Though economists are predicting a bleak year for New Hampshire, they also point out that the state has fared much better than many others.
Jim Chappelow is an economist at the Institute for Trend Research in Concord. He says New Hampshire hasn’t had it as bad as other parts of the country, so when the bottom does come, it won’t be as far down.
Anne Nielsen of the Department of Employment Security wouldn’t rule out that possibility that the state will climb out of recession this year. She said she’s keeping a close watch on the retail sector to see how it weathers the next few months. And Neilsen notes that New Hampshire is only beginning to experience the decline that has happened nationwide.