AGP Executive Report

Dartmouth Health finances: Dartmouth Health says it ran a $63.5 million deficit over six months, blaming weather-related patient revenue hits plus higher labor and medication costs, even as volumes rose. NH housing investment: The state’s InvestNH 2.0 program approved $5.1 million in zero-percent forgivable loans for 563 workforce housing units, including 30 units in Jaffrey tied to the former St. Patrick’s School site. Local real estate dispute: A Bedford real estate firm is suing to rescind a $1.625 million Keene apartment purchase, alleging it was misled on occupancy, finances, and construction history. Business expansion: The Master Group completed its acquisition of DCNE, a 63-year-old New England HVAC-R distributor, adding eight locations across MA, ME, NH and RI. Broadband buildout: Sertex announced it will acquire Trenchworks Inc. to expand fiber construction capacity in Maine and New Hampshire. Energy prices: AAA reports gas prices falling as summer travel ramps up, with the national average down to about $3.99. Policy and compliance: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law banning the sale of children’s online data (effective Jan. 1, 2027). Credit watch: Summit BHC’s credit outlook was cut to negative after an out-of-court debt restructuring.

Harbor Logistics for Sail Boston: Tug crews say they’re the unsung workhorses behind Sail Boston’s 250th anniversary, moving massive cargo through tight waterways like Boston’s Chelsea Creek—critical, but often invisible in the spotlight. Heat-Cost Relief for Homeowners: With hotter, more humid summers hitting New Hampshire, NHSaves rebates can cut the cost of new air conditioners and heat pumps, including $50 turn-in rebates for qualifying equipment and smaller purchase incentives for ENERGY STAR units. Education Freedom Account Oversight: After five years of New Hampshire’s EFA program, lawmakers are pushing for clearer rules and tighter verification—especially around special education funding—though near-term changes look unlikely. Sportsmen Fee Pressure: New Hampshire Fish and Game is weighing higher hunting and fishing license fees after a decade of flat rates, arguing costs have risen while revenue hasn’t. Defense Production Reality Check: A look at the B-21 Raider explains why doubling production quickly is hard, even as Washington funds a ramp-up. Dartmouth Health Financial Strain: Dartmouth Health reported a $63.5 million deficit over six months, citing weather-related closures and higher labor and medication costs. NH Business Pulse: A new NH Fiscal Policy Institute analysis points to weaker summer employment growth in recent years, with tourism drag (including fewer Canadian visitors) weighing on hiring.

Economy & Jobs: New Hampshire’s summer employment growth is rebounding only slightly, with the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute pointing to weaker-than-usual gains over the past decade and a notable 2025 slowdown tied to a sharp drop in Canadian tourists. Healthcare Finance: Dartmouth Health reported a $63.5 million deficit for the first six months of its fiscal year, blaming “weather-related closures” that cut patient revenue plus higher labor and medication costs. Federal Research & Industry: UNH is leading a NOAA-backed $13.5 million aquaculture push through a new cooperative institute aimed at expanding and strengthening America’s seafood supply. Local Business & Community: BrightBridge Credit Union’s charity golf classic raised more than $71,000 for the BrightBridge Foundation, supporting financial education and community programs in the region. Weather & Risk: Monday’s commute may stay mostly dry, but rain chances rise after 2 p.m., with showers and possible thunderstorms Monday night. NH Culture & Education: Stevens High School’s yearbook earned a National Yearbook Program of Excellence award at the Silver Level.

Healthcare Innovation: Elliot Hospital in Manchester says a Bethel-born physician assistant helped pioneer Northern New England’s first robotic-assisted total shoulder replacement in Dec. 2025, with about 25 reverse total shoulder surgeries completed and “encouraging” early outcomes. Waste & Environment: Casella Waste Systems withdrew a wetlands permit application tied to its Dalton, N.H., landfill plans, though the company says it will keep pushing other parts of the project forward. Business Leadership: Hub International named Paul Collins Northeast Area President effective July 1, expanding his role across HUB’s Northeast and New England footprint. Local Economy & Events: Laconia Motorcycle Week’s 103rd birthday drew Gov. Kelly Ayotte to the NASWA, with organizers saying the rally is a major statewide economic driver. Cost of Living: AARP and United Way expanded the 211 Caregiver Support Program into New Hampshire and other states, aiming to reach millions of family caregivers. Energy & Travel: AAA reports the national gas average dipped to about $3.95 as summer travel ramps up. Lottery: Powerball’s June 20 drawing produced winning numbers 16-20-44-48-50 with Powerball 15.

Laconia Motorcycle Week Economy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte joined NASWA at The NASWA Resort to celebrate the 103rd birthday of Laconia Motorcycle Week, a nine-day event that typically brings in more than $100 million statewide. Landfill Fight: Casella Waste Systems withdrew a wetlands permit application tied to its Dalton, N.H. landfill plans, though the company says it will keep pushing forward and other permits remain in dispute. Insurance/Business Leadership: Hub International named Paul Collins Northeast Area President, effective July 1, expanding his role to lead both HUB Northeast and HUB New England. Healthcare Costs (NH Medicaid): New Hampshire communities saw Medicaid spending shifts in 2024, including rising Evaluation and Management bills in Somersworth and big growth in Temporary Codes in Boscawen. Child Care Pressure in NH: A new report highlights NH’s child care crisis, with steep price increases and fewer licensed providers since 2017. Caregiver Support Expansion: AARP and United Way expanded the 211 Caregiver Support Program into New Hampshire and other states, adding more access for family caregivers. Gas Prices: AAA reports the national average for regular gas at $3.95 as Iran-related conflict continues to keep pump costs elevated. Public Safety/Weather: Storms and high winds caused damage across southern New Hampshire, with officials unable to confirm a tornado but citing microburst activity and widespread tree/wire damage. Local Business Hiring: Ocean State Job Lot announced hiring events in Vermont with dozens of openings, part-time and seasonal roles.

Hiring & Retail Jobs: Ocean State Job Lot will hold walk-in hiring events at its St. Johnsbury, Vt. store (June 24 and June 26), with about 40 openings for part-time seasonal roles. Lottery: Vermont Lottery posted June 19 results for Mega Millions, Gimme 5, Pick 3/4, and Millionaire for Life, plus Tri-State game numbers. Public Safety & Local Economy: Manchester police arrested a suspect in the shooting of two DPW workers; the victims were treated and released, and the motive is still under investigation. State Politics & Business Climate: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a NH bathroom bill (SB 552) while signing 54 bills overall, keeping pressure on school and workplace policy debates. Education & School Choice: A new NH law bars districts from charging voucher students for taking public school courses, shifting costs and raising questions for CTE centers. Housing & Affordability: A national Realtor.com report graded New Hampshire in the D range for homebuilding and affordability, with coastal states faring worst. Rural Health Funding: NH lawmakers and officials discussed GO-NORTH and rural health transformation plans aimed at reshaping care delivery with $200M+ in federal support. Weather Disruption: Storm damage reports included high winds and downed trees/wires, with officials in Tuftonboro unable to confirm a tornado but citing microburst activity.

Public Safety: Manchester police arrested Sean Day, 32, charging him with two counts of first-degree assault after a shooting injured two DPW workers Thursday. Trade & Energy: A review of the USMCA is set to spotlight New Hampshire’s $2.75B in trade with Canada, with fuel oil alone driving about $447M of annual imports. Education & School Choice: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed HB 1817 so voucher students can take public school courses for free, banning districts from charging them—raising cost concerns for districts and the state. Rural Health Funding: Ayotte’s GO-NORTH program and a Rural Health Transformation plan aim to deploy more than $200M to rebuild rural care access, coordination and workforce capacity. Health Care Costs for Seniors: Nursing homes are adjusting after Medicaid rate changes cut funding; one Epsom facility says grocery and fuel costs rose while reimbursement fell. Local Business Expansion: Lamacchia Realty expanded into Vermont, completing its brokerage footprint across all six New England states. Community & Fundraising: United Way of Greater Nashua’s “Over the Edge” returns with more than 100 participants rappelling to raise money. Child Well-Being: New Hampshire remains top-ranked nationally for child well-being, but education scores slid, according to recent Kids Count findings.

Housing Policy: New Hampshire lawmakers moved to tighten and clarify the rules for multifamily housing in commercial zones, reaffirming that these projects are allowed by right while limiting municipal review to legitimate infrastructure concerns. Public Safety: Manchester police arrested Sean Day after a brazen shooting injured two DPW workers; both were treated and released, and investigators say the attack wasn’t random. Storm Impacts: Thousands of power outages hit New Hampshire after Thursday’s storms, with weather officials tracking severe conditions and follow-on showers. Regional Economic Development: Five northern NH organizations won Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst awards totaling more than $8.1 million, aimed at boosting rural infrastructure and opportunity. Local Economy & Tourism: Reporting highlights growing anxiety in the Lakes Region hospitality industry as small businesses brace for economic pressure and the loss of Canadian visitors. Business & Community: Monadnock Food Co-op’s 10-plus year growth story underscores how community-owned grocery models keep local dollars circulating. National Business Context: A study says weak local news coverage costs taxpayers about $1.1 billion a year, and a separate craft beer production map shows where output concentrates nationwide.

Governor’s Race Fundraising: Gov. Kelly Ayotte is pulling far ahead of Cinde Warmington in campaign cash, with new finance filings showing Ayotte collected about $3.7 million overall and $1.6 million this year, leaving Warmington at roughly $635,000 overall. Housing Finance: New Hampshire’s InvestNH 2.0 is set to award $5.1 million for 563 housing units, including 502 affordable workforce homes, after Executive Council approval. Local Business Closures: Bark & Bevy in Enfield—restaurant, bar, and indoor dog park—closed permanently as sales fell after Mother’s Day and owners cited mounting financial pressure. Environment & Waste: Casella Waste Systems withdrew its wetlands permit application for a proposed Dalton landfill near a state park, though other permit steps remain in motion. Outdoor Economy: The Granite Outdoor Alliance’s sold-out “Barn Raiser” in Plymouth highlighted the sector’s $4.2 billion annual impact on NH’s economy and pushed for better execution across the industry. Workforce & Childcare Funding: Northern Border Regional Commission grants totaling $9.3 million are headed to northern NH for childcare, infrastructure, workforce development, and rural health. Education Accountability: Lawmakers are pressing the state’s school voucher program over whether it tracks academic progress for students with disabilities. Public Safety: Police say a trail of dropped cigarettes helped lead to the arrest of alleged Hinsdale mini mart robbers in Massachusetts. Community Events: Littleton’s downtown block party drew about 18,500 attendees, underscoring steady demand for local shopping and events.

Rare Earth Supply Chain: The Pentagon is backing a $500 million rare earth processing push, with Phoenix Tailings’ Exeter, N.H. and Burlington, Mass. facilities feeding a planned “Freedom Facility” to boost U.S. midstream capacity for magnet materials used in defense and EVs. Diplomacy & Energy: The U.S. and Iran signed a peace memorandum at Versailles, with Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. lifting a naval blockade—an effort aimed at ending the war and easing energy-price pressure. NH Courts: New Hampshire courts are piloting a way to verify defendants’ income for court-appointed attorneys by checking confidential wage records, after concerns about potential misuse. Local Business & Jobs: Sertex Broadband Solutions acquired Maine’s TrenchWorks to expand fiber work across northern New England, adding crews and equipment for broadband buildouts. Food & Community: Dover chef Evan Hennessey won the James Beard “Best Chef in the Northeast,” while a Holderness shoreline restoration project is tackling runoff and erosion to protect Squam Lake. Public Safety & Environment: NH Fish and Game is urging backyard poultry and bird-feeders owners to use electric fencing and avoid bear attractants to reduce human-bear conflicts. Sports Business: Caroline Harvey, a New Hampshire native, went first overall in the PWHL draft to Vancouver.

NH Courts & Justice: New Hampshire’s judiciary is piloting a way to verify defendants’ income when they request court-appointed attorneys, using confidential wage data from New Hampshire Employment Security to reduce concerns about misuse. Consumer Protection: The attorney general is investigating consumer protection concerns at Hopkinton’s manufactured housing park after residents raised alarms about costs and practices. Environment & Development: Casella has withdrawn a wetlands permit application tied to its contested Dalton landfill plans, though the company says it will keep pushing forward on other approvals. Energy Costs: A column questions why Community Power electric rates have run higher than default utility service, arguing the “competition” isn’t real yet because default rates rely on spot-market purchases. State Policy & Fees: New Hampshire Fish and Game floated higher hunting and fishing license fees, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s office says she opposed the increase and asked the department to pull it back. Local Economy: Manchester was named one of America’s best-run cities in a WalletHub ranking, citing how local governments manage budgets and services. Workforce & Community: AARP and United Way expanded the 211 caregiver support program into New Hampshire, adding more access for family caregivers. Public Health: The CDC reports the U.S. infant mortality rate hit a record low in 2025, while the racial gap for Black infants remains stubbornly high.

New Hampshire Health Care & Medicaid: A roundtable with Rep. Maggie Goodlander says NH hospital systems are under strain as inpatient demand rises and uncompensated care grows, with looming Medicaid eligibility and enrollment changes that could put hundreds of thousands at risk. Education Accountability: Lawmakers question whether NH’s school voucher program is tracking academic progress for students with disabilities, arguing the Education Freedom Account lacks the public performance reporting required in traditional schools. Sports & Local Business: Coca-Cola is rolling out collectible “America 250” cans, including a New Hampshire-themed hiker design, as the nation marks its 250th birthday. State Economy & Jobs: New data shows fewer people working in NH over the past year, even as wages rise in parts of the state. Outdoor & Agriculture: Southeast NH drought is stressing water supplies, but strawberry season is still moving forward with farmers watching groundwater recovery. Consumer Watch: A NH man says StubHub failed to deliver World Cup tickets he bought, triggering replacement and refund issues. Public Safety: Federal and state law enforcement warn of financial exploitation targeting older adults, including romance, investment, and crypto scams. Business & Hiring: Ocean State Job Lot plans hiring events in Vermont, signaling continued regional retail staffing needs. Tech for Aging: A UNH-funded robot caregiver is helping an aging couple manage daily tasks at home, pointing to more automation in elder care.

Education Freedom Account Oversight: New Hampshire lawmakers are pressing the Children’s Scholarship Fund NH over whether the state’s $50M school voucher program tracks academic progress for about 10,600 students, especially those with disabilities, since the nonprofit doesn’t require annual academic evaluations or publicly report test results like public schools do. Labor Market Watch: A new U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics snapshot shows about 4,000 fewer people working in New Hampshire from Dec. 2024 to Dec. 2025, with losses in retail/wholesale and manufacturing, while healthcare, arts/entertainment, casinos and restaurants added jobs and wages rose about 4.6%. Car Insurance Costs: Insurify reports NH remains the cheapest state for car insurance in June 2026, with liability and full-coverage rates below national averages. Local Business Growth: Wakefern is taking applications for its 2027 Local Supplier Summit, seeking Northeast and Mid-Atlantic suppliers—including New Hampshire—for potential placement in ShopRite and other banners. Healthcare Workforce: UMaine approved new Ph.D. in Nursing and DNP programs starting in 2027, aiming to address nurse educator and advanced practice nurse shortages. NH Spotlight in Food: Dover chef Evan Hennessey won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Northeast. Public Media: NHPR says it earned eight 2026 journalism awards, including six Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.

NH Economy & Taxes: A new explainer from JBartlett.org breaks down New Hampshire’s Business Enterprise Tax (BET), including how it works as an alternative minimum tax and why automatic BET rate cuts wouldn’t give big corporations a simple windfall. Housing & Development: Lawrence city commissioners will consider up to $37.3 million in industrial revenue bonds for 131 market-rate apartments, seeking sales-tax exemptions on construction materials (no property tax breaks). Healthcare & Workforce: A Northern Border Regional Commission funding round sent $9.3 million to 21 NH grantees, including a $1 million Boys & Girls Club childcare facility in West Lebanon. Public Safety: A suspicious fire destroyed the Spaulding Building at the former Laconia State School property; crews from across the Lakes Region contained it quickly and no one was injured. Food & Business Reputation: Dover chef Evan Hennessey won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northeast, spotlighting the Washington Street Mills restaurant Stages. Regulatory Watch: New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a bill that would have let medical cannabis dispensaries operate greenhouse grow sites. Consumer Privacy: Hawaiʻi’s consumer protection office joined a coalition opposing the federal SECURE Data Act, warning it could preempt stronger state privacy rules. National Policy Impact: Social Security trustees say benefit cuts could arrive in 2032, earlier than previously projected, if Congress doesn’t act.

New Hampshire Politics & Business Climate: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a bill that would have let medical-marijuana dispensaries grow their own cannabis via on-site greenhouses, a move supporters said could expand supply and lower prices. Local Economic Development: A Granite Post report says the developer behind a failed Nottingham data center proposal donated to Ayotte’s campaign, underscoring how quickly projects can stall without statewide guardrails. Housing Affordability Pressure: Zillow found 242 U.S. cities now have “starter homes” costing at least $1 million, a sign of how affordability strain is spreading beyond coastal markets—New Hampshire is among the states seeing big price gains. Child Well-Being & Workforce Impacts: The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count report says child well-being deteriorated in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with education and health metrics worsening; New Hampshire ranks highest overall. Consumer Privacy Policy: Hawaiʻi’s consumer protection office joined a coalition opposing the federal SECURE Data Act, arguing it would cap stronger state privacy protections. UNH & Seafood Supply: UNH was selected by NOAA to lead a five-year effort to boost sustainable domestic seafood production, aiming to narrow the U.S. seafood trade deficit. Gambling & State Revenue: New Hampshire Lottery officials say gaming returns are rising fast, even as lawmakers face growing concerns about addiction and revenue volatility.

Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall to a Class I, highest-risk category, tied to possible Salmonella contamination from a dry milk powder ingredient; the recall covers 913 cases distributed to 41 states, including New Hampshire, with “best by” dates spanning early 2028. Gambling & State Revenue: A new report on how New Hampshire’s gambling expansion is playing out highlights rising revenue reliance and the growing need for problem-gambling help as options multiply. Child Health & Policy: The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count report says child well-being deteriorated in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with education and health metrics worsening and more kids lacking insurance; New Hampshire ranks highest nationally in one state scorecard. Local Economy & Tourism: World Cup buzz is boosting sales for Manchester’s Suley’s Soccer Center, with merchandise sales up about 50% as shoppers look for jerseys, stickers and gear. Environment & Recreation: NH is restarting cyanobacteria “response-based monitoring,” listing several southern lakes/ponds with reported blooms and warning conditions may worsen after heavy rain and warm weather. Business & Workforce: Analogic’s HQ move to Salem is expected to bring more than 500 jobs, adding momentum to the state’s tech and manufacturing ecosystem. Community & Culture: Super Secret Ice Cream in Bethlehem earned a James Beard nomination, underscoring how small NH brands are breaking out nationally.