Northwood Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 5, 2009
7:00 p.m.
 
I. Attendance

Present: Kristen Kiernan, Babette Morrill, David Tousignant, Pete Jones
Absent: Hal Kreider, Ken Rick (excused)
Staff: David Stack, Town Administrator
Guests: Selectman Robert Holden, Kevin Ash, Judy Burke
  
II. Introductions

Each member and guest introduced himself/herself and stated why they were interested in the Committee and in working on economic development in Northwood. 

III. New Business

1. Committee Objectives and Purposes

Town Administrator David Stack stated that when he was hired one of the topics of discussion was the need to form an economic development committee. The general purpose of the Northwood Economic Development Committee centers on the creation and retention of jobs in the Town of Northwood to preserve economic opportunity for households in the town and region and the expansion of the non-residential taxable property valuation of the Town of Northwood such that the town can sustain quality municipal and educational services at a reasonable tax rate. The Committee can also pull together ands support the businesses that are in the town. Dave Tousignant stated that he felt that the Committee should take a look at the Town’s Master Plan and see how economic development effort fit into the Plan.  The Committee agreed to read the Plan and discuss at the next meeting. Judy Burke stated that she was involved in the Northwood Chamber of Commerce before it went out of existence. A general discussion of the status of business and development in town followed. Kristen Kiernan stated that there is a lot of information available to help the Committee with its work on the State’s website.

2. Election of Committee Chair and Vice-chair

David Stack asked if there were volunteers willing to serve as Chair and Vice-chair of the Committee. Kristen Kiernan agreed to serve as Chair and David Tousignant agreed to serve as Vice-chair.

3. Committee meeting schedule

The Committee discussed potential regular meeting times and agreed to meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

4. Future meeting with Rockingham Economic Development Corporation

David Stack reported that he had met with Laurel Bistany, the Executive Director of the Rockingham Economic Development Corporation (REDC) and she is willing to meet with the Committee to discuss the resources that are available to the Committee. The Committee agreed and Mr. Stack will contact Ms. Bistany to see if she is available to meet with the Committee at its next meeting on 9/2.

5. Possible Committee goals and projects

The Committee brainstormed and developed a list of possible projects and activities:
• Look at Town Master Plan and discuss 
• Meet with REDC
• Collect a list of media outlets for new businesses coming into town.
• Compile and publish a business directory with a target publication date of Town Meeting
• Develop a survey for economic development. What do Town residents want?
• Develop and publish a brochure 
• Add an economic development section to the Town website
• Develop a sheet detailing why a business should locate in Northwood; what are the advantages?

6. Potential Committee members

David Stack stated that there were still two openings on the Committee. Kevin Ash and Judy Burke both stated that they were interested in serving. Mr. Stack will present their names to the Board of Selectmen for consideration at the next Board meeting.

IV. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.