Federal Reserve Bank of Boston president says she's encouraged by New Hampshire's economy

In a visit to New Hampshire on Tuesday, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said she’s optimistic about the state’s economy.Boston Federal Reserve Bank President Susan Collins spoke with New Hampshire business owners and said she was encouraged by the low unemployment rate and tech development in Manchester.But she said business owners are facing a labor shortage. Attracting workers requires housing, which is a top concern for businesses and residents. Collins said there have been some positive signs, referencing recent Federal Reserve cuts that led to a decrease in mortgage rates. She said there has been a recent uptick in people applying and getting pre-approved for loans. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<The problem is cost and the low supply of housing in the Granite State, she said. Collins said she’s also hearing general concerns about tariffs and a potential trade war.”We do think about the inflation impact, which could be relatively short-lived if the tariffs are kind of one round without being so broadly based and with additional rounds in retaliation, but it could be more significant than that,” she said.Collins said the uncertainty surrounding tariff policies makes it hard to predict the actual impact on interest rates.