2015 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update
For the North Country Council Economic Development District
Produced with funds provided by: United States Department of Commerce— Economic Development Administration (EDA)
December 2015
BACKGROUND
It is now an accepted fact that region-states and not nations are the primary units of economic activity. The health of the North Country economy relies greatly on Early 2000’s employment decline also concentrat- the condition of New Hampshire’s and New England’s ed in establishments with employment of 100-999. economies and these are inextricably linked to the Smaller establishments (less than 100 employees) national and global economies. appeared to be relatively resilient as a group (NEEP). OUR REGIONAL ECONOMY 3. The North Country Economy Grafton County has developed as a service New Hampshire Growth Trends dependent county with a strong emphasis on tech- nology and the health care industry. Anchored by Mid 1970’s through the Mid 1990’s Dartmouth College, the Dartmouth Hitchcock The State of New Hampshire experienced a Medical Center, and the Dartmouth Regional higher level of growth outpacing the rest of New Eng- Technology Center, Grafton County has a large land and much of the rest of the country between 1975 cluster of health related research and service in- and 1995. dustries. Because of its ability to take part in the new economy, Grafton County is the most pros- 2. Late 1990’s and 2000’s perous county in NH’s North Country and one of This strong period of growth lasted until the the most prosperous counties in the -4 state north- late 1990’s when it was brought to an end by the sharp ern forest region. The county’s most challenging market declines in the values of technology companies, issues relate to growth management including or the “tech bubble” collapse as it is often referred to. affordable housing and workforce availability. This recession hit New England harder than the rest of Carroll County is recreation-dependent United States and it took the region longer to recover. and has traditionally depended on tourism. Carroll County most effectively enjoys the image of the 800,000 acre White Mountain National Forest because it has been marketing to the rest of the Northeast its incredible scenic beauty and clean air since the late 1800’s. The county led the State of NH in population growth during the 1980’s and 1990’s and has experienced growth management issues in terms of affordable housing, retail work- force shortages, living wages, and traffic issues. Carroll County has made a considerable effort to improve educational opportunities in recent years. Pioneering efforts like the “Tech Village” sponsored by the Mount Washington Val- ley Economic Council, have begun showing the way on how the low-paying tourism industry can lever- age greater forms of economic development by attracting entrepreneurs and technology compa- nies based on quality of life considerations. Coos County, the region’s most northern area bordering Canada, had been dependent on 2
manufacturing, espe- cially paper manufacturing, for over 100 years. Now primarily dependent on recreation and tourism the county has been losing population since 2006 (Berniert & Lee PSU). However economic indica- Our shortest tors in 2013 show the beginning of a turnaround. border to the north is with Canada and we border northern Vermont to the west, western Maine to the REGIONAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ECO- east and New Hampshire’s Lakes Region to the south. In NOMIC DEVELOPMENT New England, we are part of the Great Northern Forest, which extends from northern Maine through Vermont into the Adirondacks of upstate New York. The Appala- chian Trail, from northern Maine to Georgia, also passes Natural and Environment Capital through the heart of our region. While NH does have a shoreline on the Eastern Seaboard the North Country Introduction does not, although the drive to the ocean from most Of the factors that most locations in the region is under a couple of hours. influence the North Country economy, the most fundamental b) Conservation Lands are the region’s natural The North Country contains large tracts of resources and environmental federal, state, and privately held conservation lands. capital. It is the mountains, These lands provide numerous opportunities for the rivers, and soils that ultimately outdoor recreation and tourism industries, flora and determine how communities fauna habitat, and the natural assimilation of pollutants develop and where growth contributing to a high quality natural environment. The occurs. This is true of the region’s major developed White Mountain National Forest encompasses nearly a areas that are located along our major rivers and/or in third of the region with over 700,000 acres of wilder- the lush productive valleys. ness and multi-use lands (adjacent 100,000 acres of In rural areas and especially here in the rugged WMNF in Maine). North Country, the natural environment can act as a Over half the landmass in several municipalities constraint to overall growth and commerce, but at the and unincorporated locations is located in the National same time these are the resources that offer the most Forest . In addition, there are 45 recreational parks, opportunity within the region. A cursory look at the wayside areas and forests under State auspices in the region’s industrial mix shows a heavy reliance on the North Country which contain over 60,000 acres. Some area’s individual raw materials including forest and wa- of these major conservation areas include the Nash ter resources, but even greater dependence on the Stream State Forest, Crawford and Franconia Notch overall environment. The region’s overall environment State Parks, Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, the Lake Um- affords a quality of life which is both coveted by the bagog Conservation Area and 10,000 acres held in trust residents and sought after by over 6 million tourists by Dartmouth College. visiting the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) alone. To the extent we allow our natural environment c. Geological Features to deteriorate from overuse or neglect, we risk losing The most predominant or degrading what is priceless about our region. geological feature in the North Country is the White Mountains, 2. Locational Characteristics which are like a spine crossing through the region. There are 48 a) Location in State, New England, Nation and peaks that reach over 4,000 feet World in elevation, which is far more he North County of New Hampshire is a triangular re- than in the Green Mountains of gion that encompasses the northern third of the State. Vermont or even the mountains in 3
the large State of Maine. The Presidential Range, a section of the White Mountains with the highest altitude, in- cludes Mount Washington, which is nearly a mile high and holds the record for the fastest reported wind Acid rain speeds in the world. Numerous other smaller mountain continues to be a major problem despite improve- ranges crisscross the region creating geography re- ments stemming from the 1990 Clean Air Act Amend- plete with peaks, valleys, mountain passes, rivers ments which resulted in the decline of sulfur dioxide and streams. emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Indeed, The North Country is home to the headwaters controls on nitrogen oxides and ammonia – key com- of three relatively large New England waterways. The ponents of acid rain – were not fully addressed by the Connecticut River creates a natural border between sweeping environmental regulations that began to New Hampshire and Vermont from its confluence high take effect in the mid 1990’s. Nitric acid will soon in the Connecticut Lakes of Coos County and travels the replace sulfuric acid as the dominant pollutant length of New England to Long Island Sound. The affecting forest ecosystems. If the trends continue, Androscoggin River, site of paper mill activity in several certain tree species, including the sugar maple as the locations, also originates in Coos County from Lake Um- most dramatic example, will inevitably decline as cal- bagog on the New Hampshire - Maine border and flows cium and other key elements are leached from the southeast entering Maine south of Berlin, New Hamp- soils by acid rain. And waterways, including reservoirs shire. The Saco River begins at Saco Lake at the south- that serve our large urban populations with drinking ern end of the Presidential Range and flows through water, will become increasingly polluted from atmos- what is known as the Mount Washington Valley, enter- pheric deposition of nitrogen and as the forest’s ing Maine through East Conway, New Hampshire. nitrogen cycle is distributed. Mercury pollution from the sky harms both humans 3. Some Major Environmental Challenges and and wildlife. While inputs of lead, another heavy met- al that can cause serious environmental problems, Opportunities have been reduced through legislation to remove it The following environmental threats have been from gasoline, mercury from coal-burning power identified by Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest USFS plants enters ecosystems and bio accumulates in fish, (2013). loons, mink, otters, bald eagles, and other wildlife high in the aquatic food chain. Mercury concentra- tions in fish and other animals now routinely exceed human and wildlife health thresholds in numerous areas of the Northern Forest that have been identified as “hotspots” for mercury in biological organisms. Invasive species and diseases constitute a rogues gallery of organisms often adversely affecting plants, wildlife, and in some cases human beings. Among the most notorious pests are deer ticks, which spread Lyme Disease; Eurasian milfoil, a water plant that clogs lakes and reservoirs; and Beech Bark Disease, which has devastated large numbers of mature beech trees. Three other invasive are poised on the perime- ter of the Northern Forest: the emerald ash borer, a beetle which has destroyed six million ash trees in Michigan; the hemlock wooly algid, an aphid like insect which attacks natural stands of hemlock trees; and even the ordinary earthworm (while common to our gardens, earthworms are not present in most of 4
our forests and their presence would threaten to change the ecological and biogeochemical makeup of the forest floor, with unknown consequences). Salinization of waterways results directly from in- fer from tim- creased salting of roads in winter months. On a ber company to timber company has been a historical stretch of Interstate 93 near Hubbard Brook Experi- pattern, these recent transfers signify a shift in land use mental Forest in New Hampshire, up to one ton of that has long-term negative implications for our econo- salt is deposited per road mile per day during the my. winter. The effects of road salting can be observed in River Corridor Protection increased chloride concentrations throughout water- Growing pressures on the state's river system sheds, with harmful effects to plant and wildlife pop- led to the establishment of a regulatory rivers manage- ulations and water quality. ment program. The program involves a planning pro- Fragmentation of the landscape results in a kind of cess, which is followed by categorical designation of riv- “leapfrogging degradation” across the Northern er segments. Depending on the designation of the seg- Forest. Unsuitable timber harvesting practices such ment, uses are restricted. The following rivers in the as extensive and uncontrolled clear cutting can result North Country are impacted: Androscoggin, Ammo- in acidification of soils, loss of key soil nutrients, and noosuc, Swift, Diamond, Saco, Israel, Connecticut, Pemi- pollutant loading of streams. Sprawl of housing and gewasset, and Baker. commercial establishments destroys habitat and im- portant travel corridors for wildlife. And unwitting Maintenance of the Environmental Integrity of the damage to small headwater streams can wreak bio- White Mountain National Forest Simultaneous to Mar- geochemical havoc to downstream water quality, and keting It as a Recreation- Tourism Destination declines in desirable species of wildlife. The National Forest is an economic develop- Climate change is the most pervasive of all human- ment generator for the region's tourism and wood prod- induced disturbances to the Northern Forest, with a ucts industries, as well as for local economies in the vil- growing list of documented effects that includes in- lages that surround it. The challenge is to use it without creasing frequency of ice storms and other severe spoiling it. weather events including severe flooding; soil freez- ing caused by lack of insulating snow over, which Preservation of Rural Farm and Forest Land affects the biogeochemistry of soils; substantially As farming and small-scale forestry become less reduced ice cover on ponds and lakes ( at Mirror Lake and less profitable there is a need to protect the land in New Hampshire, there are some 20 fewer days of from abandonment and subdivision. ice cover than in the mid-1960’s); a shifting home territories for plant, tree, insect, bird, and mammal Protection of Lakes, Ponds, and Wetlands species, with some species unable to adapt to the With growing interest in lakefront development, rapid change.” pressures rural, less accessible lakes have been growing.
In addition, other re- Solid Waste gional recognized environ- Management of solid waste is a growing con- mental threats include: cern in the region. Finding sites to manage the waste and protect groundwater and the public health are ma- Fragmentation of Large Indi- jor concerns. vidual and Private Tracts of Forest Land Maintenance of Productive Forests Shifts of land from Multiple economic and public policy pressures timber products to second- encourage forestland owners to extract short-term fi- home development and spec- nancial gain from their land. The resulting stands often ulation. Although land trans- do not yield the highest quality or value timber. 5
Commerce and Industrial Capital
for the moun- Introduction tain and river views it offers, for the variety of vegeta- Commerce and industrial capital are what most people tion areas from ledge to wetland and woodland, and the think of when they consider economic development. 18th and 19th century buildings and structures along it. The labor force, industries, infrastructure, and finan- Further, it is in large part uninterrupted by commercial cial resources are the bare bones of what makes an signs, standardized buildings, clear cut lots, over scaled economy work. structures, or any of the many other ways in which rural
corridors are scenically spoiled. In essence, much of the 2. Regional Infrastructure corridor is an excellent example of the typical New Eng- a) Roads land rural area unspoiled by over development”. Moving through the North Country is often a (National Scenic Byway Designation, 1997) challenge with the severe weather, mountain passes and major transportation routes which pass directly c) Rail System through our village areas, but what our transportation Rail linkage in the North Country exists in sections systems lack in efficiency is countered by their scenic involving several railroads. These carriers include the and aesthetic beauty. Boston and Maine, St. Lawrence and Atlantic, Maine Transportation linkages within and outside the Central, New Hampshire and Vermont and Claremont region are the lifelines of the North Country economy. Concord Railroads, which provide freight terminus The region’s major transportation systems including connections to Vermont and Maine. The St. Lawrence the road and railway networks and airports provide the and Atlantic, New Hampshire and Vermont Railroad, means of exporting products Maine Central and Central Vermont Railroads also play that are produced in the region part in the freight routes of the North Country. and importing the important
tourism trade. d) Regional Transit Systems Five major highways run Transit service for the public is limited in Northern New through the North Country. Run- Hampshire. However there are public transit routes ning east to west are U.S. Route between Berlin to Gorham; between Littleton, 2 and 302. Running north to Lancaster, and Whitefield; and a system that operates in south are U.S. 3 and NH Route a number of towns in the Carroll Country Region. A 16. Also running north to south feasibility study was developed in 2010 to look at the through the heart of the Council’s planning region is potential of developing a transit system in the 19-town Interstate 93. These routes serve as the primary thor- Plymouth area. Steps are being taken to implement sec- oughfares for truck transport and experience related tions of the plan, including using transit funds to reim- impacts such as road surface wear; high usage volumes burse volunteer drivers for providing clients with trips to and noise generation. medical appointments, shopping,
etc. Concord Coach Lines out of b) Scenic Byways System southern New Hampshire pro- The North Country Regional Scenic Byway system con- vides 2 routes in the NCC Region; sists of five distinct and unique loops plus 8 spurs with- the Littleton-Plymouth-Tilton in the loops. The White Mountains Trail, a nationally route and the Berlin-Conway- designated scenic byway encompasses two US high- New Hampton route. Both of ways, two State Highways and one Interstate Parkway. these lines have stops in Con- The Byway covers 123 miles and traverses ten cord, Boston, South Station and towns, and two unincorporated places. “The White Logan Airport and transfers can Mountains Trail is important for its varying topography, be made from Concord to Man- 6
chester or Salem. These routes include several stops along the way in NCC communities. Rail passenger service does not exist, with the exception of tourist-based, short haul railroads such as the Conway Scenic Railway in provider ser- North Conway and the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln. vices. Wireless LINC has coverage from North Stratford NH and Brunswick VT in the north to Landaff NH in the e) Regional Airports south, and from Barnett VT in the west to Jefferson NH Air transportation in the North Country is also limited in the east. to light commercial and private airplanes. However, in recent year there has been a concerted effort to up- g) Water Systems grade the facilities of the various North Country munici- Many water systems are not in adequate repair due to pal or regional airports including Berlin Regional Airport age or lack of maintenance, nor are they at sufficient in Milan and the Mount Washington Regional Airport in capacity levels to serve the entire town due to burgeon- Whitefield. There have been substantial investments in ing residential growth. Twenty-eight towns have some the Mount Washington Regional Airport over the last type of water system which serves the municipality, a couple of years. figure slightly more than half of the 51 municipalities in the region, according to the New Hampshire Depart- f) Communications Systems ment of Environmental Services. The remaining towns Advanced telecommunications do not have municipal water systems in place and are can help attract the industries dependent upon artesian and dug wells and surface needed to help diversify the water sources. regional economy. The major Many municipal water systems serve only growth industries in and outside portions of a town or may be designated as serving the the region depend on advanced municipality while actually servicing only state or county telecommunications. The North institutions within town boundaries. Examples of such Country has made tremendous systems are the Glencliff Home for the Elderly and progress in updating the broadband communications private developments such as The Mount Washington infrastructure. According to the NH Broadband Map- Resort including Bretton Woods Ski Area and the Omni ping & Planning Program (Nov., 2013) 99.7% of the Mount Washington Hotel. These systems are usually population of the North Country, and 98.9% of the confined to the development area and may or may not housing units, have access to broadband services. lend water services to the municipality. The North Country has access to a full range of Several towns such as Haverhill, Northumber- broadband modes, although all modes are not yet land, Carroll and Stewartstown have more than one available in all areas. Fairpoint Communications pro- system operating. In Lincoln, Loon Mountain Recreation vides most of DSL coverage. Fairpoint is continuing to Corporation supplies its own water plus allows the expand services, specifically in 7 communities: Albany, municipality to draw from its impoundment pond. Conway, Dalton, Landaff, Milan, Pittsburg, and Stewart- Most northern New Hampshire towns have stown, through an investment of approximately need infrastructure upgrading to $848,000 from the FCC’s Connect America Fund Phase I support increases in industry and Program. Cable broadband is primarily provided by development. NCC regularly Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Of all internet users, helps communities to upgrade 87% utilize cable internet, 97% have access to DSL and their systems in a number of 95% have access to cellular (fixed wireless or mobile). ways starting with capital There is virtually no access to fiber networks. improvement plans, applying for The Wireless LINC project led by NCIC is de- grant funds, and helping to man- signed to provide affordable broadband service in un- age implementation projects. served regions of the North Country and northeastern Vermont without being a competitor to the for profit 7
h) Sewer Systems Eighteen towns have municipal sewage treatment facilities in place at present, while the towns of Lancaster and Stratford have two sewage locations.
County or state institutional systems in the Council area the region, located in Colebrook, Conway, Haverhill, include the Carroll County Home, Franconia Notch Lancaster, Lebanon (2 sites), Littleton, Lincoln, Maynes- State Park and the Glencliff Home for the Elderly. boro, Plymouth and Whitefield. Several of these sites Private institutions with facilities include Bretton were constructed with EDA assistance. Some sites may Woods, Lost River Reservation in Woodstock and The need further infrastructure improvements and one, Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods. Technology Village in Conway is currently under expan-
sion. An emerging site, the former Groveton Mill in i) Electrical Systems Northumberland, is being cleaned-up in anticipation of The use of biomass energy for electrical power development. production has expanded in the region. Joining existing sites in Bethlehem and Whitefield, the Burgess BioPow- d) Business Incubators er plant, a 75 megawatt facility, came on line at the end There are three business incubators in the region, of 2013. including Technology Village in Conway, the Dartmouth Wind energy potential is Regional Technology Center in Centerra Park in Leba- enormous, especially in Coos non, and the Enterprise Center at Plymouth. A virtual County. Three sites have come business incubator is located at the White Mountains on-line, including Jericho Mtn (3 Community College in Berlin. MW), Groton Wind Farm (48
MW), and Granite Reliable e) Housing (99MW). The Mt. View Grand The North County has a higher percentage of vacant has its own wind turbine and housing compared to state as a whole. This is primarily a the Balsams Grand Hotel has function of the higher percentage of seasonal, recrea- proposed a 27 MW project. A tional or occasional use homes but also reflects the number of other sites in the region have been decline in the populations of some areas due to the loss proposed, mostly in the Plymouth to Rumney area. of major employers like the paper industry over the past Seven hydro-electric facilities are spread decade. throughout the region, including Berlin, Canaan, Carroll County has the highest percent of vacant Gorham, Lost Nation, Dummer, Errol and Moore Dam/ housing (47%) but nearly half of these are for seasonal Comerford, with a combined output of over 400 MW. and recreational use. By contrast, in Coos and Grafton
Counties, of all the vacant housing units (33% and 30% 3. Community Facilities respectively) only one quarter are for seasonal or recre-
ational use. a) Hospitals The percentage of rental housing units in Coos The North Country has seven major hospitals, located and Grafton Counties are similar in each of the region’s growth centers. The number of to the state as a whole, at ap- beds range from 16 in Colebrook to 25 in Berlin. proximately 30%, while Carroll County has a much lower per- b) Schools centage of occupied rental units Most communities in the region have their own ele- at nearly 21%. This low availabil- mentary schools but high schools are more regionally ity of rental housing in a county based. with a high number of lower- paying retail, tourism and recrea- c) Industrial and Business Parks tional industry jobs is an area of There are currently eleven Industrial/Business Parks in concern. 8
Employment by County
Overall North Country Region Four employment sectors provide over three from 14% ten quarters of the jobs in the North County. The largest years ago. sector, education services, healthcare and social services, comprise the largest sector at 28%, followed by wholesale trade at 22%. Another 26% of the jobs are Industrial Clusters divided evenly between retail trade and the arts, enter- tainment, recreation, accommodation and food service Introduction jobs. Manufacturing, the traditional source of high An industrial cluster is defined as a group of interrelat- wage jobs with benefits, declined from 14% in 2000 to ed, geographically centered industries and their key its current 8.9%. (Census data) The status of industry suppliers. In recent years, economic development prac- clusters, including emerging clus- titioners have focused on industrial clusters as the most ters, which incorporate many of important units of economic activity. Clusters facilitate these jobs are more fully de- business growth by providing a supporting network of scribed in the industrial cluster resources and services. When a number of complemen- sector of this report. tary businesses locate in the same general region they reap the advantages of a skilled pool of knowledge, 2. Carroll County skills, and services that elevate competitiveness. Carroll County, including the Mt. There are at least two major clusters that Washington Valley, traditionally revolve around the forest and the tourism industries. known for its recreation and re- Sub-sectors of the forest and tourism industries show tail industries, also reflects the high regional employment concentration. A special regional emphasis on education and healthcare ser- report follows on each of these industries to better vices. 23% of the workforce is employed in this sector. understand the linkages between these industries and The retail sector represents 15%, as does the tourism the overall economy and also to understand the related arts/recreation/accommodation/food service challenges and opportunities faced by each. sector. Manufacturing is the lowest in Carroll County, at 7% of the workforce, a decline of 2% from ten years 2. Forest Industry Cluster ago. a) Background Introduction 3. Coos County New Hampshire is 84% forested, and the northern three Over half of the jobs in Coos County are reflected in the counties have an even greater forest cover: Coos 91%, education, healthcare, retail and tourism-related Carroll 89%, and Grafton 90% respectively. Forests have sectors, consistent with the overall North County always been a major component of the economy of region. Coos County still has manufacturing jobs, em- New Hampshire, particularly the Northern three coun- ploying 9.5% of the workforce, but that is a significant ties. The pulp and paper industry reduction from 23% ten years ago. dominated both the economy and landownership of Northern 4. Grafton County New Hampshire for many dec- Grafton County has the highest percentage of jobs in ades. More recently, divestiture the education and healthcare services, at nearly 33% of of pulp and paper companies the workforce. Grafton also has the lowest percentage from landownership has given in the region of jobs in retail (11%) and arts/recreation/ way to an increase in non- accommodation/food service (11.9%). Grafton County industrial private ownership by has 9.7% of its workforce in manufacturing, a decline both timber management invest- 9
ment firms and other private forestland owners. In addition, the percentage of publically-owned land has increased in the region. As land ownerships have changed, the ob- is jective for owning land has begun to slowly change. not uncom- Forests are generally managed for multiple mon and has been a signature of the forest industry in uses, forest products, wildlife habitat, water quality, this region for decades. Markets for the raw material tourism, recreation, and any number of other values. (logs and pulpwood) are expected to remain robust as What was once a landscape dominated by one the US economy recovers. The recovery or reinvigora- objective—timber—has now given way to landowners tion of the secondary wood processing industry, that consider multiple uses of their land. This shift has facilities such as furniture or other manufactured wood created more and diverse opportunities for community products, is questionable, at least at the scale that it and economic development. While the dominant own- once enjoyed. Paper making from pulp shipped into the ership of large tracts of land in Northern NH remains state has fortunately enjoyed a modest resurgence, with timber management organizations, the gradual shift to new investment in the paper mill in Gorham. other types of ownership will influence the availability The land base that has been previously de- of wood for the market. scribed has also formed the basis for new and energized Maintaining a balance between the use of the recreation and tourism opportunities. The Jericho ATV forest for both products and energy with the protection Park in Berlin and the expanded public ownership of this natural resource and the around Lake Umbagog Wildlife Refuge in Errol are rural character it provides will examples of the shift to more tourism-based activities continue to be both the oppor- on forest land. The people of Northern New Hampshire tunity and the challenge for the have shown resilience in adapting to these new jobs, future. although some at much lower wages, in the tourism and recreation industries as well as the law enforcement b) Challenges facing the for- opportunities presented by the construction of two new est industry in Northern NH prisons in Berlin. The most obvious and recent challenge for Northern c) The Forest Industry in the North Country NH’s economy has been the loss of the pulp industry, of New Hampshire specifically the two mills in Berlin and Groveton, as Logging and Transportation Infrastructure well as the loss of two major secondary wood manu- Logging and trucking are the underpinning of facturing firms (furniture making) in Beecher Falls, VT the forest products industry. Owners of these compa- (just over the border) and Whitefield. This has dis- nies must balance the cost of production (people, debt, placed hundreds of workers who enjoyed well pay- fuel, insurance, etc.) with the market rates for produc- ing, full-time and full benefited jobs. ing the wood (service contract) or the price of the wood The reasons for business closures were com- at the mill (timber purchaser). As costs continue to plex, due mostly to globalization and more recently, the increase and the market prices for the products remain economy. The decisions to close some of the facilities vulnerable to global forces, the was not made locally but rather in corporate offices as logger and truckers often get part of a greater business strategy. These decisions squeezed. Logging has shifted to caused local economic upheaval, loss of jobs and loss of more mechanized methods tax revenue. However, the wood supply remained which has increased safety and stable and those producing it continued to find new production but has decreased markets, albeit, often at greater distances. Increased the number of people to who do volumes of pulpwood now move to Maine and Quebec the work. The increased mecha- and sawlogs also enjoy competitive markets both in the nization has also driven the cost region (Canada is considered part of the region) and of entering the logging business overseas. The wood flow both into and out of the state up so significantly that today it is 10
difficult for young en- trepreneurs to amass the necessary capital. Logging is a precarious business which is also subject to weather conditions. Recently, the Northeast has in- experienced more severe and unpredictable weather, novative, and along with shorter winter production seasons, which have invested in new technologies like computer con- translates to fewer days worked. Truckers are also sub- trolled scanners and sorters. There is a niche for small- ject to similar challenges but some find work at least er, retail- oriented mills that are nimble and able to ser- temporarily in other industries. Despite the challenges vice both local and regional markets with a variety of the logging and trucking industry remain strong products using a variety of species. Cash flow, inventory throughout the North Country. control and fixed costs continue to challenge the sawmill industry. Pulpwood The two large sawmills in Coos County still capi- Pulpwood continues to be a dominant product talize on processing high-value sawlogs, despite a de- harvested in the North Country’s forests. Some large cline in the board foot output between 2005 and landowners hold long-term fiber contracts with pulp 2009 (Simpkins, 2011). The mills add value by kiln- mills ensuring a continuous sup- drying, planning, millwork, wood container and pallet ply of wood and a guaranteed manufacturing. Other uses of the forest products in- (almost) market for the pulp- clude furniture and related products, Christmas trees wood harvested. The pulp indus- and maple syrup, but these are generally smaller (and try is much like other global in- sometimes seasonal) businesses. dustries, very much subject to the supply of cheaper product Furniture Industry from other places in the world The loss of the furniture and other manufac- such as China and Chile. North tured wood product’s industry was a considerable blow American suppliers are vulnera- to the North Country of New Hampshire. As the econo- ble to the increased capacity from many countries but my recovers and the global manufacturing impact of retain the ability to fill niche markets and respond to countries like China decrease due to domestic (in-China) crisis that may occur in other parts of the world. The consumption, the opportunity for US manufacturers is pulpwood industry in the Northeast seems to continue increasing, but in a different way. Gone are the mass with business restructuring and new ownerships con- production facilities, emerging are the nimble, custom tinue the demand for New Hampshire’s pulpwood. manufacturers that can take advantage of the consumer demand for Made in the USA products. Other ad- Sawmills vantages to wood products made in the US are: close to Northern New Hampshire has relatively few the resource, close to the market, fast delivery times, sawmills as compared with other regions of the state. service oriented, customer driven, quality control and This is mostly due to the pulpwood focus of the north, the sustainable sources for the raw material. Inter- and the other robust sawlog markets in Maine, Ver- estingly enough, the Chinese middle and upper class mont and Quebec, and more recently, overseas. North- consumers are more interested in ern New Hampshire’s sawlog market is truly regional. made in the US products than The diversity of species feed specialized mills such as those made in China. the spruce/fir dimension mill in Milan and the hard- wood mill in St. Malo, Quebec. White pine may flow to Wood Energy Maine or father south in New Hampshire, hemlock to Wood has always been a Berlin, veneer to Newport, Vermont or Lac Megantic, source of energy for the forest Quebec. Wood moves in all directions. products sector. During the The number of mills in the state and region 1970s wood to electrical genera- continues to drop but many of those remaining are tion became a major use for log- larger, more specialized by species and product, more ging residue and other wood man- 11
ufacturing waste. To- day, the industry remains producing over 150 Megawatts of power in seven facilities across the state. These plants currently use approximately 1.9 mil- of lion green tons of wood fuel. The capacity has recently fuel oil and increased as the Burgess Biomass Power plant went saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. The residential into production in Berlin. The 75 megawatt facility con- wood pellet boiler sector is also primed sumes an estimated 700,000 tons of whole tree chips. Fuel for this facility comes from New Hampshire and for growth. Due to the Model Neighborhood Project the surrounding states and possibly Canada. Depend- Berlin now has the highest per- capita density of wood ing on price the market for fuel may begin to compete pellet boilers in the country (Short/NFS 2013). Growth with the long-established pulpwood markets. Competi- in this sector will be a new activity in the woods as well tion may also draw wood away from those wood ener- as job and business creation for pellet delivery and boil- gy facilities in the region. The market provides land er installation and servicing. These wood systems use managers another tool for improving the forest by relatively small amounts of chips or pellets when com- removing the less desirable and lower value product. pared with the large wood power plants, yet the infra- The financial return to the land- structure feeding those plants is important to enable owner from whole tree chips is the smaller installations to obtain feedstock at a com- minimal ($1-2 per ton) so as not petitive price. This sector of the forest industry has to provide an incentive to har- great potential to expand and provide local fuel for vest purely for the energy mar- local communities, retaining wealth locally that can be ket. The cost of producing the invested for other purposes. The 40 residential wood chips in the woods is also higher pellet boilers now operating in Berlin are projected to than the value of the product. generate over $6 million in economic impact over the Therefore whole-tree chips will next 25 years, by keeping and circulating heating dollars not drive an increase in har- locally. vesting. It simply is not economically viable as the mar- ket exists today. Equipment investment is also a deter- Town Forests rent for loggers to add chipping equipment and chip A number of towns in the region have recog- trailers to their equipment mix. nized the value of their forest resources and have Recent initiatives to increase the use of large created town-managed forests. Some of these parcels scale pellet boilers have resulted in a number of com- were given to towns as gifts, but more often towns own mercial and municipal projects. These projects include parcels of forest land as a result of non-payment of the White Mountain School, the Littleton Police Station, taxes. Recently, trends are for communities to actively St. Kiernan’s Community Center for the Arts, AHEAD purchase land, as a community development effort. and the Grafton County Complex. Communities are experiencing economic, environmen- tal and community benefits from owning forestland: Small Thermal Wood Energy Revenue from timber management and harvesting New Hampshire is on the cusp of becoming the Protection of water sources nation’s leader in utilizing biomass, both wood chips Educational asset for the and wood pellets, to gain energy independence from school the use of home heating oil and propane. Sixty three Volunteer opportunity for percent (63%) of the heat generated in New Hampshire citizens comes from these petroleum products. In the North Conservation and enhance- Country of New Hampshire numerous installations in ment of habitat and natural hospitals (Weeks, Androscoggin, Littleton) and both the communities Grafton County and Carroll County facilities are utilizing Outdoor recreational space wood for a substantial portion of their heating and Local control cooling needs. Each is displacing thousands of gallons Larger investments in forest land 12
ownership by commu- nities have been as a result of thoughtful, long term planning. The town of Errol purchased over 7,000 acres to protect the gateway into town along the Androscoggin River. The town of Randolph purchased capture the 10,000 acres to avoid development of a resort or a highest possible total value from each unit of fiber, and ‘second village’ which would need to be serviced. in the process generate the maximum number of jobs Though Albany had 80% of its town in federal owner- and business investment from each ton of wood. The ship, the town purchased 300 acres of its own along the wood supply is based on utilizing existing fiber and Saco River intended to provide a local community focal growing willow as a raw material, both considered point. Long term sustainable management of the tim- “cluster” industries. They will feed the bio- products ber resource provides communities with long term cluster, which will use a hot water extraction method to sustainable income, as well as a sustainable resource obtain contribution to the forest industry. 15 different marketable chemicals. These chem- icals include nano crystal cellulose, butanol, ethanol, d) Conclusions and Emerging biodiesel, methanol and various acids such as lactic and Opportunities formic acid, etc. The lignin produced can be made into a New Hampshire’s North higher BTU pellet and other products for a wood prod- Country has the potential to con- ucts cluster. A fabrication and engineering cluster would tinue in its role as a natural re- manufacture the necessary equipment. Since both heat source economic driver. The and power could be created on the site, a food growing complexity and diversity of the and processing cluster and a power cluster would also forest products industry, while be created. challenging, is able to withstand major disruptions in the market, 3. Tourism Industry the landownership pattern, and the loss of well- paying jobs. While individuals and com- a) Tourism Regions in the North Country munities have and continue to have difficult economic There are seven tourist regions in the state; four challenges, the industry survives, reorganizes and of them include the North Country (see figure 25 on adapts to changing conditions. New opportunities ex- page 62), with two of them being the most significant. ist for further development of the secondary industry The White Mountains Region, which includes a majority when the market creates enough of a demand to of the North Country, is the largest and most visited warrant the investment. New products or processes tourist region in the state. The southeastern part of may emerge but will have to find a niche in the already Grafton County falls into the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee very competitive wood markets. Region, but the largest portion of the county is in the An example of the potential and an emerging White Mountains Region. The northern part of Carroll opportunity for a renewed forest industry has been County and the southern part of Coos County also falls proposed in the EDA-supported report on the New into the White Mountains Region. The majority of Coos Forest Economy Feasibility Study done in response to County, once part of the White the closure of the mill in Groveton, NH. While this Mountains Region, is now part of concept is still in research, development and demon- the Great North Woods Region. stration phase at the State University of New York The White Mountains Center for Brownfield Studies in Syracuse, New York, it and Great North Woods regions does lay out the potential for a renewed forest industry are not only important to the that could sustain the forest-based industry throughout North Country but the state as the Northern Forest region. well: the two regions generated This New Forest Economy introduces a new set 27% of the statewide tourist dol- of industrial and manufacturing opportunities, technol- lar spending in 2012. More sig- ogies and systems that will disassemble wood fiber to nificantly, the percent of increase 13
in the two regions between 2010 and 2012---30% for the White Mountains region and 28% for the Great North Woods Region---eclipsed the other regions in the state, two of fa- which showed decreases and three of which had only cilities and single digit increases. This increase may be a reflection the attraction of the area for a wide variety of tour- of increased marketing & promotional investments as a ists. region through such efforts as NH Grand. This area has had to, and continues to, address different concerns regarding the impact of tourism than b) Grafton County northern Grafton and Coos Counties. Traffic, higher real The North Country Council’s federally designat- estate costs, housing shortages, to name a few, have ed Economic Development District (EDD) includes the been issues for tourists and local residents. The growth entire county while our regional planning district from tourism has resulted in an increase in lower paying includes only the northern half. A small part, including service jobs and sprawling development. Plymouth, is in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee tourist The Mt. Washington Valley Economic Council’s region. The towns between Warren mission is to improve and diversify jobs and businesses and Littleton fall into the White in the area while maintaining a commitment to the local Mountains Region. The area bor- communities and natural environment. They feel this ders Vermont and the Connecti- diversity is needed due to the heavy presence of tourist cut River to the west. Over half businesses and will help sustain the economy in the the White Mountain National area. The Mt. Washington Valley Technology Village is Forest is located in Grafton one important example of this effort. This business park County alone. Assets of this re- will be begin Phase II of its expansion in 2013. gion include the Appalachian Trail, Scenic Byways such as the d) Coos County Presidential Range Trail, White Located in the most northern part of New Mountain Trail and River Heritage Trail and Franconia Hampshire, Coos County is the lowest populated county Notch State Park. Ski Areas include Cannon Mountain, in the state. Over 50% of the population is located in the Loon Mountain Resort, and Waterville Valley Resort. lower third of the county. The White Mountain Nation- al Forest, Connecticut Lake State Forest and the Nash d) Carroll County Stream State Forest cover much of the area. The very The North Country includes the seven most southern end of the county falls into the White Moun- northern towns of Carroll County. It is the second least tains Region and the remainder, beginning in and populated but fastest growing county in the state. Most around Berlin and going north, is part of the Great of the county’s population is in these seven towns and North Woods state tourism region. all of these towns are in the White Mountains Region. Coos County has seen the emphasis on tourism This part of the region is known as the Mt. Washington increase significantly over the past several years. The Valley, a tourist destination well known for its scenery, “NH Grand” tourism promotion, the 2012 opening of tax-free outlet shopping and many natural and the Jericho Mountain State Park, man-made attractions. The Mt. Washington Valley is a the 2013 Ride the Wilds festival four-season resort area offering numerous activities have all contributed significantly year round. The area offers everything for most tour- to the tourism economy in Coos ists, therefore they do not have to travel out of the County and has placed it “on the area for outdoor recreational activities, shopping, map” for a wide variety of recre- dining or lodging. The ski industry has been a long- ational activities from grando- h standing tourism anchor, and the recent focus on tels to ATV, trail bike and snow- utilizing the ski areas during summer and fall for mobile enthusiasts. The tourism activities such as mountain biking and zip lines have section has been a force behind contributed to the increased year-round use of the the documented signs of growth 14
in the Coos economy (INHS, 2013). Assets include Cohos Trail, Connecticut Lakes, and Appalachian Trail.
seasonal, e) Direct Benefits of Tourism which is different within the three regions. The overall economic contribution of the Wages for these tourist related jobs are generally on the tourism industry in the North Country is large and low end of the scale. For example, in the Northern NH continues to grow in terms of jobs created and tax Labor Market Region, the average wage for food prepa- revenues. According to the 2012 report from the ration and serving-related occupations is Institute for NH Studies, North Country tourists spent $10.27 per hour, compared to $18.25 per hour for all nearly $1.2 billion and generated over $345 million in occupations in the LMA (NH ELMIB, 2013). tax revenues. The Great North Woods and White A northern forest-wide survey completed in Mountains regions are ranked #1 and #2, respectively, cooperation between UNH, UVM, University of Maine in traveler spending per visitor day (INHS, 2012). and Cornell University, funded by the Northeastern Statewide, travel and tourism was the second largest States Research Cooperative, found that major land “export” employment sector, employing over 61,000 owners still have questions about the impact of tourism. people statewide, and at 22%, For instance, one of the survey questions asked about travel and tourism falls just be- the causes of disturbing land use changes. The majority low manufacturing at 22.1% of Coos landowners surveyed agreed that three of the (INHS, 2012). major causes includes “new owners cutting timber and subdividing,” “out of state residents restricting access” f) Indirect Benefits of Tour- to open land, and “second home owners creating a ism two-class system.” A majority of Coos landowners also There are additional in- agreed that “newcomers don’t value longtime landown- direct positive benefits of tour- er perspective.” These survey results underscore the ism that are not well under- need for tourism proponents to work with communities stood. The USDA has classified to prevent conflicts with community values. every rural county in the country according to which industries it is dependent on for the majority of its em- h) Tourism Summary ployment. Recreation and service dependent counties All towns and regions in the North Country are growing faster in terms of population and income recognize the economic benefits of tourism and are than manufacturing dependent counties, throughout searching for ways to most benefit their communities. the country. This situation clearly holds true for the While some areas are embracing new promotional North Country where Carroll County has been one of efforts to increase tourism, others are diversifying their the fastest growing counties in the state and Coos economy to balance tourism in their area. Regions are County has lost population in every national census identifying their unique characteristics, and their pro- since 1950. Incomes are also growing faster in Carroll motional efforts are including a strong emphasis on County especially “non-earned” interest, dividends and maintaining the rural character rent income which is becoming a larger share of county and protecting the natural re- income as more baby boomers retire to the area. sources. They are looking at re- gional and local marketing of her- g) Tourism Challenges Include Jobs and itage and cultural resources. In- Landowner Attitudes creased tourism can provide en- trepreneurial opportunities but Jobs created directly from the flow of tourists the planning process needs to in and out of the region include retail trade, the arts, include the public to prevent entertainment and recreation, and accommodations conflict between business and food services. These industries are typically growth and local attitudes. 15
The regional effort known as New Hampshire Grand is a good example of communities coming together to suc- cessfully promote tourism on a regional basis, in this case primarily Coos County. breads, The NH Grand brand website, www.nhgrand.com, meats, and cheeses. The demand for local food by a attracted over 27,000 unique visitors in 2012 alone. It growing number of consumers has helped some small promotes establishments, activities, events and ad- farms stay in business and expand, and has encouraged ventures in one comprehensive site, and also focuses new farm businesses and value-added producers to on social media as well as traditional promotional and start. marketing activities. The program has demonstrated a While challenges to dairy in the Northeast re- 15% increase in rooms and meals tax revenues in main very high, some farms are responding by consoli- the first 5 months of 2013, while the rest of the state dating and diversifying. Cheese making can be an essen- saw only a 5% increase. NH Grand installed four visitor tial part of a successful dairy business as demonstrated information kiosks in Berlin, Gorham, Twin Mountain by the success of a local creamery, which has won na- and Santa’s Village with kiosks underway in Groveton tional and international awards for its cheeses. and Colebrook. Working closely with the five area Planning and business development work is go- Chambers of Commerce, NH Grand is bringing together ing on now to expand the local food system in the re- business leaders from around the region to share ideas gion, with the goal of having local food and agriculture on how to best market both indi- key components in economic growth. From as diverse vidual businesses and communi- directions as cheese making and brewing, to traditional ties, as well as the region. and organic dairy, grass-fed meat, and specialty breads, the region has huge potential. Challenges include aggre- 4. Emerging Cluster: Agri- gation and distribution, getting technical assistance to culture farm businesses, and access to capital. But various The emerging agricultural efforts are aimed at addressing these, plus bringing land cluster encompasses both the back into agricultural production and linking farm seek- region’s heritage and traditional ers with landowners. Underlying all of this work is the farming and new trends in local importance of making nutritious local food available to food and farming. Traditional dairy remains the largest all North Country people. agricultural land use, although the number of farms has The “Keep Growing” project, funded by USDA dwindled. Prices for fertile land along the Connecticut with the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust as project River remain high or are increasing, as larger dairy manager, is currently mapping the food system and do- farms from the Upper Valley and Vermont compete for ing quantitative and qualitative research to understand land for grazing and growing corn and hay. the current state of the food system. Based on this re- In place of cows, some former dairy farms are search, an economic analysis and a marketing analysis now raising laying hens. A large national egg producer will be prepared in 2014, both of which will include rec- in Monroe has grown dramatically in recent years and ommendations for actions. is seeking more local egg producers. Some large laying barns are being built along the river on former dairy 5. Emerging Cluster in Berlin: Corrections farms. Cluster Many of the region’s new and smaller diversi- The corrections industry has grown extensively fied farms are aimed not at the national market but at since the Northern NH Correctional Facility opened in the local one. The Littleton Food Co-op, which opened 2000. With the addition of the Federal Corrections Insti- in 2009, has proved a game changer for small diversi- tution-Berlin, which opened in 2012, there is now a clus- fied farms. The Co-op provides a key wholesale market ter developing in Berlin around these two corrections to supplement farmers markets and on-farm sales. facilities, with ripple effects in all 3 counties. Farms from throughout the Connecticut River valley in When FCI-Berlin is completely staffed, the two New Hampshire and Vermont supply vegetables, institutions will be employing approximately 525 em- 16
ployees. There are also other opportunities for law enforce- ment in each county as there are county operated sher- iff’s departments. Finally, several communities in the North Country region have local police departments and its em- with varying staffing levels. Some of the larger local ployees. The following opportunities for entrepreneur- police departments can be found in Conway, Littleton, ship have been identified as directly related to the Lancaster, Gorham and Berlin. needs of these new employees: childcare, including full There are several levels of law enforcement in the time kindergarten, dry cleaning, pet care and boarding, North Country providing opportunities for those inter- laundromat, coffee shop, movie theater, gym/fitness ested in corrections. Beyond the positions of police center, more grocery options (including more interna- officers, sheriffs, and corrections officers, there are pro- tional food) and the hope for a gas station/convenience spects for individuals who have education or experi- store in the northeastern area of the city. ence in different fields with the corrections industry. There is a need for case managers, educators, Labor Market Characteristics healthcare workers, and maintenance technicians to name a few of the other positions available. All of these Labor Market Areas positions provide livable wages and good benefits. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has designat- The corrections industry has grown substantial- ed six Labor Market Areas (LMA’s) in the North Country ly since the Northern NH Correctional Facility opened (see figure 26 page 64), including Berlin, Colebrook, its door giving the North Country several relatively sta- Conway, Lebanon, Littleton and Plymouth LMAs. “In ble employment opportunities that weren’t available concept, an LMA is an economically integrated region before. While this industry does not fill the void left by within which workers can readily change jobs without the departure of so many manufacturing jobs in the changing their place of residence (NHES, LMA User’s region, it is bringing young people and families to the Guide, p.8).” In reality LMA’s give a good approximation area and providing opportunities for the youth of the of the local labor market area but are far from 100% region. White Mountains Community College has been accurate. working to provide curriculum that will be useful to By contrast, the NH Employment Security, Eco- those wanting to pursue a career in corrections here in nomic and Labor Market Information Bureau adds one the North Country. LMA to the North Country, the Haverhill LMA and also The corrections facilities also create opportuni- divides the state into “wage areas.” Four wage areas ties for ancillary businesses to serve both the industry that include the North Country: the Northern NH area, Conway area, Plymouth area and Lebanon-Hanover ar- ea.
2. Information Gap on Part-time and Seasonal Employment Part-time and seasonal employment is a major source of economic distress in the North Country in part because of our dependence on resource and tourism- based employment. The magnitude of the problem is difficult to quantify. Part of the trouble is that there is no standard definition of what constitutes part-time or seasonal employment. This problem also affects the ac- curacy of overall employment numbers. Employment totals can tell us how many people were employed at a certain point in time but they do not tell us if that per- son only works 20 weeks a year or 25 hours per week. In 17
effect, the person who has a job working 50 weeks a year, 40 hours per week is being counted the same as someone who only has employment for part of the year and/or part of the work week. 6.4%), while Many people work at part-time jobs to provide Carroll and Coos Counties (3.9% and 4.7% respectively) more flexibility in their schedules, but others take fall below the state percentage. these jobs because they did not have any other choice. According the NH Office of Energy and Planning Regardless of the reasons, uncovered employment can County Population Statistics 2013, Carroll and Grafton be very detrimental to the regional economy. For in- Counties are projected to see a steady increase in pop- stance, part-time workers can face unexpected medical ulation from 2010-2040. Carroll County will grow the costs or layoffs and need to depend on public assis- fastest, at 13%, while Grafton County will see a project- tance or welfare. In past surveys, the region had ed 6% increase. Coos County is projected to lose 17% of demonstrated twice the level of part-time and multi- its population during those years in a slow but steady job holders compared to the national average (13% vs. decline. 26%), but to better understand this problem will re- quire an updated and more in- 3. Education Attainment depth survey of the workforce. High school educational attainment and contin- uing education throughout adulthood is now the norm Social and Human Capi- in the nation’s growth industries. According to Dr. Ross tal Gittell in The Two New Hampshires (2013), rural NH, including the 3 counties in the North Country, have a Introduction lower collage attainment rate than metro areas of NH, Social and human capi- but with a higher percentage attaining associates de- tal, the people and institutions grees than bachelor degrees. This is important, as some that make the economy work, are studies have shown that graduates with an associate ultimately how we measure economic progress. In this degree in certain fields earn higher average salaries new knowledge economy, people with their physical than for those with a bachelor degree. skills, intellects, and new ideas are again at the center of production 4. Income and Poverty Region wide the per capita income in the North 2. Population Characteristics Country is below the state average, as the following Current population statistics for the North maps will show. Coos County has the lowest per capita Country can be divided into two trends. The first is that income at $24,059, a full 27% below the state average. the population age 65 and older will grow and the pop- Carroll and Grafton Counties are closer to the state av- ulation age 15 and under will shrink. This is similar to erage, falling at only 10% below the state average. How- the state as a whole. The other trend is that population ever, within each county there are communities that changes will not be consistent among the three coun- rise significantly above the state average and also dra- ties of the North Country. matically below, as much as 50% Demographics from Census 2010 currently below the state average. show that the mid- and mature working population Median household in- ages 25-64 in all three counties is fairly consistent with come tells a slightly different sto- the state as a whole, with one exception. Carroll Coun- ry. All of the 3 counties fall sig- ty shows a sharp deficit in the population age 25-34, at nificantly below the state aver- only 6% of the population, compared 11% in the state age, with Coos County 36% be- as a whole and 10% in Coos and Grafton Counties. The low, Carroll County 22% below other anomaly is in the age group 20-24. Grafton Coun- and Grafton County 18% below ty far exceeds the state as a whole (9.7% compared to the state average. As with per capita income, the averages can 18
vary greatly between communities. Male and female earnings for full-time year round workers are both below the state average. Fe- male earnings in Carroll County are 20% below the ject circum- state average, in Coos County they are 24% below and stances can differ, and this SWOT, and/or the CEDS in Grafton County 9% below average. Male earnings are goals do not necessarily mean that the CEDS Committee also below the state average, at 22% below in Carroll is in support of all related projects. County, 20% below in Coos County and 16% below in Grafton County. Again, there is wide variation when comparing individual communities. Strengths But it is when comparing poverty rates that the economy of the North Country is shown in stark con- Transportation Connections - The North Country trast to the state as a whole. While the state touts its has excellent highway connections to the rest of New 8% poverty rate as a success story, the North Country England and Canada I-93, I-91, Routes 2, 3, 16, 25, 26, suffers much higher poverty rates. In Coos County, 13 and 302. In addition, rail connections are still good via % of the population is below the poverty level. 10.3% of short haul lines and state owned corridors. The Man- Carroll County and 9.9% of Grafton County populations chester – Boston Regional Airport has given the North are below the poverty level. Country easy access to a major commercial airport in addition to the Portland, Maine Jetport and the Bos- ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOP- ton’s Logan Airport. Some of the more active smaller MENT PROBLEMS AND North Country airports are located in Berlin, White- OPPORTUNITIES field, and Fryeburg, Maine. Proximity to Major Metropolitan Areas - The North Country is strategically located 3 hours from Boston, EVALUATION OF THE RE- Montreal, and Connecticut in a central location on- I 93 and I-91. Opportunities for distribution, interna- GIONAL tional business, tourism, travelers’ services, etc. are ECONOMY – SWOT very high. ANALYSIS Alternative and Renewable Energy Assets - includ- ing hydro, forest, natural gas, landfill gas, agricultural The CEDS Committee waste, wind and solar worked exhaustively on the Hydro: There are several hydroelectric stations on the SWOT analysis adopted in 2013. Connecticut and Androscoggin Rivers providing clean, The result is an assessment of the low cost energy. Coos County is, at times, a net electrici- North Country economy with the contributions of over ty exporter. 25 economic development professionals. There was far Forest Resources - Approximately ninety-five percent of from unanimous agreement on the committee for each the North Country is covered by forest. Fiber supply is of these strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and adequate with the potential to threats, but there was agreement. The committee support existing industry, and requested that an introduction be added to the SWOT the new energy generation that analysis to describe the process, and several committee is replacing paper as the primary members were concerned with stating support for user of regional wood supply. certain activities or ideas (e.g., power generation This situation will be affected in through wind) unconditionally. In the end, the com- the future by the level of new mittee agreed that instead of adding lots of conditional energy production and the avail- and qualifying language to this SWOT analysis, a caveat ability of fragmented wood sup- should be stated at the beginning that individual pro- plies. 19
Tourism - The region offers year-round tourism with extensive natural, cul- tural, heritage and commercial assets (lakes, moun-
tains, anchor resorts, theme parks, grand hotels, sce- Regional/ nic byways, state parks, and the WMNF). Visitors gen- erate a sizeable contribution to rooms/meals reve- Community Character - The communities of the nues to the state. In addition, their visitor expendi- North Country and the region as a whole are largely tures generate hundreds of millions of dollars of eco- undeveloped with open spaces and scenic vista nomic activity in the region. These tourists are a mar- around nearly every turn. Small villages and towns ket opportunity for North Country communities and continue to be surrounded by the forested landscape. businesses. Village centers include a variety of locally owned shops, and a strong connection to the past is pre- Economic Infrastructure - Rooms, restaurants, served with historical buildings and resources business services and retail outlets are in place to throughout the region. The charm and the lifestyle of capture expenditures from the tourist and the local the region make it an ideal place to relocate to, start a business community. These facilities/services are in business, and enjoy a high quality of life. growth centers and development target areas. Growth Centers - The North Country has several Post-Secondary and Higher growth centers that service entire labor market areas; Education- Dartmouth, these communities are the economic engines of the PSU, Lebanon College and Gran- region. Growth center communities include Berlin, ite State College all offer 4-year Colebrook, Lancaster, Littleton, Plymouth, and Con- degree programs regionally. way. Each one, however, is unique; their diversity White Mountains Community gives us strength and stability as a region. College offers degrees, certifi- Local Development Groups - The North Country cates, and workforce training benefits from strong local development corporations. throughout the region through These development groups offer an actively engaged institution based, internet- local public capacity to get community-based projects based, and employer-based pro- done. grams. New Agricultural Opportunities - Although the total Quality Labor Force - Economy-wide structural acreage in cultivation has declined, there has been an underemployment and now unemployment hold increase in micro-niche farming and direct farm op- great potential for new business and employment portunities. Excess heat from power generation could opportunities. provide new indoor, year-round controlled environ- Clean Water - Large Supplies of fresh water include mental opportunities especially in proximity to mill, the headwaters of several major rivers which trav- landfill, and biomass generation sites. erse New England including the Connecticut, Andros- Community Banks - Strength of local lending institu- coggin, Ammonoosuc, and Saco. Water supplies, tions important to economic health of the region. commercial bottling withdrawals, and water rights all signal the increasing value of this resource. Retired Population- Human resource for work and volunteering. Quality of Life - The North Country offers high quali- ty of life in terms of low levels of crime, natural Improvements in Cultural amenities, and community village atmosphere. Opportunities - The region White Mountain National Forest - The White has an active arts and enter- Mountain National Forest accounts for approximately tainment scene which im- one-third of the land area of the North Country proved over the years. (approximately 800,000 acres total). It offers multiple Coos County-wide ATV Trail recreation and wood resource opportunities to the System - Coos County is be- region and is one of the region’s greatest economic coming a popular destination for ATV users and now has one assets. 20
of the largest year- round trail networks in the northeast.
Weaknesses Exported Services - There is little specialization in 302 and traded (exported) services beyond tourism. There is a 112 are the region’s East-west connectors. need to better measure and understand this im- Sectorial Work Force Limitations - Work force limi- portant engine of the economy. tations and shortages in the retail trade and service industries are a weakness. Our work force lacks some Uneven development across region - Uneven de- of the education, skills, and sheer scale to compete velopment across the region globally for development opportunities with other including manufacturing and more highly educated and populous areas around the recreation dependent areas globe. leads to starkly different eco- nomic conditions including in- Development Ready Sites - The North Country lacks come disparities, housing costs, parcels and industrial buildings with sufficient road and economic opportunities. A and broadband access suitable for quick and easy de- growing income disparity velopment. around the region especially in Comprehensive Broadband, Cell, and Wi-Fi Access - high growth recreation areas Broadband Internet Access, affordability, quality, and has been documented. (Source: redundancy in some areas are either inadequate or NFSEI, June 2008). non-existent (though recent developments are yield- High energy costs - The region labors under high ing new broadband infrastructure that will mean energy costs compared to national averages. Many better coverage and affordability in coming years). intensive users “wheel” for energy on daily markets Transportation and Infrastructure Investment - and others are generating on-site to control energy The region’s roads, bridges, water and sewer systems costs are in need of major investments to allow these sys- Tourism Job Quality - Tourism job quality on aver- tems and our communities to accommodate new age is low in terms of wages, benefits, and year- growth and development. Our transportation infra- round employment compared to other industries. structure is in need of higher investment levels to Overall Job Quantity and Quality - There is a major maintain accessibility levels (roads, bridges, railroads decline in overall employment and quality year-round etc.). Little public transportation is offered. jobs with benefits in Coos County. This is partially Downtowns Floundering - There are 25 expressed as a long-term decline in manufacturing “downtowns” or “village compact areas” in the region (and other industries) without major replacement of that are groping for direction or trying to achieve quality jobs and economic diversity. Wages for ser- some level of economic stability. Our downtowns are vice and retail sector job have stagnated or declined the heart of our small business economy. As our throughout the region. downtowns and small businesses falter and have few- Limited Knowledge-Based Jobs - Jobs for high-end er diverse offerings to attract service and high-tech jobs based on relative perfor- attention and traffic, our com- mance of those industries vs. national average (i.e., 2 munities as a whole fail to -3% in NF counties vs. -5 6% nationally, NFSEI, June grow and prosper. 2008) is limited. Large Geographic Area/ Tax Structure - NH tax structure continues to in- Small Skewed Population - crease local property tax burdens and limit resources Our region’s population is essential to community and regional development. spread over one-third of the East-West Highway - There is a significant lack of state’s land mass. The cost of efficient east-west highway connections. Routes 2, delivering both public and pri- 21
vate services to this population is high and, in many cases, not cost effective. As a result, many services and business opportunities are not available in the North Country.
Erosion of Agriculture - As the economic future of small-scale family farming declines, the threat to Lack of regional co- community culture and rural land use increases. In hesiveness: the Connecticut River Valley and Coos County, this Fragmented Telecommunications- No state or re- worsening problem is causing long-term change and gional strategy to insure that the North Country has is causing the regional economy to falter. equal access to telecommunications. Revenue Based Fragmentation- Our municipal members and many of the projects we work on are fragmented by the revenue and political structure of Short Sighted View of the Region’s Wood Re- New Hampshire’s government. sources and Lack of Incentives to Encourage Physical Economic Constraints. The rough terrain indigenous to the White Mountains of northern Longer Rotations to Develop Quality and Diver- New Hampshire is often an economic constraint to sity of Forest Products - The de- work force availability, regional transportation and sire to reap short-term financial cohesive regional strategies. gain from the region’s forests Leadership Crisis - As the North Country changes as works against the longer natural a result of world and regional economic forces, cycles of forest regeneration and there is limited local and regional leadership to help growth. The resulting harvest us manage or respond to the change. of high volume, low value wood Lack of Local and Regional Land Use Planning Pol- discourages the development of icies – this can result in land use patterns like sprawl more diverse, higher value add- which have negative effects on the region’s natural ed manufacturing. resource base and economy. Municipal Basis for Economic Climate - Short growing season, long winter, and often Development - Revenue and governance struc- severe weather conditions can limit economic activity. tures in New Hampshire’s municipal government Lack of Economic Diversification - Loss of pa- discourage collaboration. permaking jobs in Coos has exposed a North Country View of the North Country as Inaccessible and economy lacking diversity in its forest industry and its Remote - Prospective new businesses can reject con- economy overall. Tourism continues to be a leading sidering a North Country location because of our per- industry but this can no longer be said for manufac- ceived isolation. The lack of access to cell, internet turing. The region continues to explore opportunities and Wi-Fi signals in some areas including downtowns in finance and insurance, energy, and high-end service and major transportation corridors, reinforces this jobs to diversify the economy. view. Importation of Energy Means Exportation of Re- Low Per Capita Income - Limited incomes translate gional Wealth – Although the region is a net energy to limited opportunities for education, less discre- exporter, most of the energy used in the region must tionary expenditures, and a contracting economy. be transmitted over the grid, while transmission ac- Concentration of Communities with High Poverty counts for half of the cost of electricity. An import- Levels – On average, income and wage levels are substitution program focused on energy could allow lower in the North Country than the rest of NH. the region to derive more benefits from its growing Low Educational Attainment – According o the energy production industry including biomass, wind, 2000 US Census, the percentage of high-school grad- and other sources. uates is 77% for Coos, 88% for Grafton and 88% for Access to Capital - especially equity, high risk for Carroll counties. new venture and lines of credit for established busi- 22
nesses struggling with overall economic decline in the state and nation but felt must acutely in rural areas with lim- ited economic base. Aging Workforce – while this is a widespread prob- well- man- lem, trends in North Country counties is especially aged forests. We can renew an industrial base acute. (energy, manufacturing, construction, tourism) that Attractiveness of Region to Young People – utilizes the forest. In the face of pressure to convert Younger people still want more social, arts, cultural land to non-forest uses, public policy efforts such the opportunities than the region provides. Forest Legacy program and the 14 state Regional Health Indicators – A recent health survey rated Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) should support the Coos County, in particular, as below average in terms retention and stewardship of existing well managed of the health of the overall population. forests in the Northeast including new and proposed town forests which have a number of advantages over Opportunities other remote forest owners. Promote new collaboration opportunities be- tween conservation and economic development Encourage Local Energy efforts- Work on mutually reinforcing goals such as and Heat Production and local agriculture and development, working wood- Conservation– Develop lands, and protecting cultural and natural resources appropriate local energy and important to tourism can bridge historic differences heat utilizing renewable between the conservation and economic develop- (including biomass, hydroe- ment communities. lectricity, wind , solar), and Recruit growing retiree population – Retirees could alternative resources assist with shrinking labor force issues, the on-going (including methane from needs for leadership, knowledge and experience, and solid waste) for local use. for their ability to invest in communities and new eco- This approach can lower lo- nomic opportunities. cal energy costs, increase effi- Support Regional Marketing Efforts – Tourism con- ciency of natural resource use, create more tradition- tinues to be a regional economic mainstay but less so al jobs, create more new alternative energy services in Coos County where efforts are being made to high- and manufacturing jobs, and potentially ease trans- light world-class resources and qualities. mission capacity issues. Conservation can occur through improving building envelope efficiency the Commercialize New Wood Technologies – The North Country and New England, in general, is known North Country wood industry needs to diversify and to have an older housing stock while energy efficien- one important way could be to utilize new R&D cy building technology has greatly advanced in recent through federal and university labs much as the years. Brown Company did in Berlin 100 years ago. The eco- nomic development community may be able to play Support Broadband Deployment Initiatives – an important role in creating a Improve broadband access and quality to increase wood products development economic opportunities by making traditional indus- center. tries more efficient and spurring new industries, ap- plications, services. “Buy Local and Sell Global” – The “Go Local Movement” to Greater connections to the Canadian markets, produce and purchase locally is innovations, and workforce. premised on better customer Support Long-term Stewardship of Forest Re- service, better and healthier sources – Create incentives to reward the long-term products, higher local econom- ownership, wise use, and conservation of healthy ic multipliers, and reduced en- 23
ergy consumption. Selling globally or exporting products and/ or services can help a regional economy or nation build wealth. Likewise, import substitution, where the region substitute’s its resources (e.g. energy) for counseling, that are currently imported is another way to build financial, policy and tax credit assistance, especially regional wealth. start-ups. Encourage Niche Industries – Services and prod- Support Local Food Production – Support in- ucts (including manufacturing) which are developed creased markets and agriculture infrastructure need- to serve lucrative specialized markets is a good strat- ed for greater local food production. As the premium egy for smaller scale rural firms. for fresh food and food security rises, this could be- Support High Amenity Resort Areas – These resort come an important import substitution strategy for areas can support the region’s natural and cultural the region. resources while providing important employment Workforce Training opportunities with High and regional investment. Schools - The North Country has experienced some success in tying high school education into local em- ployment needs including internships and job shadow Support the Region’s Crea- programs. tive Economy- The region has a higher percentage of health, ed- ucation, artist, and self- Data Cloud Back-up Services – A data storage firm employed occupations than the recently located in the Littleton industrial park be- overall national economy. These cause it met special site requirements including se- high-end service occupations are cure, quality power and communications infrastruc- expected to offer job growth in ture and distance from a major metropolitan area. the foreseeable future. Relatively Low Land Prices Attraction- The region Expand Training and Job Creation in Building In- could be attractive to land intensive industry including cluding “Green Building” Trades - New demands agriculture, and second homes. for retrofitting all types of old construction, installing Boosting International Tourism Revenues – alternative energy systems, meeting new building international tourists are interested in new England codes, building second homes, and various other and on average stay longer and spend more and types of building have increased the regional demand currently exchange rates are in their favor with a for old, new and newly trained construction profes- weak dollar. sionals. Encourage Expansion of Emerging High Technol- Threats ogy Business Sector - The Hanover area of the re- Labor Force Development Needs to be Bolstered - gion has experienced the most high-tech growth with The North Country continues to face a shortage of Dartmouth-based computer and health industry de- service and tourism workers in addition to skilled velopments over many years. The rest of the region professional and technical workers to support the needs investments in infrastructure, supporting poli- expansion of the region’s growing firms. The loss or cies, and labor force to better compete in these in- outmigration of 25-34 year olds coupled with an aging dustries. workforce could further reduce the labor force. Support Cluster-Based Economic Development – Middle-Class is Shrinking - In Carroll County Supplier networks need to be better developed especially, there is evidence that the middle class is between major manufacturing and service areas in shrinking because of a lack of broad-based employ- the North Country. ment opportunities and relative growth in lower Expand Small Business Support Services- Many paying retail and service jobs, as well as an influx in small businesses need more business planning, higher income retirees. In Coos, there has been 24
substantial out- migration due to lack of economic oppor- tunities and increased costs of living. Controlling Sprawl – Sprawl can have negative fiscal Inter- and economic impacts on a community increasing Infrastructure costs, and travel times, and suppress- ruption of Regional Food ing attractiveness, downtowns, and local merchants. Supply – Many food items travel hundreds if not Fragmentation of Agricultural and Forest Land - thousands of miles before they reach the North The North Country is experiencing shifts of landuse Country consumer. A recent NH food security study from open agricultural and forests lands to second- mentioned that the average supermarket is only home, retail and other types of development. The stocked for three days before food shortages start resulting fragmented lands can be less economical to occurring. As energy, transportation, commodity costs farm and practice forestry on. continue to rise throughout the world, the risk to the region’s access to an affordably imported food supply Loss of Local Water Supplies - Water is a becoming may grow. a valuable commodity which can be bought and sold by large corporate interests where ecological impact Reduction in the Number of Community Banks - is difficult to gauge. Even large conservation ease- Community banks are important players in the local ments are starting to exempt water extractions from community and economy. As banks become larger any development limitations. This issue has re- and their decision-making becomes more distant, ru- ceived most attention from our western Maine neigh- ral like the North Country could suffer for it. bors and in southern NH to date.
Disincentives to Local Heat and Power Produc- Last year we completed a location quotient tion– Local power and heat production is held back analysis. The region for the analysis consists of the Re- by several issues relating to back-up power afforda- gional Planning Commission region because the NH Em- bility, local government and nonprofit capacity to ployment office aggregates data to this level. We are manage production, and regulatory limitations on seeking to encourage them to aggregate at the EDD lev- local transmission. el for
25
future analysis. County analysis conducted provided an overview of the amount of job creation between 2000-2013 that could be attributed to general national growth, the growth that was generated because of the business lon- sector itself, and the growth in jobs due to regional gevity, reduces operational costs, supports competitive- competitive share. The number jobs for Grafton, Coos ness and reduces business impact on the region’s natu- and Carroll Counties combined during that time period ral landscapes. Coupled with land use decisions that increased by only 1,465. also support economic and environmental sustainability What is important to understand is that the make the North Country an attractive place to live and influence of the national growth in employment was work while maintaining its rural beauty. responsible for 2,491 jobs, and the influence of the Risk Management and disaster preparedness plan- strength of certain sectors of employment was respon- ning within businesses and communities through- sible for 2,707 jobs during this time. The region itself, out the region will strengthen the resiliency of the while if appeared to fair well from the recent economic North Country. recession, resulted in –3,733 jobs being created Rationale: Risk Management and preparedness plan- through regional competitiveness. ning is an essential part of keeping a business and a community running after natural disasters, extreme weather events and unforeseen changes in the econo- my and the landscape.
COMPREHENSIVE The North Country Wisely Uses Its Alternative and ECONOMIC DEVELOP- Renewable Resource Base To Generate Energy And Heat For Community And Regional Economic Bene- MENT STRATEGCY fits. GOALS AND OBJEC- Rationale: The decline of the pulp and paper industry TIVES and higher energy costs have increased interest in al- ternative and renewable energy production. Our for- est resource is one of our greatest competitive ad- The following goals were vantages, and the need to use that resource sus- developed under supervision of the NCC CEDS Com- tainably has recently been brought into focus by wood mittee in 2011 and are still valid. The steering com- supply and availability studies. There is also a recogni- mittee decided not to list the goals in any order of pri- tion that efficiency and other local economic benefits ority in order to provide more flexibility in meeting can be increased by capturing heat (i.e., cogeneration, community needs. Measurable objectives and action district heating), and using a greater share of the energy steps will be developed. This year, however, the CEDS locally to economize on transmission costs. Distribution Committee thought it prudent to add two new Goals to and transmission costs are currently an issue. It is widely the list based on recent work by NCC in the area of re- recognized that some existing reg- siliency and sustainability. The new Goals are (in red): ulations and policies may need to The North Country supports a sustainable econo- be reviewed and adapted. my by guiding and encouraging sustainable busi- Raw Agricultural And Forest ness practices and supporting responsible land Products Are Processed To development patterns that are economically The Maximum Value-Added sound and considerate of social and environmen- Potential At North Country tal needs. Facilities. Rationale: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, fuel Rationale: Higher value-added -efficient and alternative vehicle solutions, reduction of means higher productivity and solid waste and other sustainable practices support wages by processing raw materi- 26
als into finished goods. For all that can be said about the pa- per industry, the value-added is remarkable. A cord of pulpwood sold by a landowner for $2 could be worth 50 times that as pulp and 75 times that as paper. Sim- ple logs sold by a landowner for $125 per thousand feet preneurial Business Environment. when sawed into lumber are worth at least 3 times Rationale: A famous economist by the name of Schum- more (or $350 per thousand feet) (INRS 2007). peter once described the cycle of “creative destruction” The North Country Communities Increase The where some firms go out of business and new firms rise Number And Improve The Quality Of Jobs While to take their place. One characteristic of the creative Protecting Rural Character And Heritage. economy is that these cycles happen more rapidly Rationale: The North Country has fewer living wage based on innovations made throughout the world. With jobs, lower average wages, more part-time, seasonal, the increasing turnover of firms, innovators and entre- and multi-job holders than the rest of the state. Not preneurs are crucial to regional economic prosperity. only does this affect households, but ability of entire The North Country Realizes New Economic Diversi- communities to provide essential municipal services. fication Opportunities. While more high paying jobs with better benefits are Rationale: It is widely accepted that economic diversifi- wanted, there is also a widespread desire to “protect cation results in more resilient and stronger regional rural character” as defined by many of our communi- economies. The North Country has experienced a huge ties’ Master Plans. decline in manufacturing over the last 50 years with no Regional Competitiveness Is Improved Due To new major industries taking its place which has resulted North Country Infrastructure Investments In in the region being more dependent on fewer indus- Transportation, Schools, Sewer And Water, tries. The expansion of high-end service jobs and the Telecommunications, And Other Infrastructure. energy industry may be two of the top economic diver- Rationale: Much of our core infrastructure including sification opportunities. roads, schools, sewer and water was built over 50 years The North Country Expands Partnerships, Mar- ago and is in need of replacement or major rehabilita- keting Efforts And Other Coordination Initiatives tion. At the same time, new investments in telecommu- Across The Region Among Nonprofits And Private nications are essential to regional competitiveness. Industry Groups. Regional Competitiveness Is Improved Due To Rationale: Economies of scale among clustered and North Country Public And Private Investments In networked industries, and scarce resources among non- The Regional Education And Health Systems. profits (including leadership, and volunteer time) ne- Rationale: In today’s knowledge economy, both hard cessitate collaborative approaches to economic devel- and soft infrastructure is crucial to economic perfor- opment. Regional branding and marketing efforts have mance. The region’s education and health systems are become especially important in differentiating products not only crucial to our quality of life but are expected and services in a very busy world. to continue to lead both in the number and growth of The North Country Is A Working Landscape Of Suc- high wage jobs throughout the region. cessful Farms And Actively Managed And Produc- North Country Public And Private Investment In tive Forestland In Which Soil, Job Training Across All Industries Is Made To Water, And Related Natural Boost Competitiveness. Resources Are Conserved Rationale: Economic development is workforce devel- Using Sustainable Practices. opment, not just infrastructure and finance any- Rationale: A working landscape more. Whether you refer to our national economic reflects the preservation of open transformation as the new information, knowledge, space through support of natural creative, or networked economy, workforce is now the resource industries and is one key factor of production. essence of rural character. In a natural resource dependent The North Country Creates And Nurtures An Entre- economy, it is especially im- 27
portant to manage resources for long-term gains. Support the creation and maintenance of an ade- quate supply of decent, safe, sanitary rental and for-sale housing which is convenient and afforda- results are ble for working families and located in a wide vari- included on the CD accompanying the hard copy of the ety of the region’s communities. Encourage strong plan and on nccouncil.org. home ownership patterns which strengthen com- munities and help families to build assets. LISTENING POSTS Rationale: Good affordable housing is an essential In collaboration with the other regions, boxes community need reflecting past economic develop- containing comment cards and flyers about the project ment performance and future prospects for growth. were produced and distributed around the region. Resi- dents and visitors had the opportunity to report "what COMMUNITY AND PRIVATE SECTOR is best about this area" and "what could make it even better." Boxes were put in town offices, libraries, Laun- PARTICIPATION dromats. Staff also went on the road seeking input to Opportunities were more involved than in pre- the questions in person at the Lancaster Fair, a local vious years. From 2012-2014 North Country Council food shelf, and meetings of local groups such as the conducted significant research and produced a regional Grange. plan. CEDS input was coordi- nated with this effort. WEBSITE The development of the In concert with the other eight regional plan- plan was driven by the ning commissions North County Council utilized a web- belief that community- site under the project name Granite State Future to ad- based approaches to vertise upcoming meetings, post meeting results, and planning tend to be collect input. more effective because they incorporate rele- ON-LINE SURVEY vant knowledge and ex- An on-line survey tool was incorporated into the perience of those affect- Granite State Future website to provide anyone who did ed, while being guided not have access to a listening post, or who chose to an- by community goals and swer the questions on-line, another avenue to tell plan- needs. The following opportunities for public engage- ners about their priorities. In addition, the QR code for ment were available. the website was included in the annual report sent to each member community for the town report. FACILITATED PUBLIC MEETINGS At the start of the project in fall 2012 a series ON-LINE FORUM of six widely-advertised public meetings were held This tool enables the user to pin comments in around the region: various categories to a map of the region. Or, users Albany Town Hall could add comments of a more regional nature without Littleton Area Senior Center pinning them to the map, and “vote” the comments of Colebrook Town Hall others up or down. Plymouth Town hall Haverhill Municipal Building UNH SURVEY CENTER Berlin City Hall With input from North Country Council Staff and Discussion focused around two questions: what the state's eight other regional planning commissions, qualities of the North Country residents value most highly, and what the highest priority needs are. The the UNH Survey Center developed a survey covering 28
several topics of inter- est to regional planners. The Survey Center staff conducted the survey by telephone in each of the regions, making sure to collect enough responses to obtain a statistically significant sample for each region. economic Due to the size and diversity of the North Country Re- development and transportation were invited to those gion, North Country Council commissioned over- discussions to participate in brainstorming. sampling to ensure a statistically significant comparison among the group of communities in Coos County, those MASTER PLANS in Carroll County and those in northern Grafton County. Municipal master plans represent the communi- ty consensus on goals, priorities and needs. North Coun- UNH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION & NH LIS- try Council staff reviewed those that were available in TENS the Council library or on-line as one of the starting UNH Cooperative Extension staff conducted points for development of proposed strategies for the small group interviews with a number of focus groups region. who were identified by the regional planning commis- sions as having some needs and concerns that are not MUNICIPAL SURVEYS always conveyed through "traditional" public participa- Surveys were mailed to every member of a se- tion methods. These included disabled residents, those lectboard/city council or planning board in the region to with low incomes, minorities, senior citizens, youth, obtain information on the region's needs and priorities homeless, recent immigrants, and veterans. specific to municipalities. NH Listens held two Listening Sessions in the Each North Country Council Representative, Se- North Country for this project - in Plymouth and Berlin. lectboard/City Council and Planning Board was provided These sessions followed a standard format with break- a copy of the preliminary draft plan for review and com- out group discussion facilitated by sample questions ment prior to initiating the formal public hearing pro- followed by free flowing discussion. cess. Copies of the draft were also sent to members of the Council's Comprehensive Economic Development NORTH COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES Strategy Committee and Transportation Advisory Com- North Country Council Representatives held a mittee. The public was provided a copy in each library in series of meetings on a range of topics of concern, cov- the region, with notification via a widely distributed ering data and trends regarding the region's housing, press release. transportation, economic development, energy and A series of open houses was held around the natural resources. Subsequent meetings focused on the region in September 2014 to give residents an oppor- input received through the public engagement process, tunity to engage in one-on-one dialog with Council staff needs, priorities and strategies. The region's experts on about the preliminary draft if desired. The open houses were held from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the following town offices: Albany, September 8 Stratford, September 16 Gorham, September 16 Haverhill, September 23 Franconia, September 29 Rumney, September 30
Notice of the open houses was included with the preliminary draft plans, sent to the region’s newspa- pers, posted on the Council website and sent to all of the Council’s email contacts. These open houses ena- 29
bled over fifty North Country residents to engage in one-on-one conversations with Council staff about issues of con- cern and priorities, and brainstorm about strategies for addressing North Country issues. Samson, Mike - Town of Canaan North Country CEDS Committee Active Mem- Scobie, Kirsten –NH Charitable Foundation bers--Updated December 20, 2015 Sewake, Geoff –UNH Cooperative Extension Stephens, Scott - Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Amsden, Ben - Center for Rural Partnerships, PSU Tuthill, George - Town of Alexandria Andreas, William - NCC Board Bassett, Amy - U.S. Small Business Administration STRATEGIC PROJECTS, PROGRAMS Chase, Sam - Economic Development Corporation, AND ACTIVITIES (as of Dec. 2015) Whitefield Claflin, Mike - AHEAD Cooper, Marilinne - WREN PRIORITY PROJECTS Cuddy, Jac - MWVEC Groveton Mill Infrastucture Demark, Rick - RC &D Coordinator Littleton River District Revitalization Freeman, Jon - Northern Community Investment Corp. Littleton Industrial Park, Phase IV Planning Gilman, Michael - NH Employment Security Colebrook Complete Streets Project Guldbrandsen, Thad - Plymouth State University Gyawali, Meena - NHCDFA PROJECTS IN PLANNING Laflamme, Pam - City of Berlin Morrison Senior Living Community - Whitefield Lamontagne, Benoit - NH DRED, Div. of E.D. Berlin Industrial Park Expansion MacPherson, Gregg - USDA RD Merner, Troy - G.R.E.A.T. POTENTIAL FUTURE PROJECTS Merrow, Becky - Town of Colebrook Tech Village Expansion –Conway Nelson, Diana - NH Employment Security Whitefield Industrial Park lots- Whitefield Powell, Peter - Powell Real Estate Canaan Health Facility - Canaan Reed, Len - Len Reed & Company Rt. 3 service corridor development – Bristol Scala, Michae - CEDC Bristol Solar Energy Project Selchen, Frumie - Arts Alliance of Northern NH Bristol Econ Revitalization Zones Thayer, Chris - AMC Enfield Econ Development Committee - T.A. Wellington, Chris –GCEDC Ashland Econ Development Committee –T.A. Wood, Matthew –White Mountains Community College The Balsams redevelopment –Dixville
North Country CEDS Auxiliary Members PROJECTS COMPLETED IN 2015 Berner, Ruth - Grafton County Senior Centers Littleton VA Clinic Bresnihan, Brian - Office of Congresswoman Kuster CNC Training Program – Brigham, Alan - EDA Littleton Brown, Rebecca - Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust Doyle, Benjamin –USDA-RD Duddy, Roy –Eversource COMPREHENSIVE Felton, Steve - Town of Ashland ECONOMIC DEVEOP- Hadfield, Shelley - City of Lebanon MENT PLAN OF AC- Henderson, Chuck - Office of Senator Jeanne Shaheen Johansson, Greta - U.S. SBA TION FOR 2016 Knox, Steve –Town of Albany Martey, Katy –NHCDFA 30
Research and analysis on local supply chains. NCC is inves- tigating regional supply chains, location quotients and regional sustainability factors as a way of identifying areas of exploitable growth and opportunities to pro- reach/ mote connectivity between businesses. A set of sus- Marketing coordinator, the time and energy to imple- tainability criteria has been identified (based on CERES ment this will require these planning funds. Working and STAR Community Rating criteria) and are being fine directly with the companies graduating from the DRTC -tuned by staff and the CEDS Committee. By mid-2016 there could be new businesses or ancillary to manufac- we plan to roll these into the Project Profile form so turing that could local further north. that projects can be evaluated not only for their job Engage provocative speakers at both the CEDS creation potential, but also for their inter- Committee level and publicly to educate the public on connectedness to other businesses in the region; their changing cultures and demographics that will require level of environmental impact; and their long-term adaptation, specifically to youth and broadband issues. staying power as a healthy business. Other Technical Assistance. Assist municipal Other research and analysis. Ensure that perti- and non-profit organizations and others to identify, nent and relevant information is kept up to date and build support and move forward projects consistent the CEDS Committee is kept informed of regional eco- with the CEDS. nomic trends. We will identify emerging trends that Administrative. CEDS Update, Oversee CEDS could strategically benefit the region. Committee – holding bi-monthly meetings and building Local Development Organizations. The North the project list as well as developing a foundation for Country has a number of local organizations that could regional initiatives. be more productive with technical assistance from Regional Project Support. Support regional ini- North Country Council. We have identified more than 8 tiatives to increase public and private leveraged invest- entities within the region (some are municipal in nature ments in the region. Maintain and build relationships to other are non-profits). We will develop best practices ensure that resources and opportunities are fully real- and empower these local entities to move economic ized, and the CEDS is implemented. Continue to serve development within their communities with the CEDS on the DRTC, CDFA and other Boards. as an overall regional guiding document. We will assist Project Emphasis Areas. Continue to value the emerging groups such as the Groveton Economic group established downtown infrastructure and build vitality (G.R.E.A.T.) and connect the various groups through the in village areas that are historically the link to successful CEDS Committee and through a website portal that can communities. Continue to promote entrepreneurial ven- be the depository for shared resources. tures through past investments in the Mount Washing- Website. NCC is in the process of revamping its ton Valley Technology Park, the Plymouth Enterprise web site. One of the first sections of the new site is Center, the Dartmouth Regional Technology Center, devoted to the CEDS effort. It will provide a place for WREN and regional industrial parks. Work with partners the CEDS Committee (and subcommittees) to access to discover new uses for past mill sites such as Grovet- CEDS-related information and materials, as well as for on. Assist with broadband initiatives in order to enable the general public to avail itself of all CEDS materials future entrepreneurial opportuni- produced by NCC. The new web pages have been cre- ties. Provide appropriate sup- ated and will be “live” by the end of December 2015. port and assistance to the Bal- NCC will continue to add material and resources in the sams Resort redevelopment coming year to increase the value of this tool for the effort, a project that will eventu- CEDS Committee and general public. ally add over 1,000 jobs to the Outreach and Coordination. The Dartmouth regional economy. Regional Technology Center (DRTC) has received signifi- cant investment from EDA and others and has assisted more than 40 new businesses over the past few years. While EDA funding will not be used to hire an Out- 31
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Vision Statement (Revised by CEDS Committee 11/13/15)
We envision that the rural character of the North Country will be sustained by high quality, natural resource-based clusters of industries including agricultural, energy, tourism, manufacturing, the arts and the other industries that help to maintain
our open spaces & connections to the past. We
will be strengthened, engaged and informed by our educational and cultural opportunities, tele- communication, transportation and entrepreneuri- al infrastructures.
Required under Public Law 105-393, the Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. § 3121, et seq.), a comprehensive amendment of the Public Works and Econom- ic Development Act of 1965, a amended (PWEDA)
32