Optimism on the Rise in New Hampshire (Hiring too??)

Don't look now but there appears to be growing optimism on the streets of the Granite State. The dust continues to settle from 2009 and businesses are beginning to talk less about survival and more about innovation, expansion, and growth. On a nationwide level, approximately 300,000 jobs will be added in the month of March (1/3 of them contract or temporary jobs) with that pace expected to sustain or grow in the months to come. On a local level, trends and opinions appear to be pointing to more prosperous times ahead.

In a recent poll, conducted by the New Hampshire High Technology Council, 62% of local companies expect 2010 revenues to grow over 2009. 55% expect to see their staff grow in 2010 and 45-50% expect to add sales or engineering staff this year. The addition of these competencies tells us that businesses are looking to grow their product offerings while also attacking a larger share of the market. The full survey is available in the NHHTC's February Newsletter - http://www.nhhtc.org/images/NHHTC/pdf/newsletters/2010/JanFeb_News1...

It's too early to tell exactly what level of consistency we can expect regarding growth and innovation but we are seeing local unemployment drop and available talent is becoming more and more difficult to find.

More NH economic and labor market information can be found at: http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/

- JA

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