Councilors Wheeler, Kenney, and I joined Governor Ayotte’s call for answers regarding the Nongfu Spring purchase in Nashua New Hampshire this week, asking the Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell a series of questions to help get to the bottom of the purchase and who orchestrated the sale.
We share the concern of our constituents that the Chinese Communist Party is purchasing land in close proximity to key installations in the Granite State and want to ensure our state’s security is being protected from any foreign threat.
NHJournal reported on this developing story on Friday, writing in part:
Ayotte’s decision to bring in the AG echoes her previous statements calling for heightened scrutiny. “We’re always concerned when the Communist Party, the Chinese Communist Party, or anyone associated with that party buys land in New Hampshire,” she said, questioning the inflated purchase price and demanding transparency on the company’s intentions.
NHJournal: Ayotte Orders AG to Review Controversial Nashua Water Deal, August 15, 2025.
Ayotte is not alone. Three Republican Executive Councilors — Joe Kenney, John Stephen and Dave Wheeler — have written BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell asking for information about the role his agency played in promoting the purchase.
“Our constituents have expressed concerns about the transparency and oversight of the Nongfu Spring purchase in Nashua, particularly regarding who was informed, when, and the extent of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ (BEA) involvement,” they wrote.
Among their questions:
Did the BEA actively recruit this company to relocate or establish operations in New Hampshire? If so, when did these efforts begin, and who initiated contact?
What commitments, if any, has the company made regarding job retention or creation in Nashua, and when were these commitments communicated to the BEA?
Governor Ayotte has instructed the Attorney General to look into this matter and AG Formella has signified he is doing so.
