By Katharine Q. Seelye (who, btw, is officially an OBITUARY writer)
>New Hampshire, like its neighbors Vermont and Maine, is nearly all white. This has posed an array of problems for new arrivals, who often find themselves isolated and alone, without the comfort and support of a built-in community.
>The issue prompted about 100 business leaders, government officials and members of nonprofit organizations to meet Thursday to search for ways that New Hampshire — which is 94 percent white — might lure other racial and ethnic groups, as well as younger people.
>Will Arvelo, New Hampshire’s director of economic development, said the gathering appeared to be the first broad-based effort in New England, if not the country, to focus on how to diversify an entire state.
>The project grew out of informal talks over the last few years among a racially diverse coalition of people, including Mrs. Celentano, who say they want to change New Hampshire’s demographics.
>“At some point we have to pull the string and say what’s coming out of here,” Mr. Arvelo, the state director of economic development, said.
https://www.nytimes.com/by/katharine-q-seelye
https://archive.is/SD2oZ
>“We truly believe that this effort will be hugely beneficial to our business operations,” said Paula Parnagian, the diversity and inclusion manager for Eversource.
>“It’s not just the social justice groups that are doing this, it’s the businesses,” she said.
