CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch and state economic development officials today met with Claremont area business and civic leaders to discuss the challenges they face and how the state can continue to work with them to make them more competitive.

The meeting was the first in a series of Jobs Cabinet roundtables to be held across the state over the next few months. Three years ago, Gov. Lynch created a Jobs Cabinet to focus on developing practical solutions to issues that may challenge New Hampshire’s future economic growth.

“These are tough times for some of our families and businesses, but New Hampshire remains positioned better than other states - with the lowest unemployment rate and lowest tax burden in New England,” Gov. Lynch said. “My priorities are helping our businesses grow and become more competitive; helping families struggling in these tough times; and continuing to make government more responsive and efficient.

“These roundtables allow us to here firsthand from businesses on how we can work with them to help them better compete and grow,” Gov. Lynch said.

The previous series of Jobs Cabinet roundtable discussions held in 2006 produced ideas that served as the basis for a number of state initiatives, including the creation of NH HealthFirst, a new more affordable health insurance option for small businesses that launches on Oct. 1; the Green Jobs Initiative, which is aimed at helping businesses and families reduce energy costs and create jobs; the reinstatement of the Job Training Fund, which has partnered with numerous companies to help them train workers; the creation of the Job Match website, which helps link workers and businesses; and the creation of the research-and-development tax credit; which encourages businesses to invest in developing new technologies here in New Hampshire.

“I look forward to another successful series of discussions that will highlight and strengthen the important partnership between the state and the business community,” Gov. Lynch said.

The Jobs Cabinet meeting in Claremont is the first of several regional meetings that will be held across New Hampshire to hear from business leaders.