New Hampshire does fairly well in evaluation of manufacturing sector

By Colin Froment | The Center Square

New Hampshire kept its B+ grade in manufacturing sector health during a Center for Business and Economic Research annual nationwide comparison study.

The state earned improved marks in other areas, as well. New Hampshire went from a D+ to a C- in worker benefit costs due to healthcare costs and worker’s comp insurance considered a success compared to other states. The state also went from a D+ to a C- in sector diversification and B to B+ in productivity and innovation.

Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research Michael Hicks told the New Hampshire Business Review that New Hampshire’s environment allows the state to benefit from manufacturing in ways that other states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut.

“In Massachusetts, manufacturing is going to move away from the coasts, where it’s been for a long time, and that means New Hampshire will do better in terms of production,” Hicks told the publication.

New Hampshire fell in tax climate, however, dropping from a C to a C- in the category. This is in part due to an ongoing dispute between the Democrat-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Chris Sununu on whether previously passed tax cuts should continue should be repealed.

The state still receives failing grades in logistics since they rely on seaport for transporting goods and have yet to fully transition into digitalization for manufacturing.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons