What do you get when you combine an Eagle Scout's problem solving ethos with a passion for manifesting housing supply, abundance, opportunity, affordability, and a spirit of optimism?In short, you get Mike Skelton, President and CEO of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire.
In this episode, Mike makes a compelling case that solving the state’s housing crisis is the key to unlocking everything else. From workforce growth to long-term prosperity, it all starts with having enough places for people to live. He shares how a broad coalition of unlikely allies is coming together with a shared goal: to make it easier for people to build a life in the Granite State.
For Mike, housing is not just a policy issue. It is a reflection of who we are and what kind of future we want to create.
Also in this episode: what scouting taught Mike about leadership, how collaboration creates progress, and why “build baby build” has become a statewide call to action.
Episode Notes:
Learn more about the BIA at biaofnh.com
This episode was recorded at the BIA offices in Concord, New Hampshire.
Music provided by Sneaky Miles.
This episode is shared in partnership with our friends at NH Rocks!
Episode Summary:
What is the BIA, and what do you do there?I lead the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire. We’re the statewide chamber of commerce, the manufacturing association, and the leading voice for business policy. Our job is to make sure New Hampshire stays competitive, prosperous, and full of opportunity.
How did you end up in this work?I’m a native of Manchester, and I’ve always had a strong connection to this state. My background is in public policy and politics, but what really drew me to chambers of commerce was the idea of servant leadership. I get to work on big-picture challenges that improve life for everyone here.
What makes New Hampshire’s civic and business culture unique?It’s the interconnectedness. People here know each other. You can meet your representatives, collaborate across sectors, and get things done. That closeness creates trust and makes change possible in ways you don’t see in larger states.
Why has housing become such a central issue for the BIA?Housing touches everything. If people can’t afford to live here, businesses can’t grow. Workforce development, childcare, infrastructure — it all depends on people having a place to live. That’s why we launched the New Hampshire Housing Supply Coalition. We want to move the needle on housing, not just this year, but over the long haul.
What is the Housing Supply Coalition doing differently?We brought together over 30 groups — from realtors and home builders to AARP and regional planners — to speak with one voice. We’re not focused on blaming anyone. We’re focused on getting more housing built across the entire spectrum, and creating state policies that support that.
Why now?Because it’s reached a crisis point. We’ve been talking about housing for years, but now it’s the top issue on voters’ minds. We have the data, we have the urgency, and we have bipartisan support. It’s time to act.
What kind of progress are you seeing?I’m optimistic. There are several strong bills moving forward this session, and cities like Manchester, Dover, and Portsmouth are leading the way. But we need suburban and rural towns to join in. If everyone does a little, we can make a big difference.
How does housing tie into broader economic competitiveness?It’s simple. States are either growing or they’re shrinking. And with 27 percent of our workforce over age 55 (the oldest workforce in the country) we need to attract and retain young people. That means housing, education pathways, quality of life, and access to opportunity.
What excites you most about your work right now?The potential. We have incredible businesses, natural assets, and a unique culture of access and collaboration. If we match that with smart policy and a shared vision, we can become a national leader in innovation and livability.
What message do you want people to take away from this conversation?We’re capable of more than we think. New Hampshire doesn’t have to be the best-kept secret. We can build a future where people want to move here, stay here, and thrive here. It’s going to take vision, persistence, and teamwork — but it’s absolutely within reach.
The questions, wording, and written meaning of this summary may contain slight differences to the original conversation. We include these summaries to give subscribers a brief, readable synopsis of the episode. The full episode transcript is available on granitegoodness.com.
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-Andy
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