Joe Kenney represents District 1, David Wheeler represents District 5, and John Stephen represents District 4 on the New Hampshire Executive Council.
As members of the New Hampshire Executive Council, we have a duty to ensure that our state’s leadership aligns with the priorities of our constituents and delivers results for the citizens and taxpayers. After careful consideration, we have decided to oppose the renomination of Taylor Caswell as Commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA).
While we appreciate his eight years of service — including his oversight of American Rescue Plan Act funds during the COVID-19 pandemic — we believe New Hampshire needs fresh leadership to address critical shortcomings and seize untapped opportunities for economic growth.
Our decision is rooted in a shared conviction that the BEA must refocus on its core mission: fostering high-value job creation by supporting businesses of all sizes and promoting balanced economic development across all regions of our state, particularly in underserved areas. Unfortunately, under Commissioner Caswell’s leadership, the BEA has fallen short in several key areas, prompting our call for a new direction.
Misaligned Budget Priorities
First, the BEA’s budget priorities are misaligned with New Hampshire’s economic needs. The commissioner requested just $50,000 for business marketing while dedicating millions to travel and tourism promotion. This imbalance neglects the urgent need to actively recruit and retain businesses that can drive long-term economic stability. For years, the BEA has lacked a dedicated recruitment and retention budget to attract new enterprises, putting New Hampshire at a competitive disadvantage compared to states like Maine, which has aggressively invested in its $5.3 billion forestry industry through innovative programs supporting both traditional and advanced technologies. In contrast, New Hampshire’s $1.4 billion forestry sector — a vital economic engine in rural areas like the North Country — has seen little leadership or support from the BEA, allowing Maine to outpace us in wood product markets.
New Hampshire has a fantastic story to sell to employers across the region. We have no income or sales tax, excellent health care, strong educational opportunities, and an incredibly safe environment. The lack of promotion of our state’s business climate stands in stark contrast to other Northeastern states, which routinely market themselves on national business networks. That we’re not making our case falls squarely at the feet of the BEA Commissioner.
Neglect of Rural Development
Additionally, the BEA has failed to prioritize major economic development initiatives in rural regions. In the North Country, for example, critical projects have been overlooked or outright ignored by the BEA, despite their potential to boost manufacturing and small business growth. The loss of a business advisor for the Small Business Development Center in the northern part of the state has further hindered local entrepreneurs, leaving communities without the resources they need to thrive. This neglect is particularly troubling when neighboring states are doubling down on rural economic revitalization.
Fiscal Mismanagement
We are also concerned about the BEA’s fiscal oversight under Commissioner Caswell. The Executive Council has repeatedly had to reject overpriced contracts brought forward by the BEA — including $4 million in proposed tourism photography contracts, an $8 million contract for a high-priced consulting firm to develop a business service portal, and most recently, a $1.2 million research contract for overpriced out-of-state consultants to tell us how to market our own state. These proposals reflect a troubling pattern of prioritizing flashy expenditures over substantive investments in job creation and economic development. New Hampshire taxpayers deserve a BEA that exercises prudent fiscal management and focuses on high-impact initiatives that deliver measurable results.
Agency Culture and Leadership Gaps
Finally, our discussions with current and former BEA employees tell the story of an agency in need of effective leadership. These workers describe a troubling disconnect between the commissioner and staff that undermines the agency’s mission. This is a department that needs a new, reinvigorating leader who can restore trust, credibility, and cohesiveness within the workforce.
We have each spoken with Governor Ayotte, industry stakeholders, and constituents across the state, and our conclusion is clear: the BEA needs a leader who can maximize its potential, ignite economic growth in every corner of New Hampshire, and bring fresh ideas to the table. We believe a change in leadership is necessary to address these challenges and set a bold new course for the next decade. High-value jobs, robust support for businesses of all sizes, and a renewed focus on rural economic development must be the BEA’s top priorities moving forward.
As Executive Councilors, we are committed to putting New Hampshire’s economic future first. 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.
The time for change is now.
