Bad news for NH women in business?

According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the growth of women-owned businesses in New Hampshire is slower than the national average.

American Express OPEN analyzed Census data from 1997, 2002, and 2007, and projected data for 2015.

From 1997 to present, the number of women-owned business increased 74% nationally, but just 49% in New Hampshire.  New Hampshire ranked 33rd among 50 states in terms of the growth of women-owned businesses.

However, a 2014 report from American Express OPEN found that women-owned businesses in New Hampshire are relatively successful compared to the rest of the U.S.  From 1997 to 2014, sales by women-owned businesses increased 140% in New Hampshire, compared to 71% nationally.  (2015 data on sales from New Hampshire women-owned businesses are not yet available.)