Category

Strengths (S)

Weaknesses (W)

Opportunities (O)

Threats (T)

Ease of Doing Business

Top-Tier Economic Opportunity: Ranked #1 in the U.S. for Economic Opportunity and consistently rated as one of the best states overall (e.g., #2 in U.S. News 2025). Safety and Stability: Ranked #1 for Public Safety, creating an attractive environment for talent and investment.

Cost of Living/Affordability: High housing costs and a general affordability crisis strain the labor force, as evidenced by a dedicated Housing & Economy Conference. Fiscal Constraints: Ranked lower in Fiscal Stability (e.g., #37), which may limit government support for business incentives.

Leverage Brand Identity: Market the state's top rankings in safety, natural environment, and economic opportunity to attract high-value companies and remote workers.

Workplace Safety: A notably lower ranking in workplace safety (e.g., #43) compared to other categories poses a risk for manufacturers and could lead to stricter regulatory oversight.

Domestic Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing Specialization: High concentration and strong growth in Advanced Manufacturing, specializing in Aerospace & Defense, Computer/Electronics, and Machinery. Export-Driven: The manufacturing cluster is highly export-intensive, driving significant economic impact.

Workforce Shortage: The availability of the workforce, particularly entry- to mid-level technicians, is the most significant constraint on manufacturing growth. Declining Employment: Manufacturing employment has declined in the past year, in contrast to projected long-term growth.

Federal Policy Alignment: Leverage federal industrial policies (e.g., CHIPS, defense outlays) to boost domestic production in core specializations like semiconductors and aerospace.

Labor Force Stagnation: Slowing labor force growth, coupled with population aging, limits the potential for manufacturing to scale, despite strong demand and high-wage jobs.

Sustainability Initiatives

Community-Driven Clean Energy: Active local-level programs, such as the launch of Concord Community Power and initiatives focused on building energy efficiency and solar. Land Conservation Focus: Strong state commitment to land conservation and resource protection through programs like the NH Land Conservation Investment Program.

Affordability Conflict: Sustainability upgrades (e.g., energy efficiency) and housing efforts are often intertwined with an ongoing affordability crisis, creating friction in development.

Infrastructure Investment: Opportunities to integrate renewable energy into infrastructure (e.g., new solar arrays) and develop sustainable, disaster-resilient building practices.

Regional Economic Slowdown: Broader economic cooling in the New England region, combined with trade uncertainty and reduced tourism, may temper the pace and funding of sustainability-related economic development projects.

Balance of Trade

High-Value Exports: Exports are concentrated in high-value, advanced products: Aircraft parts (largest), Vaccines, Computers, and Machinery. Global Market Diversification: Exports are substantial to both traditional (Canada, Mexico) and non-traditional (Germany - largest market) partners.

Trade Deficit: New Hampshire runs a structural trade deficit (imports significantly exceed exports). Small Exporter Base: The state ranks lower in total export volume compared to many others (e.g., #37 in goods exports).

Services Export Growth: Opportunities to capitalize on the growth of services exports, which saw significant recent growth (14% growth 2022-2023).

Global Trade Uncertainty: The small, trade-reliant economy is highly sensitive to changes in international trade policies and trade wars, which can disproportionately affect its specialized manufacturing base.