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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
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The state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. But first.were going back to school. |
| Intro IT School Return to index of stories... |
Not long ago, being employed in New Hampshire's high technology sector offered certain security and great benefits. If you had the skills, you had a job. That's not necessarily the way things are now. Producer Phil Vaughn visited a classroom in Portsmouth where former information technology employees are preparing to get back into the game. |
| IT School Return to index of stories... |
narr 1 - This was the home of Cabletron, gov Benson's high tech empire. The company is now gone and a school has moved in. And in a room at the end of this hall, a group of high tech professionals are meeting. These people have two things in common, they are all out of work and they are all confident that will chance. Clip Narr 2 - Sarah Bebchick has been a software engineer for more than 20 years. She remmbers a time, not long ago when employees could train on the job. That's changed. Clip Narr 3 - So Sarah, like the others here have come to upgrade their skills. This is the Software Association of NH's IT Schoolhouse. James McKim is the chairman. Clip Narr 4 - With a downturn in the economy, information technology workers have been hit hard in NH. Clip Clip Narr 5 - That's about 2% higher than the unemployment rate in 2000. Clip Narr 6 - Financed by the federal Workforce Investment Act, these classes in Portsmouth and Keene provide students with 16 weeks of intensive training. And during that time they work on a project. In this case, students are designing a website for a non-profit. Clip Narr 7 - Betsy Hanson worked as a software engineer for only a year before she was laid-off. Clip Clip Narr 8 - Besides learning new programs, students are taught new skills. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us now to discuss unemployment and the economic outlook for the granite state, Professor Ross Gittell of the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics. And Russ Thibeault President of Applied Economic Reseach. Thank you both for joining us. |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
how bad is it Ross.,let's talk about the need to retrain folks - what's happened to it and high tech jobs in nh Ross, I know you looked at overall decline of jobs in NH vs. Mass Overall Mass has lost more than NH and it looks like manufacturing has taken the biggest hit There's word that Lonza Biologics located at Pease Tradeport may be laying off 100 people due to loss of a contract - PortsmouthHerald reports 1 employee said they were told termination of about 180 jobs.. We’d go from 600 employees to 420." Union Leader reporting 750 workers at Pease it had hoped to employ once the expansion project completed - now Lonza will stay with a workforce in the 575-person range, its current level. biotech has been touted as the up and coming industry - what's the impact here in nh? Boston Globe says according to latest census 28 thousand more people left Mass than came - due to job losses and high cost of living Is that happening in NH? aren't people spending more time being unemployed? Governor Romney of Mass looking to cut unemployment bebefdits from 30 to 26 weeks how will state deficits hurt economy Some suggest federal aid to states in trouble wpould kick start the economy? NH ranks tenth in chapter 11 bankruptcies Bush tax cuts elimination of dividend tax? How much of econ slowdown is related still to aftermath of 9-11 and War with Iraq.We heard uncertaintly of war was negatively impacting economy now "technically over " what will happen |
| Intro Dairy Return to index of stories... |
Tough times aren't limited to the high tech industry or manufacuring. According to the federal government, milk isn't worth as much as it used to be. And that means New Hampshire's dairy farmers are struggling to survive. Max Pearlstein tells us about a Bill that comes before the State Senate Thursday - that may help farmers by saving consumers from higher prices. |
| Dairy Return to index of stories... |
TRACK 1: Stewart Yeaton's dairy farm is growing. He and his brother Bill recently built a new barn for their 100 cows, and welcomed in a new milking system. But these pictures are deceiving. The more money the brothers put into their farm, the less money they get for their product. Name/Title Stewart Yeaton, Yeaton Dairy Farm 14:11:31 "We try to cut labor, but it's at the point now that we are running out of money and we have to start getting more for our product or we're going to start losing farms." TRACK 2: This isn't just a New Hampshire problem. Agrimark, the New England Dairy Farmers' cooperative, says that milk prices paid to dairy farmers in the region is at a 20-year-low. The crisis stems from the federal government's pricing system. The amount a farmer receives for a gallon of liquid milk is based on national supply; due to an overproduction out West, dairy farms in the Northeast are suffering. Rich Houston is a Hopkington dairy farmer. Name/Title Rich Houston, Hopkington Dairy Farmer 14:30:30 "We need a regional pricing program on milk so that New England's milk prices are based on the cost of production in New England and not an oversupply in California. That's the only real solution and the only way we can survive. Name/Title Max Pearlstein, NH Outlook A national surplus is only part of the problem. By the time milk makes it to your local dairy aisle, its price is significantly higher than the dollar per gallon that's currently paid to farmers. That math doesn't add up: for those who are producing the milk and for those who are drinking it. Houston, 14:25:45 "That's the 144-million dollar question. That's what Dr. Ronald Corteco from the U. of Connecticut estimates the consumers of New England have been overcharged in this last year. And we need our attorney generals to crack open the books of supermarkets and processors and see how much they're paying for milk. TRACK 3: But John Dumais, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Grocer's Association says that even though farmers are receiving a minimal amount for their milk, the price you pay in the store is already as low as it can be. Name/Title: John Dumais/President and CEO, NH Grocers Association 8:00 "The money is going to operating costs. There are two kinds of profit that are made in a grocery store. One is gross profit that is covering operating costs. That is transportation, electricity, health insurance, labor costs, that's all in there. After you've paid for all these expenses, what's left is your net profit. In a grocery store, that's less than 1 percent. Especially when get to a commodity that's as volatile and very price sensitive for the consumer, you have to get as low as you can to encourage more participation in the program." Name/Title: Steve Taylor/Commissioner of Agriculture NAT: 14:15:40 "What we're talking about here, Mr. Chairman, is a huge chasm in the price of milk when it leaves the farm and what the consumers are paying in the market place. Because of, the only word I can put on it, is a crazy system." TRACK 4: New Hampshire legislators have recently taken notice of the milk pricing issue. House Bill 481 will authorize the Commissioner of Agriculture, Markets and Food to prohibit unfair trade practices in the sale of dairy products. According to the bill, a retail price for milk that is 150% higher than the price paid to diary farmers is an unfair trade practice. Jamie Robertson is one of the New Hampshire farmers who lobbied on the bill's behalf. Name/Loc Jamie Robertson, Bohanan Farm 14:44:52 "Where we feel we have a problem at the moment is that we've lost about 38 percent of our price that the dairy pays us for our wholesale product, and we haven't seen that 38 percent go down to the consumer. So House Bill 481 is really more of a consumer bill than a dairy farmer bill and how it helps dairy farms is that when the price goes down, hopefully it will spike consumption because dairy products are a better bargain. TRACK 5 But John Dumais argues that lower prices on dairy products don't necessarily translate into higher sales. 3:27 "By limiting what the consumer pays is not going to get them to purchase more of the product. Lifestyles have changed. People are more conscious of the fat content of dairy products and cholesterol and other things involved…history has shown the over the last few years, consumption of fluid milk has dropped." TRACK 6: The numbers of fluid milk processors has dropped as well. Crowley Foods, LLC, for example, was purchased by a larger processor in 2001. Loc: Concord Crowley Foods' parent company, National Dairy Holdings, proposed a merger in November of 2002 with another local processor, HP Hood Inc. The combined entity will control 90% of fluid milk processing in New England. TRACK US Representative Charles Bass has called for an investigation by the federal Attorney General's office into the proposed merger. The case is currently under review. Both HP Hood and National Dairy declined our requests for an on-camera interview, but Steve Kaneb, whose family owns Hood, said the union will only help consumers. Dean Foods, the nation's largest dairy processor, "would still have almost three times the capacity of Hood and National Dairy combined. We believe that competition and fair pricing will be enhanced by the merger." NAT T2: 14:29:25 Stewart feeding cows, mooing "This is what they eat. But once you give a little extra for a couple of them, you have to give more to all of them." TRACK 7: If dairy farms like Stewart's go out of business, New Hampshire milk cases won't go dry, but the cost to have dairy products transported from other parts of the country will be reflected in the price you pay at the store. But New Hampshire residents will be losing a lot more than a few pennies if the state's dairy farms don't make it through the current crisis. Stewart, 14:14:48…14:18:25 "Here's the state worrying about urban sprawl and growth and this guy's all worried and in order to make end's meet, he's going to have to sell off his property. We can't afford to keep our space open unless we get a fair price, so we have to go the developer…We have 285 acres of land sitting here. But once those assets are gone, you don't see a parking lot put back into a cornfield. Once they're turned over, you don't see a building turned into agriculture. Once they're done, they're done forever." Robertson "What does New Hampshire lose if it loses its dairy farms? It loses a connection to its heritage. It loses high quality food that's being produced in and about your homes. It loses all that open space. It loses a place to take your kids to show them where there food comes from, the circle of how things work. It loses a spring smell. New Hampshire loses a lot of its character if its dairy farms disappear. TRACK 8: In Epsom, I'm Max Pearlstein for New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Intro Berlin Mill Re-Opens Return to index of stories... |
And finally, some good news from the North Country. After being idle for more than 19 months, Fraser Papers restarted the pulp mill in Berlin. The mill complex closed nearly two years ago when American Tissue declared bankruptcy. Leaving 860 employees and many of the mill's wood suppliers out of work. Fraser purchased the complex in June, and re-opened the paper mill. While some doubted that the pulp mill would ever re-open, others worked diligently to make it happen. Theresa Kennett has the story. |
| Berlin Mill Re-Opens Return to index of stories... |
Nats - 51:35 - Giant Valve releasing steam Wagner at 38:01 To be able to look out the window and see signs of life over there is expremely gratifying for me because for almost two years there was no life. Jim Wagner has been working toward the re-opening of the pulp mill since it closed its doors on September 10th, 2001. Jim at 23:39 In our industry, there have been over 100 paper machines in the last several years that have shut down in North America and have not started up again. So we are very fortunate that Fraser, with the help of the state and some other organizations, including PSNH have helped us tremendously to stay alive and to stay warm… Although it didn't purchase the mills until June of 2002, Fraser Papers provided the funding to keep the complex heated and the assets intact as early as January of that year. Greg Cyr at 48:30 The Plan that we got together at the beginning of last year was a good one based on economic an business reasons. Greg Cyr has been with Fraser Papers for 28 years. Greg at 45:39 -:54 When we met the people here. I was very impressed with the approach they brought to the discussions we had. It gave me as well as the others of our team the understanding that we could make a go of it here. Last March, Cyr worked with Ed Deblois and a union negotiating team to develop a six year labor contract. Ed Deblois at 8:32 And we did that in less than probably 12 hours. It was ratified by a large margin of like 530 to like maybe 30 against. The membership was very happy with the agreement and Fraser was also and that was a major piece of the puzzle to go to the court and say we are ready to buy it. We have the money, we have the plans in place, we have the labor agreement with the workers, and that was very critical in who they selected to buy this facility. Fraser purchased the mill complex in June of 2002 and only re-opened the Cascade Paper mill. Greg Cyr at 48:44 There was apprehension about the idea that we didn't start up the pulp mill along with the paper mill. But there were good business reasons why we weren't able to do that. The Pulp market was extremely depressed. Jump cut to 49:04 -:09 The opposite right now is true where prices of pulp have gone up over $100 a ton. The most crucial factor in the decision to re-open the pulp mill, was the approval of a special contract between Public Service of NH and Fraser that provides for lower electric rates through the end of 2003. Wagner at 26:41 A lot o f letters of support enabled the PUC to understand what we needed to have for a special contract to get this place, the pulp mill, up and running. Had we not had that contract we would still be down at this point. In addition to the north country legislative delegation and George Bald the commissioner of DRED, Wagner credits Public Service of NH for its support of the special contract. Wagner at 27:31 -:50 My heart is out them because they have helped us tremendously. And they understand the impact and how they can influence having a hundred plus people come back to work. In the long run we will be putting in a cogeneration project a year from now and even with that in mind, they were still out there to help us. Stand up #2 - 1:14:35 The Cogeneration project will bring the mill complex into compliance with the federal water and air emission regulations known as the cluster rules and it will make the mills energy self sufficient. Nats of them digging foundation of the co-gen project. At 1:17:28 The project is under construction and includes a package boiler and generating turbine at an estimated cost of 31.5 million dollars. Wagner at 30:43 It nails stability and security here in the operation for a long time. Stability is music to Marcel Leveille's ears. Marcel at 1:18:53 - I was out for 20 months, I went on vacation and as I came back the gates were locked, that was it. It was devastating Levielle was without full time work and his family was without health insurance for nearly two years. But that all changed last week when he was called back to his lab technician job at the Pulp mill. Leveille at 1:22:17 Getting my job back was like winning the lottery. Scot Gregory, owner of TeaBirds Restaurant at 1:49 With people back in work, there is more money to spend I the local shops. We've talked to some people who are interested in opening new shops on Main street. So its coming back. Scot Gregory, owner of Tea Birds Restaurant on main street, says its an exciting time for the city of Berlin. Gregory at 00:58 - There is a real positive energy, a lot of families moving in. People have discovered that this is a real nice place to bring up kids. There is a lot to do here if you're in to hunting and fishing. Its beautiful in the area as well as the mills reopening. There is a lot going on. From Berlin, I'm Theresa Kennett for NH Outlook |
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For more information on our program, streaming video, links to our guests and interviews and to tell us what's on your mind in our discussion forum, visit our website at nhptv.org. |
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On the next New Hampshire Outlook - Four-term Senator Judd Gregg joins us for an update on Iraq, the budget, SARS, and more. |
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That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
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Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Four-term Senator Judd Gregg joins us for an update on Iraq, the budget, SARS, and more. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 5:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. But first.were going back to school. Not long ago, being employed in New Hampshire's high technology sector offered certain security and great benefits. If you had the skills, you had a job. That's not necessarily the way things are now. Producer Phil Vaughn visited a classroom in Portsmouth where former information technology employees are preparing to get back into the game. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Sarah Bebchick\Software Engineer, James McKim\Software Association of NH, Betsy Hanson\Software Engineer |
| key: Education Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 5:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. But first.were going back to school. Not long ago, being employed in New Hampshire's high technology sector offered certain security and great benefits. If you had the skills, you had a job. That's not necessarily the way things are now. Producer Phil Vaughn visited a classroom in Portsmouth where former information technology employees are preparing to get back into the game. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Sarah Bebchick\Software Engineer, James McKim\Software Association of NH, Betsy Hanson\Software Engineer |
| key: Techonology Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 5:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. But first.were going back to school. Not long ago, being employed in New Hampshire's high technology sector offered certain security and great benefits. If you had the skills, you had a job. That's not necessarily the way things are now. Producer Phil Vaughn visited a classroom in Portsmouth where former information technology employees are preparing to get back into the game. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Sarah Bebchick\Software Engineer, James McKim\Software Association of NH, Betsy Hanson\Software Engineer |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 8:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. Joining us to discuss unemployment and the economic outlook for the granite state, Professor Ross Gittell of the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics. And Russ Thibeault President of Applied Economic Reseach. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Jennifer Ellis NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Russ Thibeault \Pres, Applied Economic Research, Ross Gittell\UNH Prof of Management |
| key: Techonology Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 8:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. Joining us to discuss unemployment and the economic outlook for the granite state, Professor Ross Gittell of the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics. And Russ Thibeault President of Applied Economic Reseach. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Jennifer Ellis NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Russ Thibeault \Pres, Applied Economic Research, Ross Gittell\UNH Prof of Management |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 7:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. Tough times aren't limited to the high tech industry or manufacuring. According to the federal government, milk isn't worth as much as it used to be. And that means New Hampshire's dairy farmers are struggling to survive. Max Pearlstein tells us about a Bill that comes before the State Senate Thursday - that may help farmers by saving consumers from higher prices. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Max Pearlstein NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Stewart Yeaton\Yeaton Dairy Farm, Rich Houston\Hopkington Dairy Farmer, John Dumais\resident and CEO, NH Grocers Association, Steve Taylor\Commissioner of Agriculture |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 7:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. Tough times aren't limited to the high tech industry or manufacuring. According to the federal government, milk isn't worth as much as it used to be. And that means New Hampshire's dairy farmers are struggling to survive. Max Pearlstein tells us about a Bill that comes before the State Senate Thursday - that may help farmers by saving consumers from higher prices. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Max Pearlstein NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Stewart Yeaton\Yeaton Dairy Farm, Rich Houston\Hopkington Dairy Farmer, John Dumais\resident and CEO, NH Grocers Association, Steve Taylor\Commissioner of Agriculture |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 4/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 6:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, the state of the economy is becoming front page news again. In this program. We'll talk with experts about how New Hampshire's economy is doing. Also, a look at the tough times facing a dwindling dairy industry. And we'll bring you some good economic news from the north country. And finally, some good news from the North Country. After being idle for more than 19 months, Fraser Papers restarted the pulp mill in Berlin. The mill complex closed nearly two years ago when American Tissue declared bankruptcy. Leaving 860 employees and many of the mill's wood suppliers out of work. Fraser purchased the complex in June, and re-opened the paper mill. While some doubted that the pulp mill would ever re-open, others worked diligently to make it happen. Theresa Kennett has the story. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Theresa Kennett NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jim Wagner\Fraser Papers, Greg Cyr\Fraser Papers, Ed Deblois\Local 75, Marcel Levielle\Fraser Papers, Scot Gregory\Tea Bird's Restaurant |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |