Sometimes, public policymakers fail to recognize success—even when it’s staring them in the face.
Case in point: The Executive Council’s hesitancy to reappoint Taylor Caswell as commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) makes little sense. The BEA oversees economic development, business recruitment, tourism promotion, and workforce development in our state.
Caswell has done an admirable job and has been recognized by leading voices in the business community as well as the tourism and outdoor industries for his strong leadership.
Originally appointed by Gov. Chris Sununu in 2017, Caswell was renominated by Gov. Kelly Ayotte—an act of leadership and resolve that reflects her recognition of Caswell’s effectiveness and the need for stability in a key position vital to the economic well-being of every New Hampshire business and worker.
Look no further than the economic data comparing New Hampshire to the other 49 states:
- Lowest poverty rate in the nation — Wikipedia
- 7th lowest unemployment rate (3.1 percent) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- 8th highest per capita income — StatsAmerica
- 6th best state business tax climate — Tax Foundation
- 5th best state economy — WalletHub
- 2nd most livable state in America — U.S. News and World Report
Each of these rankings matters, but perhaps none more than the U.S. News and World Report “Most Livable State” ranking, which evaluates eight key categories, including economy, natural environment, and opportunity—all areas under BEA’s stewardship and a direct reflection of Caswell’s leadership.
If one were to judge Taylor Caswell on New Hampshire’s economic rankings alone, he would clearly deserve swift confirmation for another term.
But his leadership goes beyond statistics.
When New Hampshire faced the unprecedented economic threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Sununu tapped Caswell to lead the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery. In collaboration with the governor and other state agencies, Caswell helped reopen businesses and ensured effective deployment of federal pandemic recovery funds.
It may be easy to forget those dark days now, but I remember them well from my time in the New Hampshire Senate, working alongside Gov. Sununu and Commissioner Caswell to get people back to work, protect public health, and manage federal relief responsibly.
New Hampshire’s current economic strength relative to other states is a testament to the highly effective leadership of both Sununu and Caswell during the pandemic.
The only criticism leveled at Caswell is that he hasn’t done enough for the North Country. That claim is simply not supported by facts.
Caswell is a North Country resident who deeply cares about that beautiful part of our state.
He led efforts to use federal pandemic funding to upgrade telecommunications and internet infrastructure—benefiting Coös County and surrounding areas. He also directed funding to enhance state parks, rebuild critical dams, upgrade fish hatcheries, support the New Hampshire Veterans Home, improve municipal boat launch facilities, and bolster public safety communications in Northern Border and Coös County dispatch centers.
Under his leadership, federal funds were also deployed to improve mental health services, substance abuse treatment, public health initiatives, housing, and rental assistance—all of which helped residents across the state, including in the North Country.
Caswell helped secure financing for investments at the Gorham paper mill, protecting jobs in the forest products industry. He worked to implement Gov. Sununu’s InvestNH Housing Fund to increase affordable housing and expanded nursing programs at White Mountains Community College.
The suggestion that Caswell has not supported the North Country is simply not factual.
Thankfully, Gov. Ayotte is standing firmly behind his renomination. Now it’s time for the Executive Council to do the same. The continued uncertainty surrounding his appointment risks undermining the very economic progress New Hampshire has worked so hard to achieve.
