NEWS
May 2020
A free Zoom Forum was held to discuss rebuilding after the economic fallout associated with the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Presenters talked about ways they are thinking outside the box to help struggling small businesses, how they are communicating about relief programs with the public and what sectors of their economies have been hard hit by stay-at-home orders.
Presenters included William Craig, chair of the Manchester Development Corporation; Andrew Dorsett, Littleton’s Town Manager; Riche Colcombe, board member for the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce; Beverly Donovan, economic development director for the town of Derry; Michael Scala, economic development director for the city of Rochester; and Justin Slattery, executive director of Belknap EDC and president of the NH Alliance of Regional Development Corporations.
March 2019
The spring meeting topic was Workforce Development Programs in NH and was held at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia. NH Sector Partnerships Initiative provided an overview as well as updates in the Construction, Health Care, Hospitality, Manufacturing & Technology Sectors. The second session focused on Work-Based Learning Opportunities including NH's Stay Work Play, Apprenticeship NH and those in Belknap County.
A tour of Lakes Region Community College was provided.
Presenter Links:
October 2018
This meeting's theme was Living and Making It in NH. Attendees heard about the latest developments in downtown Nashua and enjoyed a walking tour. The panel discussion topic was Housing for NH Workforce and included individuals from Anagnost Companies, Lakes Region Community Developers, Keller Williams & Manchester Young Professional Network. The second session was about Makerspaces. Presentations included Claremont Makerspace and MakeIt Labs in Nashua. A touch of MakeIt Labs was provided
March 2018
NHEDA's Spring Meeting was held at the Derry Town Council Chambers at the Municipal Center, with the theme, "2018 Legislative Update & NH Economic Development Toolkit. Guest speakers included Michael Bergeron of the NH Department of Business & Economic Affairs, who presented an overview of ED tools for cities and towns. Dave Juvet of the NH Business & Industry Association, and Cordell Johnston, of the NH Municipal Association, presented on summary of legislation impacting economic development in New Hampshire. A panel discussion on the practical applications of NH's ED was led by panelists Terri Pastori, Chair of the Derry Economic Development Committee, Darren Winham, Economic Development Director for the Town of Exeter, George Sioras, Community Development Director for the Town of Derry, and Andrew LaFreniere, Vice Chair of the Claremont Development Authority.
Download a copy of Michael
Bergeron's PowerPoint
presentation here:
"Relationships are primary," says Michael Bergeron of the NH Department of Business & Economic Affairs, during his presentation at the NHEDA Spring Meeting in March.
December 2017
NHEDA's December meeting was focused on Concord's successful Main Street revitalization, including planning, funding sources, partnerships and key aspects of implementation. The City of Concord's Matt Walsh, Director of Redevelopment, Downtown Services and Specials Projects and Suzi Pegg, Economic Director provided the overview. Members discussed the issue of affordable housing at the state & local level with a focus on the Concord area. NH Housing Finance Authority and CATCH Neighborhood Housing presented. After lunch attendees toured downtown Concord.
July 2017
NHEDA's July meeting was held at the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene and focused on "Cultivating Economic Development Leadership." Keynote speaker was Rachel Selsky, Senior Economic Development Specialist with Camoin Associates. A panel discussion on Best Practices in Local Economic Development Leadership followed. We heard from three communities at different stages of economic development and learned how leadership plays a roles in the efforts. Attendees were also provided with tour of the Hannah Grimes Center. Here's the presentation from Camoin Associates about Engaging Young People in Economic Development.
April 2017
April's meeting was at Hypertherm in Lebanon and focused on "Economic Development Tools for Energy Renewables and Efficiency." Presentations included Durham's solar and Claremont's LED upgrade projects. There was a presentation from Resilient Buildings Group as well as one on Liberty Utilities' utility incentives. The Business Panel included Robin Tindall of Hypertherm and Sara Brock, Corporate Energy Group, Vital Communities.
After lunch there was a tour of the Hypertherm facility.
Presentations included the following:
November 2016
NHEDA held its November meeting in Wolfeboro, NH at Abenaki Ski Lodge. An overview of UNH Cooperative Extension Business Retention & Expansion program was given by Andre Garron State Specialist of the UNH Cooperative Extension. Sally Holder of the NH Small Business Development Center reviewed business support services.
After lunch attendees enjoyed a tour on of Wolfeboro on Molly the Trolley.
July 2016
NHEDA held its July meeting at the Littleton Opera House in Littleton, NH. Discussion topic "Creative Ways to fill Cell Phone and High Speed Broadband Gaps in rural, low population areas" given by Mike Scala, Executive Director of Coos Economic Development Corp.
Topic discussion also included Downtown Revitalization by moderator Mollie White, Executive Director of the Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce.
April 2016
NHEDA held its April meeting in Raymond, NH at the Regional Economic Development Center. The meeting focus was: what are we doing in New Hampshire to tackle our myriad of demographic and workforce development challenges? Learn how your community can get involved in efforts to address this critical issue.
Lakes Region Technology Center's Culinary Arts Program at Abenaki Lodge
