health
Paul Markwardt VP & Deputy General Manager BAE Systems/Electronic Systems Sector
Peter Marsh VP Market Comcast Development-Northeast
Joseph Murray Vice President Fidelity Investments
John Olson Executive Vice President Whelen Engineering Company
William Quinlan President NH Electric Operations Eversource Energy
Timothy Sink President Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
Steven Shawver Executive VP & Sig Sauer Chief Legal Officer
Alexander Walker Senior Vice President for Catholic Medical Center Operations & Strategic Development
Donald Welch President Globe Manufacturing
Steven Webb Market President-NH TD Bank
Thomas White President New England Wire Technologies
David Worthen President Worthen Industries
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SECOND QUARTER 2016 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
3
Londonderry/ Salem Area with Greater Derry Londonderry & Greater Salem chambers of commerce Searles School and Chapel, 35 Range Road, Windham Thurs, June 23, 9 -10:30 AM
Seacoast Area with Exeter Area, Greater Dover , Greater Portsmouth, Greater Rochester, & Hampton Area chambers of commerce Pierce Atwood, 1 NH Ave, Suite 350, Portsmouth Mon, June 27, 1 - 2:30 PM
Greater Concord Region with Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, 49 S. Main Street, #104, Concord Tues, June 28, 9 – 10:30 AM
Lakes Region with Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce & Lakes Region Tourism Association Community Learning Center, 61 Laconia Road, Tilton Tues, June 28, 1 - 2:30 PM
Littleton Area with Western White Mountains & Littleton Area chambers of commerce
Littleton Opera House, 2 Union Street, Littleton
Wed, June 29, 9 -10:30 AM
development challenge facing these employers, both individually
and collectively, is pronounced, as the pool of suitable entry-level
candidates grows more shallow.
To be sure, workforce development challenges are not
unique to manufacturing. They are present in other important
sectors of the state’s economy including health care, professional
and financial services, high technology, and more.
For decades, businesses have relied on educators to prepare
the next generation for employment; however, as our economy
has evolved and labor availability and competency has become a
critical issue, more frequent and stronger collaborations between
business leaders and educators have emerged in order to pre-
pare younger workers for 21st century jobs.
The imperative that is workforce development explains
why BIA and its members rigorously advocate for high educa-
tion standards and accountability; why we support innovative
programs like Performance Assessment of Competency Educa-
tion that seek to provide students with “real world” learning and
capabilities needed for careers or college; why we’re very active in
the 65x25 initiative, which seeks to ensure that 65 percent of New
Hampshire’s workforce has a postsecondary credential or degree
by 2025 (we’re currently at about 51 percent); and why BIA works
collaboratively with education professionals and business leaders
on numerous efforts intended to produce more workplace-ready
high school, technical/community college, and university gradu-
ates.
When employers are considering expanding operations, high
on their list of requirements is a workplace-ready, available pool
of skilled workers. If New Hampshire falls behind in its commit-
ment to workforce development, we create barriers for employ-
ment growth. Worse, we incentivize employers to consider mov-
ing existing jobs to other parts of the country (or world) where
the needs of business are better aligned with a geographic area’s
commitment to workforce development.
Creating, sustaining and retaining a viable workforce that can
support current and future business and industry needs is critical
to ensuring economic prosperity for all.
While more people are landing jobs, fewer of them enter the
workforce with all the skills required to perform effectively. These
include routine office tasks – like drafting professional letters and
memos or giving and receiving instructions – to tasks requiring
technical proficiency, such as those on today’s sophisticated shop
floor.
Workforce development is one of the Business and Industry
Association’s top concerns, reflecting the challenges it presents to
member companies throughout the state.
The dearth of qualified labor particularly affects advanced
manufacturing, New Hampshire’s most important economic
sector by nearly every measure. Employees meeting manufactur-
ing’s demand for higher-end skills are rewarded with the best
compensation of any economic sector in the state. The workforce
“WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
SECOND QUARTER 2016 ENERGY STRATEGY
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We need an all-resource energy strategy
The latest in a long line of studies looking at energy
technologies again highlights the need to expand New England’s
ability to secure and deliver lower cost energy.
This latest study by the University of Delaware’s Special
Initiative on Offshore Wind has a solution. Not surprisingly, the
solution it offers is development of offshore wind in the decades
ahead. But offshore wind development, while very promising,
does little to meet the needs of New Hampshire businesses and
industry over the next five to 10 years.
The US Energy Information Administration reminds us that
despite the relatively mild winter, New Hampshire households
continue to pay well in excess of 50 percent more than the
national average for electricity and almost 70 percent more for
natural gas.
The University of Delaware report follows a variety of other
technology or project-focused studies from advocates for
natural gas pipelines, other renewable energy resources, electric
transmission lines and new power plants.
The abundance of such studies with competing views has
stymied decision-making and has further polarized energy
project supporters and opponents who, in most cases, have
similar laudable goals – more affordable energy and a cleaner
environment.
Not often mentioned is system reliability, which is likely to
become a growing concern as ISO New England, the organization
that oversees the region’s interconnected bulk electric power
system, warns about future power plant shutdowns (such as the
Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Massachusetts) and integration of
intermittent renewable resources, such as solar and wind, into the
power system.
ISO recently reported that by 2019, 4,200 megawatts of
electricity generation will retire, with another 6,000 at risk of
retirement by 2020. Alarmingly, this represents nearly one-third of
the region’s electricity supply.
Among the plants ISO identifies as “at risk” are three in New
Hampshire: Merrimack, Newington and Schiller.
Renewables and energy efficiency, which the region is
already pursuing aggressively, will help fill this gap. But they
alone are not enough to meet the needs of businesses and
institutions that depend on reliable power around the clock
with prices that are affordable, predictable and stable. New
England will still need new natural gas-fired power plants to
make up for the impeding supply deficit.
The problem is that the region’s natural gas pipeline
system is maxed out. ISO recently noted that over 4,000
megawatts of existing natural gas generation are at risk of
not being able to get fuel during the winter when natural
gas electricity generation competes with space heating.
Fortunately, this winter has been unseasonably warm, which
masks the longer-range outlook.
A study conducted last year for the New England
Coalition for Affordable Energy took an all-resource
approach. It assumed aggressive energy efficiency and
solar initiatives would continue and a combination of new
transmission lines, onshore wind, new gas pipelines and new
natural gas-fired power plants would be built over the next
few years. These steps, the study found, could help the region
avoid $5.4 billion in higher energy costs, with most of those
costs hitting consumers in 2019 and 2020.
Many projects have been proposed and are under
review that would meet, and even exceed, those levels. But all
face strong opposition.
New Hampshire officials are working with officials in
other states to address these issues. Governors have noted
the need for new pipelines, transmission lines, wind projects
and the pursuit of efficiency and solar. Ultimately, the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission will determine if pipeline
projects are in the public interest and meet safety and
environmental requirements. Similar reviews are taking place
for transmission lines, such as Northern Pass, which is subject
to both federal and state approvals.
To avoid the consequences of inaction, the region needs
to pursue an all-resource strategy if the region’s energy
prices are to become more affordable and energy supplies
more reliable.
by Carl Gustin, New England Coalition for Affordable Energy
SECOND QUARTER 2016 BUSINESS PAC | ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE
5
NH Business PACThe New Hampshire Business Political Action Committee
(PAC) is designed to generate stronger business participation in
the political process. The nonpartisan New Hampshire Business
PAC, launched by BIA in 2006, financially supports pro-business
legislative incumbents and candidates. It does not contribute to
candidates for federal office.
Through financial contributions, the New Hampshire
Business PAC supports candidates for the legislature who hold
public policy positions compatible with BIA’s. The PAC fosters
and encourages the highest quality public sector leadership and
participation of the business community in the political process
to promote a favorable climate for job creation and a strong New
Hampshire economy.
If you have questions about the New Hampshire Business