Long before this country was an independent nation, New Hampshire began emphasizing a conservative strongly self-sufficient approach to government, and life in general. After almost 225 years, it seems only natural that the motto on New Hampshire's license plate is, "Live Free or Die."

With a strong Yankee tradition of hard work and independence, New Hampshire frowns on excessive regulation. Industry in general, and businesses in particular, usually benefits from this traditional atmosphere through state and local policies where large and small businesses may prosper. However, New Hampshire is not foolish enough to allow destruction of its natural resources, therefore one should not get the impression that this area is a place where indiscriminate dumping of suspicious materials and the destruction of natural habitats is condoned. IRENet is not trying to over sell New Hampshire at the risk of destroying it. New Hampshire is a great place for small and large company owners to prosper, knowing that it also is a perfect place to raise and educate our families.

New Hampshire offers many advantages in lifestyle; some are because of its location, such as, four seasons that bring a variety of weather that adds interesting and fun things to do outdoors. Many people find this constant change something they miss; can't live without it. Frankly, it is amazing how many retired folks we meet that thought they were moving to heaven when they moved to Florida, only to find they missed New Hampshire's weather changes so much that they sell the Florida home and return to Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Another advantage is the relative closeness to the medical services and cultural conveniences of Boston and New York -- without having to live there.

There are hard won advantages, too. Although not crime free, New Hampshire is particularly tough on criminals, with some of the stiffest anti-drug penalties in the country. Another hard fought for advantage is something many people throughout the world do not have any control over -- good clean quality drinking water. Most of the people living in small New Hampshire towns rely on wells for drinking water. Many of these wells are supplied by aquifers, which by definition are underground rivers, usually hundreds of feet below the surface. Few things in life can compare to a tall glass of cold tap water that comes directly from an aquifer on a hot summer day.