State Senator Tara Reardon has worked with Taylor Caswell in and around Concord for more than a decade.
Speaking of her time in the nonprofit sector, as a county commissioner and now on the state’s Senate Commerce Committee, Reardon had nothing but a glowing review for Caswell, who heads up the state Department of Business and Economic Affairs.
When Caswell’s reconfirmation as commissioner came into question on Wednesday, Reardon was floored.
“He’s creative, he’s innovative, and he has really done great things for the state of New Hampshire,” Reardon said. “I am amazed that they are questioning his ability to do this job at all.”
Gov. Kelly Ayotte withdrew her nomination for Caswell to continue leading the BEA after members of the state’s Executive Council threatened to torpedo it. Most of the state’s top officials nominated by the governor are subject to approval from the Executive Council and require support from three of its five members.
Joseph Kenney, the councilor who represents the North Country, said in a statement Thursday that the BEA, under Caswell’s leadership, has not paid enough attention to his area.
For example, Kenney said, New Hampshire’s $1.4 billion forestry industry is “critical” in his district and is falling behind Maine’s. He said the BEA hasn’t “taken a lead,” and he wants to see different leadership on key issues in his district.
“I voted for Commissioner Caswell twice in the past, but I believe we need new leadership in the BEA department and a focus on business development, manufacturing and economic development in the North Country,” Kenney said.
Karen Liot Hill, on the other hand, whose district also includes part of the North Country, said she was prepared to vote for Caswell’s appointment on Wednesday until it was removed from the docket the night before. She said he’s received “universally positive support” from businesses, economic development leaders and state legislators in her district.
As Ayotte and executive councilors figure out a path forward, Caswell will continue in his position temporarily. Ayotte has expressed confidence in Caswell.
“I deeply appreciate Commissioner Caswell’s terrific work, and we can assess it further,” she said at Wednesday’s Council meeting held in Pittsburg.
Caswell has served in the role since 2017, when former governor Chris Sununu transformed the Department of Resources and Economic Development. The new BEA became responsible for a wide swath of the state’s economy, including workforce development, international relations and trade, marketing, recreation, tourism and support for businesses.
The other three executive councilors weren’t available for an interview prior to deadline, and a spokesperson for the BEA declined to comment for this story.
Reardon credited Caswell with attracting businesses big and small to New Hampshire and for taking on extra projects, like serving on the state’s Council on Housing Stability.
Reardon wasn’t alone. Legislators and business leaders across New Hampshire spoke highly of Caswell’s leadership and the BEA’s performance under his watch. Many said they were surprised to learn that he wasn’t a shoe-in for the job.
“I think he really understands our business climate, our companies, and works with the resources that he has pretty effectively,” said Republican Sen. Daniel Innis of Bradford, who said he has no concerns about Caswell and thinks he’s done a great job with tourism and small business.
Tim Sink, outgoing president of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, experienced that firsthand. During the pandemic, Sink said, Caswell held weekly meetings to keep the business community informed. He also effectively managed the abundance of federal funds flowing to the state during that time.
Sink said he’d like to see Caswell reappointed.
“We got through COVID, and we got a lot of good things done during that time, but that relationship has been maintained post-COVID and all the chambers still work very closely with Taylor,” Sink said. “That announcement yesterday was a bit of a surprise and a disappointment.”
As declining Canadian tourism looms over New Hampshire’s economy — numbers are down 30% from last year, Caswell reported to the Executive Council on Wednesday — Ayotte and other lawmakers said he’s handled it in stride.
“Certainly, the commissioner doesn’t control Canadian vacation plans. None of us do,” said Sen. Tim McGough, a Republican from Merrimack. “But what we can say is that he does an incredible job making New Hampshire look like a very, very appealing place to vacation.”
Ayotte is set to join Caswell on a trade mission to Canada in September, where they’ll visit leaders in Québec and Nova Scotia.
“We certainly welcome the relationship between New Hampshire and Canada. And we have a special relationship,” Ayotte said at the meeting. “We share a lot of security work together, we serve a lot of economic development together, tourism, and I want to thank you very much, Commissioner, for your work on the delegation.”
If Caswell doesn’t make it through the confirmation process, he will be the latest of several top state officials to depart the administration since Ayotte took office in January. Commissioners like Frank Edelblut of the Department of Education and Helen Hanks of the Department of Corrections both no longer serve in their roles, and John Formella’s future as attorney general is under review by Ayotte.
