By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUNLACONIA — With Columbus Day still a few weeks away, this year's tourist season isn't over yet, but business leaders like what they have seen so far. Statewide tourism numbers have also been trending up, with the Lakes Region contributing greatly, New Hampshire Revenue Commissioner John Beardmore said. In Belknap County, there were 2,454 real estate transactions in the 2017 fiscal year, compared to 1,620 in 2011. “If they don't have money to spend, they also don't go out to eat.”“We have pretty high employment numbers and there's also strong employment in other states. It can also make it hard for some local businesses to find employees, said Karmen Gifford, president of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

Source: Daily Sun September 19, 2017 07:41 UTC