AGP Executive Report

Food Safety & Local Economy: Michigan health officials say cyclospora cases are declining, ending the broad “avoid bagged salad mixes” warning tied to recalled iceberg lettuce—good news for restaurant and grocery operators watching demand after the outbreak. Public Health Watch: The CDC/FDA say the Taylor Farms-linked cyclospora cluster has expanded to 15 states, with officials warning confirmed cases may still rise even as the recalled product should be off shelves. NH Business & Tourism: Canadian tourism is slowly returning to New Hampshire after a rough 2025, with the Canada-driven decline narrowing to about 5% and early upticks in the Lakes Region and Portsmouth. Workforce & Hiring: A new look at H-2A/H-2B seasonal visa programs highlights how New England employers rely on foreign seasonal labor to cover predictable demand spikes. Environment & Regulation: EPA preliminary moves support New Hampshire’s plan to end mandatory vehicle inspections/emissions testing, a shift that could affect compliance costs for drivers and local inspection businesses. State Politics & Policy: NH’s home care program for medically complex children now requires written notice for plan changes, aiming to prevent sudden hour cuts. Retail & Growth: Anna’s Taqueria is opening its first New Hampshire location in Concord, signaling continued expansion for fast-casual chains in the state. Healthcare Fraud Push: Multiple state attorneys general, including NH’s, are urging Congress to expand states’ authority to pursue Medicaid fraud.

Child Care Funding Clarification: New Hampshire childcare providers got a direct federal answer: TANF dollars—and Child Care and Development Fund dollars—can’t be used for the state’s childcare workforce grant, a blow to the $15 million plan aimed at recruiting and retaining staff. Food Safety & Public Health: The CDC says the cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has expanded to 15 states, adding Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina; officials warn case counts may keep rising as illnesses from earlier exposures get confirmed. Energy Policy: A new New Hampshire report argues the state shouldn’t leave the regional electric grid, saying pulling out would raise costs; instead, it points to pushing for changes in ISO-NE oversight and transmission spending. Local Housing Rules: Kingston’s commercial-zone housing shift is getting unraveled after a late change made multi-family development “by right,” stripping away many local density and permitting limits towns had adopted. Business & Tech: Parker Software says its automation tools helped GenTent save $25,000 by streamlining order intake and inventory syncing. Community & Veterans: Easterseals NH broke ground on Phase II of its military and veterans campus expansion in Franklin, adding new empowerment and equine recreation facilities. Local Government Hiring: Plymouth hired Corey Davenport as town manager, with a start date of Oct. 6, after he served as administrator in New Hampton.

Food Safety: The CDC says cyclospora linked to iceberg lettuce now involves 15 states, including New Hampshire, with investigators pointing to Taylor Farms and a recall tied to shredded lettuce distributed to restaurants and retailers. Public Health & Business Risk: The outbreak’s spread underscores how long investigations can take and why local health systems may feel pressure even when the general risk is described as low. Pharma & Enforcement: Acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills announced a $400 million multi-state settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition-limiting conduct, with about $469 million total expected if approved. Energy & Regulation: A New Hampshire grid “exit” is looking unlikely; instead, lawmakers are debating how to reform ISO-NE oversight and transmission spending to lower costs. Infrastructure & Growth: Phoenix Tailings, backed by a Pentagon loan, is expanding a New Hampshire refinery effort aimed at reducing reliance on China for critical minerals used in weapons. Local Policy: New Hampshire’s food-waste landfill ban still can’t be fully enforced due to insufficient composting and diversion capacity. Construction Oversight: Peterborough is updating its third-party building inspection policy after a 2025 state law opened the door for approved private inspectors. Crime & Courts: A Jaffrey man was arrested on five felony counts for possessing child sexual abuse images after a CyberTipline-triggered investigation. Arts & Community: The NH Women’s Caucus for Art awarded scholarships to three visual-arts students, including a tie for first place.

Antitrust & Drug Pricing: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a 43-state coalition in a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and competition-limiting conduct, with about $469 million total expected if approved, plus injunctive reforms and internal compliance changes. New Hampshire Energy Policy: A new look at New Hampshire’s electricity grid debate says leaving ISO New England would likely raise costs, pushing lawmakers toward targeted reforms instead of an exit. Public Health & Food Safety: The Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taco Bell and/or Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce keeps widening, with New Hampshire now among 15 states reporting more than 10,000 confirmed cases. Healthcare Workforce: Elliot Hospital’s Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program is using a $3 million federal nursing grant to cover non-tuition costs like transportation and supplies to help students stay in nursing. Consumer Protection/Local Business: A Salem, N.H. multifamily deal—78 School St.—closed off-market for $1.678 million, underscoring strong demand for small southern New Hampshire apartment buildings. Legal/Finance: A class action has been filed in the District of New Hampshire against Planet Fitness over alleged securities fraud tied to disappointing membership growth.

Healthcare & Workforce: Elliot Hospital’s Granite State P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program is using a $3M federal nursing expansion grant to cover “hidden” costs like uniforms, groceries and transportation so NH students can stay enrolled and finish nursing school. Commercial Real Estate: New England Realty Advisors LLC brokered an off-market $1.678M sale of Salem’s School Street Apartments (78 School St.), underscoring strong demand for small multifamily near I-93. Leadership in Health Care: Dr. Scott Wolf launched NorthWolf Advisory to coach and develop healthcare executives and physician leaders amid burnout, workforce shortages and regulatory pressure. Local Politics & Public Policy: NH House and Senate set Aug. 19 Veto Day to consider 31 of Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s vetoes, including renewed “bathroom bills” and school-related measures. Privacy & Data Governance: Vermont joined the Consortium of Privacy Regulators, alongside NH and others, as Act 145’s consumer data protections roll toward a 2028 start. State Business Watch: NH charitable casino revenue hit $42.4M in June, up 31% year-over-year, with VLTs still the biggest driver.

NH Business & Economy: Albany International (Portsmouth) reported Q2 net income of $17.4M (61 cents/share) on $329.5M revenue, with adjusted earnings of 82 cents/share; it expects 3Q EPS of 60–70 cents and revenue of $320M–$330M. Healthcare Policy: The DOJ’s new disability-rights legal opinion is raising alarms that states may not be required to fund home-based services, setting up fresh court fights over protections for millions of people with disabilities. Education & School Choice: Thirty-one states, including West Virginia and Ohio, have opted into the federal Education Freedom Scholarship Program ahead of the January 2027 deadline, while several Democratic-led states remain out over oversight and accountability concerns. State & Consumer Costs: New Hampshire appears in WalletHub’s “best states to have a baby” list (No. 5), while a separate study ranks New Jersey highest for lifetime property taxes—highlighting how housing costs keep driving political and business pressure. Defense Supply Chain: A New Hampshire critical-minerals refinery, Phoenix Tailings, is expanding with a $500M Pentagon loan to process mining waste as the U.S. tries to reduce China dependence. Local Community: Meredith Village Savings Bank is backing the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s 60th anniversary with a $10,000 sponsorship, supporting nature education and access.

Healthcare & Veterans: Sen. Bernie Sanders announced new VA outpatient clinics in South Burlington, Vt., and West Chesterfield, N.H., with both facilities slated to begin seeing patients in spring 2029, including new dental services in Vermont. Public Health: A Cyclospora outbreak is expanding nationally, with CDC suspected-case counts far above last year’s pace and no reported deaths tied to the outbreak. Community Development Finance: NH Community Development Finance Authority awarded $5.54M in tax credits to 22 nonprofits, including Lakes Region projects aimed at child care, food security, housing, downtown revitalization, and nonprofit capacity. Cybersecurity & Travel: Microsoft warned travelers about hospitality Wi-Fi hacks using fake Microsoft 365 login pages, urging guests to verify they’re on legitimate hotel networks. State Budget Impacts: A new NH Fiscal Policy Institute analysis says “back-of-budget” cuts are hitting mental health, public health, and food assistance through the Department of Health and Human Services. Business & Manufacturing: Pitco scrapped a planned Concord factory, choosing instead to focus on existing sites and putting the land up for sale. Corporate Expansion: GKN Aerospace is expanding its North Charlestown facility, adding 57,000 square feet to boost production of aero-engine components. Sports Business: The Toronto Blue Jays made a trade-deadline selloff, moving Daulton Varsho and Jeff Hoffman while acquiring Jose Soriano.

Critical Minerals & Defense Supply Chain: Phoenix Tailings’ Exeter, N.H. refinery is getting a Pentagon-backed $500 million expansion plan aimed at boosting domestic processing of minerals used in weapons and high-tech—an effort to loosen China’s grip on the “mines-to-magnets” pipeline. Election Tech & Deepfakes: A Massachusetts push to curb election-related “materially deceptive” synthetic media stalled in the Senate, leaving New Hampshire’s recent experience with a deepfake robocall as a reminder that state rules are still uneven. Energy Costs & Campaign Contrast: Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s landfill-siting committee deal and Cinde Warmington’s “stop the addiction to fossil fuel” stance set up a sharp affordability-and-energy debate heading into New Hampshire politics. Education & Workforce: A national survey finds 75% of educators expect student behavior to be a major challenge, while colleges are expanding AI literacy beyond computer science as employers ask for AI skills. Local Business & Consumer Watch: A Planet Fitness securities-fraud class action was filed in federal court in New Hampshire, targeting claims tied to a marketing campaign and membership growth.

Local Economy & Consumer Demand: New Hampshire-area movie theaters are riding a blockbuster summer rebound, with record-breaking North American ticket sales driven by major releases like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey.” Public Safety & Airport Operations: TSA is expanding its Gold+ program that hands screening checkpoints to private contractors at select airports, raising questions about passenger flow and worker impacts. Housing & Taxes: New Concord home assessments are sparking sticker shock as values jump sharply, with residents asking what it means for upcoming property tax bills. Healthcare & Workforce: A UNH/USNH governance story highlights ongoing pressure points in higher-ed leadership and faculty contract talks, with potential ripple effects for students and the local economy. Business & Growth: A New Hampshire business spotlight looks at how local companies are using AI, from operations to customer service. State Policy & Cost of Living: Rising gas and everyday costs are fueling New Hampshire political messaging, with candidates tying affordability to healthcare and broader economic pressures.

Housing & Zoning: Massachusetts lawmakers advanced a plan that would effectively end single-family-only zoning by allowing duplexes statewide, a move housing advocates say could unlock “thousands of new homes” and ease pressure felt on Cape Cod. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: Rhode Island is installing 39 automatic license plate readers under a federal grant, adding to a dense camera network while critics point to a lack of state rules on data retention and access. NH Business Climate Watch: A new U.S. News & World Report “Best States” ranking puts New Hampshire at No. 6 overall, while highlighting it as No. 1 for safest conditions and strong economic opportunity. Local Economy & Workforce: New Hampshire conservation districts announced $396,773 in 2026 Climate Resilience Grant awards to 49 farms, targeting drought-proofing, irrigation upgrades, and energy improvements. Consumer & Fraud: Concord police detailed a debit-card skimming case tied to cloned cards and small purchases, underscoring rising scam activity and the need for vigilance.

Mental Health & Economy: A new national snapshot shows depression symptoms have surged since the pandemic, with economic instability flagged as a key driver and fewer than 40% of sufferers seeking treatment. Business Climate: A new U.S. News state ranking puts New Hampshire No. 6 overall, while also highlighting it as No. 1 for crime and corrections and No. 3 for natural environment—plus weaker spots in economic growth and long-term fiscal stability. Workforce & Child Care: A Lebanon-area business model shows how employers are leaning into child care: River Valley Club’s owner expanded from babysitting to FitKids ChildCare, aiming to keep working parents in the workforce. Agriculture Resilience: Walpole-based conservation districts announced $396,773 in 2026 Climate Resilience Grant awards to 49 farms statewide, targeting drought-proof irrigation, soil health, and energy upgrades. Public Safety & Fraud: Concord police described a skimming operation tied to cloned debit cards and cash-withdrawal tactics, warning that scams are rising even if skimmer fraud remains relatively uncommon in New Hampshire. Civic/Community Funding: Volunteer New Hampshire received $3.2 million in AmeriCorps grants after last year’s funding was cut, supporting more than 120 members statewide, including conservation work in the Lakes Region. Local Business & Real Estate: A Lakes Region real estate retrospective highlights how far the industry has shifted in 50 years—from paper MLS packets to today’s digital workflows. Sports Business: NASCAR’s Cup Series is on summer break after Indy, with teams already setting up for the playoff push.

Best-States Watch: U.S. News ranked New Hampshire No. 6 overall in its 2026 “Best States” index, with top marks for crime and corrections (No. 1) and strong natural environment (No. 3), but weaker spots in economy (No. 32) and fiscal stability (No. 36). Fraud Alert: Concord police say debit-card skimming and cloned-card schemes are rising statewide, offering practical tips for Granite Staters as scammers evolve. Local Government & Taxes: Belmont’s selectboard meeting will tackle the new school tax cap under House Bill 1300, plus water/sewer updates and public works spending. Workforce & Benefits: A new report highlights employers in New Hampshire leaning into child care benefits to keep workers and reduce turnover. Community & Service: Volunteer New Hampshire received $3.2 million in AmeriCorps grants after funding was cut, supporting 120+ members statewide, including conservation work in the Lakes Region. Energy Costs: Eversource took another $164 million hit tied to offshore wind delays and Trump-era stop-work orders affecting the Revolution Wind project. Business Growth: Mathnasium says it signed 60 franchise agreements and opened 40 centers in the first half of 2026, betting on continued demand for supplemental math tutoring.

Defense & Manufacturing: A Manchester aerospace supplier, Vibrac Precision Test Systems, says demand for Patriot missile calibration is set to surge as the U.S. and Europe expand stockpiles, with potential orders “north of $100 million” over four years. Energy Costs: Eversource took another $164 million hit tied to Trump-era stop-work orders affecting its offshore wind project, underscoring how federal policy can quickly flow into utility earnings. Education & Growth: Mathnasium reported 60+ new franchise agreements and 40 center openings in the first half of 2026, betting that families will keep paying for supplemental math help. Work & Talent: A new report finds New Hampshire ranks among the top states for hybrid job postings, with remote work still holding steady since the pandemic. Public Policy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a landfill-siting overhaul (HB 707) that expands existing landfills and creates a siting committee, while critics warn it may not be the end of local fights. Healthcare Business: Local Infusion opened a new Rochester clinic with six private infusion suites, aiming for faster scheduling and 30%-50% lower costs. Local Economy: Horvath & Tremblay completed the sale of Franklin Shopping Center for $6.285 million, highlighting continued interest in occupied retail corridors.

Industrial Growth: Hitchiner Manufacturing and PROCON completed a 57,000-square-foot Shared Services Operations Facility at the Elm Street campus, consolidating value-added services to boost workflow, quality control, and capacity for aerospace, defense, automotive and commercial work. Construction & Real Estate: Rochester’s new 7th Circuit courthouse is nearing completion, with projected fall 2026 operations and upgraded security, courtrooms, and public service space. Seacoast Dining: The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opened its third New Hampshire location in Epping, adding catering and a menu built around Mediterranean staples. Local Governance: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a landfill siting bill creating a Solid Waste Site Evaluation Committee and expanding factors like truck traffic and business impacts, after years of debate tied to Forest Lake State Park in Dalton. Civil Rights Enforcement: New Hampshire AG John Formella announced a settlement with neo-Nazi NSC-131 leader Christopher Hood over intimidation at a Concord drag story hour, including a $10,000 fine with $7,500 suspended and community service. Housing Market Watch: LendingTree analysis says New Hampshire’s home vacancy rate is 14.3%, driven largely by seasonal properties—yet that doesn’t translate into more year-round inventory for residents. Energy & Cost Signals: Gas prices held near $4.09 nationally, with crude oil still elevated, while EV charging averaged 42 cents per kilowatt-hour. Business & Finance: Planet Fitness faces a securities fraud class action filed in the District of New Hampshire tied to a membership growth marketing campaign.

Landfill siting overhaul: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a new law creating a Solid Waste Site Evaluation Committee, aiming to give local communities more say and broaden what the state weighs for major landfill permits—after years of controversy tied to Forest Lake State Park in Dalton. Civil rights enforcement: New Hampshire AG John Formella announced a final decree against neo-Nazi leader Christopher Hood and Nationalist Social Club-131 for intimidating patrons at a Concord drag story hour, with a $10,000 fine (part suspended) and 250 hours of community service. Healthcare affordability: NH again topped WalletHub’s “Best & Worst States for Healthcare,” citing low premiums and strong access/outcomes. State policy pressure: Medicaid Managed Care Organizations backed away from cuts to home nursing hours for medically complex children after parent advocacy and DHHS review. Consumer shift in liquor sales: NH Liquor & Wine outlets expanded zero-proof options, with non-alcoholic beverage sales jumping sharply. Education cost-saver: UNH launched cheaper, faster three-year online bachelor paths in management and computer information technology, cutting tuition by about $10,350. Business & jobs: UNH named Ryan Colton its next athletics director; Standex reported fiscal Q4 results that beat expectations.

NH Politics & Elections: A key question in New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race is whether voters will focus on former Sen. John E. Sununu’s ties to Anglo Asian Mining, which operates in areas tied to the 2023 displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh. Education Finance: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a bill that would have limited school districts’ ability to carry over unspent funds, letting districts keep reserves for next year. Local Development: Chester’s planning board will hold a public site walk for a proposed 34-unit Buxton Farm development, with the Aug. 5 hearing continuing after residents pressed for a closer look at abutter impacts. Business & Banking: NHTrust hired Christina Bradbury as senior vice president and senior wealth advisor in Concord. Health Policy: New Hampshire’s Medicare/Medicaid coverage spotlighted on the 61st anniversary of the programs’ creation, with attention on what recent policy shifts could mean for Granite Staters. Federal/Global Markets: The Bank of England is expected to hold rates steady, while BAE Systems reported strong half-year results and upgraded full-year guidance amid defense demand. Public Safety & Consumer Protection: Attorneys general urged the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. National Health Coverage: Medicaid work requirements are creating confusion and coverage risk for chronically ill people under new “medically frail” exemptions.