PAST ISSUES: December 2006

Editor's Note:  Where's that crystal ball?
Where did it go? The year 2006 is quickly fading and 2007 is fast approaching.
Economically, this year has seen good news and not-so-good news.
On the plus side, many businesses prospered. They saw growth, expansions and good profits. The unemployment rate has remained low. In fact, and unfortunately, finding skilled workers is a problem for companies.

Cover Story:  Advancing a regional economy
The Seacoast of Maine and New Hampshire is one community separated by a common river. With that kissing-cousin logic in mind, business, nonprofit, civic and political leaders from each state are committed in 2007 to building upon the common ground on either side of the Piscataqua.

Cover Story:  Pease looks to continue its upward trend
At Pease International Tradeport, the top measure of success — its chartered main mission, in fact — is the number of jobs created.
In 2006, that measurement was good enough to set a record — an estimated 6,400, which surpassed the old mark of 6,300 set in 2004, said David Mullen, deputy director of the Pease Development Authority.

Entrepreneur Watch:  The World According to Katie
Few would consider the north country city of Berlin a suitable candidate for expansion for a information-based company. Berlin has dealt with one economic shock after another over the past two decades as its paper mill and lumber-based economy have fallen victim to fierce global competition. And it’s remote location hardly seemed like an ideal draw for talented employees.

Featured Article:  Businesses foot school bill
State property taxes aside, businesses are the ones footing the bill when it comes to public education in New Hampshire. And on the eve of another rough-and-tumble legislative year, with politicians scrambling to fix education funding under threat of a court-imposed solution, the biggest revenue sources may be under the most pressure.

Featured Article:  Maine, N.H. face challenges in 2007
The stock market roared and housing costs soared. The tech industry grew and the jobless rate didn’t. As Maine and New Hampshire bid adieu to 2006, both states can take pride in economic indicators better than the New England average.
But the high cost of living and the cost of doing business in the two most Northeastern states are challenges that will carry over into 2007.

Politics:  Lawmakers eye business bills in 2007
The voting machines used in the November elections may still be warm and the start of the 2007 New Hampshire legislative session is still about a month away, but already the Legislative Services Department at the Statehouse has received more than 250 requests from lawmakers to draft bills they would like considered during the upcoming session.

Last Word:  Economic forecasters look to the future
In the information age, there is no shortage of data, detailed reports and forecasts coming from government bodies, think tanks large and small, and private corporations.