Focus Areas

The New Hampshire administrative rules process is the implementation phase of the legislative process, and is often more complex and tedious than law-making.  The Dupont Group has extensive experience with every step of this process, from stakeholder input to development of rules on the agency level, as well as consideration of a final agency submission to the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR).  We have had much success assisting clients as they participate in and work to affect this complicated and lengthy process.

In today’s economic climate, it doesn’t make sense to go it alone.  The Dupont Group helps firms maneuver through the regulatory and legislative hurdles they face when doing business in New Hampshire.  We have had considerable success assisting companies new to New Hampshire, as well as existing businesses that have used our services to shape their own niche within the state.  We also provide companies considering New Hampshire as a location in which to operate with our experience and insight into the regulatory, economic and political climate, and with guidance on how to modify those dynamics to their advantage.

Our expertise in commercial and financial business regulation extends from legislative policy decisions and rulemaking to departmental enforcement.  The regulatory framework in New Hampshire has most financial-based entities licensed and regulated by the Banking Department, while insurance products are regulated by the Insurance Department.  Each department is run by a single Commissioner with a Deputy Commissioner and division Directors, and the state Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau within the Office of Attorney General comes into play, as well.  The Dupont Group provides the necessary guidance in complex regulatory environs, and we are conversant with insurance products, lending, money transmission and pre-paid value cards.

White Birch Communications Group is a Concord, New Hampshire-based full-service public relations and marketing firm serving the business and non-profit community.  White Birch grew out of the Dupont Group and our clients’ need for specialized public relations services and effective communications with other businesses, consumers and public officials.  By developing and maintaining a strong understanding of our clients’ business activities and market positions, White Birch is able to shape and deliver an effective, cogent message to regional, trade and national news media.

White Birch provides a full range of communications services, including the development and distribution of news releases and news media programs, news media tracking and monitoring, as well as the incorporation of news media programs into marketing and government affairs activities.

While White Birch focuses on providing comprehensive public relations counsel to a limited number of clients primarily, we offer project-oriented services, as well:

• Business Announcements

• Crisis Management

• Event Management

• News Release Programs

• News Media Programs

• Press Conferences

• Op-Eds and Other Opinion Pieces

• News Media Tracking and Monitoring

• Speech Writing

In addition, White Birch develops and implements comprehensive corporate communication projects designed to define and establish products and business services, and operates a New Hampshire-based business speakers’ bureau.

White Birch Communications Group operates as a subsidiary of the Dupont Group.  This strategic alliance facilitates a significant public relations niche and provides White Birch and its clients the strategic ability to effectively integrate news media management with government affairs and State House lobbying.

For more information on public relations and marketing, please visit www.whitebirchcommunications.com

​In addition to the impact of new laws and administrative rules, businesses need to be regularly apprised of available state contracts, requests for proposals (RFPs), bidding schedules and the Governor and Executive Council approval process.  We assist businesses in identifying opportunities and understanding the nuances of selling products and services to state government.  Working through the procurement process, recognizing the needs of the agency issuing an RFP and developing the final proposal for submission are all part of a process we can help manage.

The Dupont Group has represented independent energy producers, consumers and developers in New Hampshire and the region for many years.  We were key players in the development of electric energy deregulation legislation in the mid-90s; have served on the Advisory Board of the Independent Systems Operator (ISO) New England; and are founding members and active participants on the New Hampshire Independent Energy Council.

Annually, we present the New Hampshire Energy Summit which brings together energy industry leaders, trade professionals, consumers and policymakers to explore the emerging issues that drive legislation, regulatory agendas and markets.

Our history with and network of contacts are broad at the Public Utilities Commission, Governor’s Energy Office, Office of Consumer Advocate, and in the energy committees at the State House, as are our relationships with other stakeholders.  We assist both start-ups and established firms to successfully navigate the legislative and regulatory waters in the energy arena.

Our efforts continue in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable power generation.  In the decade to come, as the challenges of energy and the environment intersect, the Dupont Group is well-positioned to assist clients in finding opportunities and managing a changing regulatory structure.

On large and small development projects, ranging from major retail, commercial and industrial developments to smaller projects such as docking structures and boathouses, the Dupont Group team is expert at coordinating and expediting all permitting activities related to project approval.  Because these projects often involve multiple agencies, knowledge of the structure, operations and people at all levels of government is critical to moving through the permitting process in a timely fashion.  In the policy arena, the Dupont Group worked with environmental interests in the development, enactment and implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2008 and 2009.  Passage of this groundbreaking law led to the award of grant money for improvements to a major New Hampshire trade group energy efficiency program, now in its third year of successful operation.

On large and small development projects, ranging from major retail, commercial and industrial developments to smaller projects such as docking structures and boathouses, the Dupont Group team is expert at coordinating and expediting all permitting activities related to project approval.  Because these projects often involve multiple agencies, knowledge of the structure, operations and people at all levels of government is critical to moving through the permitting process in a timely fashion.  In the policy arena, the Dupont Group worked with environmental interests in the development, enactment and implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2008 and 2009.  Passage of this groundbreaking law led to the award of grant money for improvements to a major New Hampshire trade group energy efficiency program, now in its third year of successful operation.

The Dupont Group has a strong presence in the State of New Hampshire’s information technology space, representing a number of New Hampshire, national and international business entities.  This work includes assistance with procurement, managing agency-vendor relations for major data projects, and well as monitoring and advocacy before the legislature.  We are active participants in the development of Medicaid information systems, transportation and financial management systems, as well as state oversight and investment in education technology.

Changes in healthcare, unemployment, family and medical leave, workers compensation and wage payment requirements are frequent in New Hampshire.  On behalf of our clients, the Dupont Group stays on top of the regulatory and policy changes and our people have a broad knowledge base of the various subjects.

Our legislative, regulatory and communications clients have included municipalities, local industrial parks, local transportation providers and the New Hampshire Association of Counties.  In addition, Dupont Group team members have served as local and county elected officials, municipal board members and volunteers within their communities.

Like all other states, New Hampshire regulates a number of professions at various levels; but being the “Live Free or Die” state, New Hampshire puts a unique spin on regulation in some cases.  Dupont Group team members have successfully represented a number of regulated professions in their attempts to change scope of practice, insurance coverage, licensing, oversight and education requirements.

The New Hampshire biennial state operating and capital budget processes take approximately ten months to complete:  from the time state agencies prepare their initial requests to state agency hearings; from presentation of the Governor’s budget plan to legislative hearings; and from conference committee meetings to final enactment.
The Dupont Group has been involved in the development of every operating and capital budget for the past 35 years.  We have an intimate understanding of the processes, substance, players, and larger policy and political contexts.

Taxation is a policy area that makes New Hampshire unique.  Our business tax structure, particularly the Business Enterprise Tax, was created in 1993 specific to New Hampshire’s existing tax structure, and the state famously has no broad-based income or sales tax.  The Dupont Group represented a major manufacturer and employer in the state in making the business tax system fairer through the change in 1993.  We have helped the retail industry in New Hampshire to maintain the importance of New Hampshire’s sales tax-free status through research, writing, opinion leaders and grassroots efforts.   Our work has also included the state’s gas tax, gambling taxes, telecommunications tax, property tax, current use tax, and proposals for an entertainment tax, among others.

The Dupont Group has enjoyed long-term relationships with public and private transportation providers, automobile and equipment manufacturers, and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  Our commitment to these clients requires regular contact through the procurement process with the Governor and Executive Council, New Hampshire Department of Transportation, and other state and local transportation and public works agencies, as well as policy, finance and capital budget committees at the State House.