Q&A with Cynthia Harrington at the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs

Cynthia Harrington, deputy director of economic development at the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs

You were recently promoted to deputy director of the Division of Economic Development at the New Hampshire Department of Business & Economic Affairs. Congratulations! Tell us about the agency and the work that you do.

The work we do at the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) ensures the vitality of the New Hampshire economy across diverse sectors, from travel and tourism development and visitor services to government contracting, international commerce and keeping our workforce strong. As deputy director, I oversee key programs and operations within the Division of Economic Development, which includes the New Hampshire Procurement Technical Assistance Center, the Office of International Commerce, and business recruitment and retention. Blending travel and tourism, talent attraction and business development efforts strengthen a balanced ecosystem leveraging the state’s business climate and natural beauty. We help businesses recruit the talent they need to be competitive in the global marketplace and assist wherever we can to make sure companies succeed, and we’ve had some incredible accomplishments. BEA is very nimble in responding to opportunities and challenges, such as affordable housing, expanding broadband, increasing foreign and direct investments, and business development. 

The revitalization of downtowns such as Laconia, Rochester and Dover enables New Hampshire to attract more businesses, jobs and residents to the region. Programs like InvestNH are expanding workforce housing to accommodate this trend. How does BEA work to address ever-changing economic development trends?

Collaboration is key. For example, last year, BEA established the Collaborative Economic Development Regions (CEDRs), a grant program developed to promote post-pandemic economic expansion. The CEDRs was created as part of our Economic Recovery and Expansion Strategy (ERES) to encourage the collaboration of regional and local economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, non-profit agencies and businesses. Over the past year and a half, we’ve brought local and regional stakeholders together throughout the state to focus on how best to advance their regions for future growth. The CEDRs program illustrates that we are most effective when we work collaboratively.

The city of Manchester was just awarded a $44 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Build Back Better program to support its biofabrication cluster. Can you talk more about the life science sector and its growth within the state?

New Hampshire is part of a world-class life sciences ecosystem, which includes companies and institutions providing life-changing and life-saving services, treatments, drugs, medical devices, research, innovation and advanced health technologies. The state’s life science and medical device sector includes over 600 companies, employs more than 7,000, contributes about $6 billion to the state’s GDP and is one of the top three leading drivers of economic growth. The funding for the research out of Manchester is exciting because it is innovative, will be life-changing, and solidifies New Hampshire’s position as a life science leader. We are proud of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), City of Manchester and partners and excited for what’s to come.

How does working with Violet PR help highlight the work of the New Hampshire Department of Business & Economic Affairs?

Violet PR is a professional and enthusiastic partner with the BEA. New Hampshire has a great and diverse story, and Violet PR helps amplify the state’s key sectors through media relations and social media efforts. Like the regional collaboration with the CEDRs, we can best tell the state’s story when we work well with our partners. The team at Violet PR is energetic, professional and determined to get positive results. Our relationship with Violet PR helps us promote New Hampshire throughout the U.S.

There is much to do within the state, from the White Mountains to the Lakes Region to the Seacoast. Tell us about your perfect weekend exploring New Hampshire.

What I love most about New Hampshire is the variety of options statewide, from enjoying the arts and culture to outdoor recreation. My favorite weekend activity this season is exploring the many rail trails and bike paths throughout the state. On the same day, I can enjoy a leisure bike ride and then meet friends for dinner, which can be a culinary adventure in itself. You can have a perfect weekend in New Hampshire by enjoying the many unique and diverse recreational activities throughout all four seasons.