The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - EDC Meeting Minutes

Ms. Bistany presented an overview of the REDC and the work that the organization does. REDC is a private non-profit regional economic development organization serving Rockingham County and eastern Hillsborough County. They offer financing assistance for businesses including a revolving loan; they work with communities seeking grants and assistance to develop infrastructure for economic development; and they provide economic development outreach, education and assistance to communities in the region. She discussed some of the financial programs available such as the creation of ERZ zones and the availability of research and development tax credits.

Ms. Bistany asked the Committee what its goals are and what does the Committee hope to accomplish. Kristen Kiernan stated that the Committee has begun working on working on some projects that it hopes to accomplish fairly quickly including adding an economic development section to the Town website. The new section would contain a resource directory for businesses and links to information. Ms. Bistany said that REDC has a list of resources that can be added to the site and/or handed out or mailed to businesses. She also agreed to connect the Committee with a person from the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development who can look at the website and make suggestions. Ms. Kiernan also reported that the Committee is working on the creation and publication of a business directory of town businesses. The directory can also contain resources for businesses in town.

The Committee discussed other possible projects and activities, including putting a survey on the Town website asking residents what they would like to see in the area of economic development and what types of businesses would they like to see locate in the community. Ms. Bistany suggested that the Committee may want to conduct a focus group of residents to discuss economic development.

Ms. Bistany agreed to contact the person at DRED about the Town’s website and top provide the resource link template. Chairman Kiernan thanked her for meeting with the Committee.

III. Introduction of new members

Hal Kreider and Ken Rick introduced themselves and stated why they were interested in the Committee and in working on economic development in Northwood.

IV. New Business

1. Acceptance of Minutes - 8/5/09

Dave Tousignant moved to accept the minutes of the 8/5/09 meeting. Babette Morrill seconded. The motion passed.

2. Review/discussion - Northwood Master Plan

The Committee reviewed the Economic Development section of the Northwood Master Plan that was last updated in 2004. A general discussion ensues as to the role that the Committee can take to help shape and develop the economic development section of the Master Plan when the Master Plan is updated the next time. The Committee will ask Pete Jones when the next update will be conducted and what the update process and schedule will be.

3. Timeline(s) for Committee projects

David Stack recommended that the Committee develop a timeline and timetable for what it hopes to accomplish. He suggested that the Committee brainstorm at the next meeting and create a list of tasks/projects and develop short, medium and long term goals. Kristen Kiernan asked the members to list their ideas and bring them with m to the next meeting.

V. Adjournment

Ken Rick moved to adjourn, Hal Kreider seconded. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

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