In a session when over 1,300 bills were filed in the Legislature, there was bound to be a few targeting food and beverage service, food processors and manufacturing operations.
In keeping with Business NH Magazine’s Food issue, the Business & Industry Association (BIA), the statewide chamber of commerce with more than 400 members, reached out to several of those members and asked if there were bills or existing state policy issues that are problematic for the food industry, particularly manufacturing and distribution operations.
One bill that immediately came up was HB 1636, the latest “bottle bill,” that would create a statewide beverage container redemption program for the collection and recycling of used beverage containers. The bill was opposed by retailers, beer distributors and soft drink companies, the state liquor commission, the state grocers’ organization and the BIA. Top concerns were that it could increase consumer costs, harming the state’s reputation as a lower-price market, and could even decrease recycling. The House voted to refer the bill to interim study, effectively killing it.
Two other bills sought to prohibit the disposal of certain food waste, and to make an appropriation to the solid waste management fund and target food waste reduction and diversion. Both were killed. Another bill sought to restrict the use of single-use disposable plastic foodware accessories. It drew strong opposition and was sent to interim study.
The BIA pressed our members about whether any existing state policies are problematic. Overall, the members we spoke with said NH’s food-related regulations are not what keeps them up at night. It was no surprise what does: Workforce.
Workers entering manufacturing often lack basic skills. Training programs are few and far between and not many trade schools really teach enough of the basic skills. It’s not just that job candidates don’t know how a pump or motor works; it’s that many don’t know basic math or science, and this leaves companies having to teach employees the basics on the job.
“No sales tax, no income tax. That’s fine,” one manufacturing owner told us, “but you have to have competent people and a place to teach them, and New Hampshire really doesn’t have that. Going forward, if the state wants to grow and bring in more business, they need to develop trade schools.”
Manufacturers are turning to new Americans to help fill their labor needs. A manufacturer told us he has one line with five people who speak four different languages. Supervisors rely on a “sort of sign language,” with lots of thumbs up and thumbs down, or they have someone from a different part of the plant who speaks that language translate.
A multinational workforce is a reality, especially in manufacturing. Employers often encourage their best workers to take English classes, but those costs can be prohibitive. Manufacturers say a tax credit supporting the cost of English lessons is one way the state and federal governments could help.
Child care and housing continue to be a problem due to cost and limited availability.
One suggestion on how to tackle the many challenges facing manufacturers is a state manufacturing czar, but there’s a collective call for more collaboration between state agencies and businesses. “There’s too much you should know and not enough of working together to solve problems where both parties are happy,” a manufacturing executive said.
Today’s manufacturers are nimble and innovative and figure out ways to get the job done. They provide well-paying career jobs with opportunity for advancement. It’s a lifeblood of the NH and U.S. economies.
Michael Skelton is president and CEO of the Business & Industry Association. For more information, visit BIAofNH.com.