All over the United States, there are a plethora of issues new Americans face while trying to settle here. The same issues apply to new Americans in Keene, NH, and there are significantly less resources to support them. Research findings indicate a significant disconnect between businesses in Keene, NH and support organizations that help new Americans find employment. This disconnect leads to an increase of labor shortage and unemployed new Americans who struggle with settling. The purpose of this study is to explore the causes of this misalignment through both secondary and primary research. Primary research involved interviewing spokespeople from businesses and new American support organizations both local to Cheshire County, NH. The data collected from these interviews suggest a lack of urgency resulting from unfamiliarity, implicit biases, lack of funding, and language barriers. Research findings reveal potential solutions to enable both workforce development and community connections.
