Gov. Kelly Ayotte delivers her remarks during the June 9 meeting of the Nashua Rotary Club West. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROERSON

NASHUA – During a recent meeting with the Nashua Rotary Club West, Gov. Kelly Ayotte spoke about the achievements of her administration as well as challenges that lie ahead.

To alleviate the ongoing housing crisis, Ayotte said developers only need approval from two state agencies rather than four. She also said the waiting time for approval or denial has been reduced to 60 days.

“We’ve massively improved our turnaround time,” she said during the June 9 meeting. “This past year was the most productive in 20 years.”

Ayotte also said that on July 1, a law will take effect allowing vacant office buildings to be converted into multifamily housing.

In addition, there is now an inventory of all state-owned land and the legislature is allowing that land to be sold or leased for affordable housing.

According to the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, the median cost of a single-family home is $576,000, reflecting an increase of 6.7 percent over last year.

On the subject of childcare, Ayotte called attention to the Child Care Scholarship program, which began on Jan. 1 and is federally funded at $100,000.

“We’re going to continue funding this, people are using it,” she said, adding that her administration is working to expand the program.

Ayotte also said the Child Day Care Creation tax credit was passed in May for businesses that offer childcare for their employees.

Speaking about the workforce, Ayotte said manufacturing company Analogic recently moved its corporate office and 500 jobs from Peabody, Mass. to Salem.

“New Hampshire is actually growing,” she said.

She also said the state’s workforce training programs will continue to expand as well.

“Where we’re trying to expand dramatically is the trades,” said Ayotte. “This is the kind of training that keeps people in New Hampshire.”

On the healthcare front, Ayotte said New Hampshire received more than $204 million from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program — the largest allocation in New England. The purpose of the program is to “expand access to affordable and innovative health care in rural areas.” This will be accomplished through the governor’s GO-NORTH Office, which was established in November 2025 and is led by former Mayor Donnalee Lozeau.

Ayotte said the objective is to use that money for hospitals, telehealth services and workforce development.

“We’re going to do this well,” said Ayotte.

In addition, she is looking to put a ban on the drug kratom. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the kratom plant is found in southeast Asia and has been found to have “psychoactive properties.” It is consumed as a tea, capsule, tonic or pressed tablet.

The drug is currently illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Washington D.C.

The governor is also not giving up on Senate Bill 498, which was rejected by the state House of Representatives in May. The legislation would require insurance companies to cover pediatric mental health care.

“It failed this year, but I’m coming back with it,” she said.

Regarding education, Ayotte said a record $99.8 million was put in the state budget for special education costs. The previous budget funded special education at $77 million.

Although New Hampshire is among the top 10 states in the country for education, Ayotte said math and reading continue to be problem areas.

“We have too many kids who aren’t reading at grade level,” she said.

Having announced her candidacy for a second term, Ayotte will face off against Shaun Fife in the gubernatorial primary election on Sept. 8. The winner will advance to face Democrat Cinde Warmington in the November general election.