CONCORD, NH (April 22, 2025) – Today, the Business & Industry Association (BIA) and the New Hampshire College & University Council (NHCUC) convened a coalition of New Hampshire leaders from the business and higher education sectors to strongly oppose proposed budget cuts to higher education included in the New Hampshire House budget.
These deep cuts would go far beyond our USNH campuses, threatening the pipeline of educated workers that fuel New Hampshire’s economy. The partnership between the state, private enterprise, and higher education is critical to the future of our workforce. Undermining that connection will make it harder for employers to hire, grow, and remain in New Hampshire.
Leaders also raised serious concerns about the proposed redirection of $15 million annually from the UNIQUE Scholarship Program to cover operational costs within the University System of New Hampshire (USNH). The UNIQUE program is the only statewide scholarship program dedicated to New Hampshire students, currently supporting over 7,700 recipients.
Restoring this funding is more than a fiscal decision, it’s a commitment to the state’s future and the next generation of Granite Staters who will help shape it. We urge the New Hampshire Senate to reject the House’s proposed cuts and align the budget with Governor Ayotte’s proposal, a plan that protects critical investments in education and keeps New Hampshire’s future competitive, skilled, and strong.
Coalition members:
• Mike Skelton, Business & Industry Association of NH
• Mica Stark, NH College & University Council
• Heather McGrail, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
• Andrea Hechavarria, NH Life Sciences
• Corinne Benfield, Stay, Work, Play NH
• Bill Greiner, NH Business Leader, Investor, Chair of Primary Bank
• Catherine Provencher, University System of NH
• Christiana Thornton, Granite Edvance
• Julie Demers, NH Tech Alliance
• Ben Van Camp, Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth
• Wendy Hunt, Greater Nashua Chamber