Greater Nashua
BEA under fire for lack of transparency in Nongfu Spring deal
NASHUA - The state Department of Business and Economic Affairs is accused of being “asleep at the switch” regarding the purchase of 80 Northwest Blvd. by Chinese beverage giant Nongfu Spring. The purpose of the BEA is to provide “facilitation services to enterprises seeking to invest in or relocate to New Hampshire.” Under the direction of Gov. Kelly Ayotte, the state Department of Justice investigated the contentious $67 million transaction and released an 11-page report on Oct. 3. “The department prepared this report to provide an independent review and assessment of the facts and circumstances related to the purchase of Nashua property by Nongfu Spring,” said Attorney General John Formella. “Our goal in releasing the report is to ensure transparency and provide the public with factual information about state and local involvement in this transaction.” The ...