North Country Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
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 Economic Development Act of 1965, a amended (PWEDA)
Regional Strategy for 2013 - 2017
Submitted To
Economic Development Administration Philadelphia Regional Office
By
North Country Council
107 Glessner Road
Bethlehem, New Hampshire 03574
(603)-444-6303
www.nccouncil.org
The preparation of this document was financed by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the US Department of Commerce, Grant No. 01-83-14243, with matching funds provided by the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development.
Cover Photo Credit: Mark R. Ducharme, WREN, Geoff Sewake
North Country Council 2013 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Twenty-Year Vision Statement
We envision that the North Country will continue to be defined by its working forest and farms, its scenic and natural resources, and its patchwork of villages and community centers. Our rural character will be sustained
by high quality, natural resource-based clusters of industries including agricultural, energy, tourism, manufacturing, the arts and other industries that help to maintain our open spaces and our connections to the past. We will be strengthened by improved educational and cultural opportunities, competitive telecommunication, transportation and entrepreneurial infrastructures, and a broad base of employment offering economic opportunity in
a region fully informed about and engaged by modern technologies, training, and the needs of business.
For the 2013 update a special thanks to Sarah Smith / UNH, Joe Short / Northern Forest Center, Rebecca Brown / ACT, Julie Renaud Evans / Northern Forest Center, Pamela LaFlamme / City of Berlin, Sam Chase / WEDC and Chris Thayer / AMC, as well as all the CEDS Committee Members for their input.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Executive Summary ...... 1 A. Lands Council 10th Anniversary Forum ...... 1 B. Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative ...... 1 C. Coos Economic Action Plan (EAP) ...... 2 II. Organization and Management ...... 5 A. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee ...... 5 B. Coordination with RC&D’s Area Plan ...... 6 C. Staff Support ...... 6 D. Official Recognition ...... 6 III. Historical Assessment of Past Economic Development Efforts ...... 7 A. Economic Development District Designation ...... 7 B. NCC’s Economic Development Program ...... 7 C. Historical Impediments to NCC’s Economic Development Program ...... 8 1. Complex Problems Need Complex Solutions...... 8 2. Inadequate Resources to Address Complex Problems...... 8 3. Revenue Based Fragmentation...... 8 4. Need for Educational Programs...... 8 5. The Public Focus of The Council...... 8 6. The Need for Regional Identity...... 8 7. Inaccessible Data...... 9 8. Inappropriate and Ineffective Economic Development Strategies...... 9 9. Redundant Economic Development Activities...... 9 10. Lack of Broad-Scope Economic Development Strategies...... 9 11. Lack of Private and Public Sector Leadership...... 9 IV. Our Regional Economy ...... 11 A. Introduction ...... 11 B. National Trends in Rural America ...... 11 1. Early 1900’s ...... 11 2. Rural Revival ...... 11 3. Economic Restructuring ...... 11
4. New Economic Challenges and Opportunities ...... 12 5. Future National Projections ...... 13 C. NH Growth Trends ...... 13 1. Mid 1970’s through the Mid 1990’s ...... 13 2. Late 1990’s and 2000’s ...... 13 3. The North Country Economy ...... 14 V. Regional Factors Influencing Economic Development ...... 15 A. Natural and Environment Capital ...... 15 1. Introduction ...... 15 2. Locational Characteristics ...... 15 B. Commerce and Industrial Capital ...... 22 1. Introduction ...... 22 2. Regional Infrastructure ...... 22 3. Community Facilities ...... 34 C. Employment by County ...... 44 1. Overall North Country Region ...... 44 2. Carroll County ...... 44 3. Coos County ...... 44 4. Grafton County...... 44 1. Introduction ...... 49 2. Forest Industry Cluster ...... 49 3. Tourism Industry ...... 55 4. Emerging New Cluster: Agriculture ...... 59 5. Emerging Cluster in Berlin: Corrections Cluster ...... 60 E. Labor Market Characteristics ...... 63 1. Labor Market Areas ...... 63 2. Information Gap on Part-time and Seasonal Employment ...... 63 F. Social and Human Capital ...... 65 1. Introduction ...... 65 2. Population Characteristics ...... 65 3. Education Attainment ...... 76 4. Income and Poverty ...... 78 VI. Evaluation of the Regional Economy – SWOT Analysis ...... 85
A. STRENGTHS ...... 85 B. WEAKNESSES ...... 87 C. OPPORTUNITIES ...... 90 D. THREATS ...... 92 VII. 2013 Goals and Objectives ...... 95 VIII. Implementation Plan ...... 99 A. NCC CEDS Committee ...... 99 B. Staff and Resources of NCC ...... 99 C. NCC Board of Directors ...... 99 D. NCC Development Principles ...... 99 E. EDA Public Works Project Selection Process ...... 100 F. Approach to Analyzing Change and Evaluating Implementation ...... 101 IX. Project Priority and Projects in Planning...... 103
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: EDA Funded Projects 1966 - 2013 ...... 7 Figure 2: Growth Comparisons ...... 13 Figure 3: Driving Distances to Major Urban Areas ...... 16 Figure 4: North Country Conservation Management Status ...... 18 Figure 5: Surface Water ...... 19 Figure 6: North Country Roads ...... 24 Figure 7: Scenic Byways ...... 25 Figure 8: NH Railroads ...... 27 Figure 9: NH Public Transportation ...... 28 Figure 10: North Country Airports ...... 29 Figure 11: North County Wind Power ...... 33 Figure 12: North Country Hospitals...... 35 Figure 13: North Country Schools...... 36 Figure 14: North Country Industrial Parks & Business Incubators ...... 37 Figure 15: Total Occupied Housing Units 2010 ...... 39 Figure 16: Percent of Owner Occupied Housing Units ...... 40 Figure 17: Percent of Vacant Housing Units 2010 ...... 41 Figure 18: Percent of Renter Occupied Housing Units 2010 ...... 42 Figure 19: Percent of Vacant Housing Units for Seasonal, Recreational, or Occasional Use ...... 43 Figure 20: Carroll, Coos, Grafton Combined Employment by Industry ...... 45 Figure 21: Carroll County Employment by Industry ...... 46 Figure 22: Coos County Employment by Industry ...... 47 Figure 23: Grafton County Employment by Industry ...... 48 Figure 24: Comparison of Average Weekly Wages in 2012 ...... 58 Figure 25: North Country Tourist Regions ...... 62 Figure 26: NH Labor Market Areas ...... 64 Figure 27: Total Population ...... 66 Figure 28: Population Change 2000 to 2010 ...... 67 Figure 29: Median Age - Total Population ...... 68 Figure 30: Percent of Population Age 15 - 19 ...... 69
Figure 31: Percent of Population Age 20 - 24 ...... 70 Figure 32: Percent of Population Age 25 - 34 ...... 71 Figure 33: Percent of Population Age 35 - 44 ...... 72 Figure 34: Percent of Population Age 45 - 64 ...... 73 Figure 35: Percent of Population Age 65 and Over ...... 74 Figure 36: Percent of Non-White Population 2010 ...... 75 Figure 37: Educational Attainment ...... 77 Figure 38: Carroll – Coos – Grafton Counties Income By Sources ...... 79 Figure 39: Per Capita Income ...... 80 Figure 40: Median Household Income ...... 81 Figure 41: Median Earnings for Female Full-time Year Round Workers...... 82 Figure 42: Median Earnings for Male Full-time Year Round Workers ...... 83 Figure 43: Percent of Population Below Poverty ...... 84
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 ...... EDA Funded Projects ...... 107 Appendix 2 ...... White Mountain National Forest Town and County Acreage ...... 119 Appendix 3 ...... Water Systems Serving Over 500...... 123 Appendix 4 ...... Wastewater Treatment Facilities ...... 135 Appendix 5 ...... Public Utilities ...... 139 Appendix 6 ...... New Hampshire Hospitals ...... 149 Appendix 7 ...... New Hampshire Schools ...... 153 Appendix 8 ...... New Hampshire Export Trade ...... 163 Appendix 9 ...... Local Area Unemployment Statistics Report ...... 173 Appendix 10 ...... Labor Market Areas ...... 187 Appendix 11 ...... New Hampshire Representatives ...... 193 Appendix 12 ...... New Hampshire State Senate ...... 197 Appendix 13 ...... New Hampshire Tax Rates ...... 205 Appendix 14 ...... Local Internet Service Providers ...... 215 Appendix 15 ...... Land Area Figures for New Hampshire ...... 219
Appendix 16 ...... Reference Maps ...... 227
Figure 37: NH Regional Development Corporations ...... 229 Figure 38: North Country Council Region ...... 230 Figure 39: NH Planning Commissions ...... 231 Figure 40 NH Municipalities Status of Zoning Ordinances 2012 ...... 232 Figure 41 NH Congressional Districts Established 2012 ...... 233 Figure 42 NH Executive Council Districts 2012 ...... 234 Figure 43 NH State Senate Districts Established 2012 ...... 235 Figure 44 NH State House Districts 2012 ...... 236
“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted” Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2013 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) reflects a paradigm shift over the last couple of decades. It is now widely accepted that economic success is about balancing community, environmental and economic assets as mutually dependent. Overall development of the North Country region involves more than creating jobs and improving incomes. It involves building stronger communities, managing assets and recognizing new development opportunities while at the same time protecting our quality of life.
This CEDS framework is particularly relevant in light of the new range of issues that groups both inside and outside the region consider when discussing economic development. Here are a few examples:
A. Lands Council 10th Anniversary Forum The Northern Forest Lands Council (NFLC) was reconstituted by the Northeast State Foresters Association (NEFA) in 2004 to update its recommendations for future development of the “Northern Forest” (stretching from upstate New York to upstate Maine and including northern New Hampshire and Vermont). The updated report recognizes the need to think more broadly about balancing growth and development goals. “While the NFLC identified many factors to strengthen the health of private landownership and the forest products industry, it gave inadequate focus to the economic health for communities (Northern Forest Lands Council 10th Anniversary Forum Final Report, April 25, 2005)”. The three final recommendation areas show the hallmark of the update was a sustainability strategy attempting to balance the Economy, Community, and Environment.
B. Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative This initiative has a 60-member steering committee appointed by the Governors of NH, ME, VT and NY and was managed by the North Country Council and the Northern Forest Center. The final strategy addresses challenges and opportunities to our Economy, Communities and Forested Landscape.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2013
Strategy recommendations support a balanced and sustainable approach to regional development including:
1. Telecommunications 2. Creativity and Entrepreneurship 3. Transportation Infrastructure 4. Regional Marketing 5. Local Purchasing and Ownership 6. Renewable Energy 7. Regional Assets 8. Forested Landscape 9. Federal Investment 10. Regional Coordination and Advocacy
C. Coos Economic Action Plan (EAP) This plan developed by a Coos County only Steering Committee which included business, political, and community leaders from all corners of the county, and was managed by North Country Council and the Coos Economic Development Corporation. The EAP identifies and encourages the most importation actions that will transition Coos County’s economy over the next five years. The 17 priority actions on a variety of sustainability issues include:
1. Creating a Forest Products Development Center. 2. Developing a Fiber Sustainability Report. 3. Reducing energy costs for all industries. 4. Supporting existing Creative Businesses with high speed internet and “North Sourcing.” 5. Developing and supporting creative spaces and clusters. 6. Approving and funding county-wide marketing plan for Creative Businesses. 7. Improving workforce development and growth of local energy committees. 8. Supporting the development and growth of local energy committees. 9. Developing an alternative energy technology curriculum at WMCC. 10. Creating a model for small scale community heat and power production. 11. Conducting an energy audit for Coos County. 12. Developing and funding more promotion.
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13. Protecting the region’s natural and cultural resources. 14. Increase, improve, and retain services and attractions used by visitors and residents. 15. Increase customer service. 16. Develop pipeline program for students and residents in health care. 17. Educate providers on new models of care delivery.
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II. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
A. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee North Country Council’s (NCC) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee is constituted of 30 individuals representing a variety of interests including community, business, state, nonprofit, and education interests. The CEDS Committee meets bi-monthly. The Committee has had a direct and continuous role in the formation of the 2013 CEDS. In particular, the Committee has adopted a vision, goals, discussed regional data maps, conducted a regional SWOT analysis, and approved the final document; the CEDS Committee will now have the primary role of implementing the CEDS and evaluating the results. A list of the Committee members with their affiliations is listed below.
CEDS STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
NAME AFFILIATION Anderson, Laurel Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce Andreas, William North Country Council Board of Directors Amsden, Ben Center for Rural Partnerships, PSU Bogue, Marilyn Small Business Administration Brown, Rebecca Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust Bresnihan, Brian Office of Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster Brigham, Alan Economic Development Administration, ME, NH Chase, Sam Economic Development Corporation, Whitefield Claflin, Mike Affordable Housing, Education & Development Cooper, Marilinne Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network Coppleman, Glenn Community Development Finance Authority Demark, Rick Resource Conservation and Development White Mountains Community College, Workforce Development Dyer, John & Community Education Center Freeman, Jon Northern Community Investment Corporation Gilman, Michael NH Employment Security Henderson, Chuck Office of Senator Jeanne Shaheen Laflamme, Pam City of Berlin Lamontagne, Benoit Department of Resources and Economic Development MacPherson, Gregg USDA Rural Development McLeod, Martha Health Industry Merner, Troy Groveton Regional Economic Action Team Merrow, Becky Town Manager, Colebrook NH Nelson, Diana NH Employment Security
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Powell, Peter Powell Real Estate Reed, Len Len Reed & Company Scala, Michael Office of Senator Kelly Ayotte Scarano, Mark Grafton County Economic Development Council Selchen, Frumie Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire Shyne, Kevin North Country Tech Prep Regional Thayer, Chris Appalachian Mountain Club
B. Coordination with RC&D’s Area Plan NCC is coordinating the update of the CEDS document with the North Country Resource Conservation and Development District’s (RC&D’s) Area Plan. We have integrated our goals, SWOT analyses, and implementation plans in attempt to better coordinate our strategies. We shared survey information and co-sponsored community listening sessions in the spring of 2009.
C. Staff Support NCC’s Economic Development Coordinator Patricia Garvin has taken primary responsibility for updating the CEDS, forming and eliciting the involvement of the CEDS Committee and seeking input from regional leaders. Additional assistance has been provided by James Steele for mapping and Michelle Moren- Grey in researching and writing parts of the strategy.
D. Official Recognition NCC’s 2013 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy was presented to and approved by the CEDS Committee and the NCC Board of Directors Meeting on January 8, 2014.
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III. HISTORICAL ASSESSMENT OF PAST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
A. Economic Development District Designation In 1975, the NCC region was designated as a separate Economic Development District (EDD) from northern Vermont by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA). With this designation came the potential to access increased amounts of federal development funds. However, in order to be eligible for this funding, the district was required to complete and annually update a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the region among other responsibilities.
B. NCC’s Economic Development Program North Country Council, northern NH’s regional planning commission, stepped in to carry out this role and has continued to maintain the region’s eligibility for EDA funding ever since. From 1966 to the end of 2013, the northern NH region has received over $50 million from EDA and leveraged another $47.5 million in nonfederal match for a total investment of over $94.5 million in EDA projects alone, all of which was facilitated and made possible by NCC since 1975 and by a Joint NH-VT Commission prior to 1975. The graph below shows a breakdown of EDA Funded projects. A complete list of projects by town can be found in Appendix 1.
EDA Funded Projects 1966 - 2013
$16,000,000 $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $0 MILAN LISBON BERLIN LINCOLN JACKSON CONWAY GORHAM REGIONAL TRI-TOWN LITTLETON HAVERHILL PLYMOUTH LANCASTER STRATFORD FRANCONIA WHITEFIELD BETHLEHEM COLEBROOK WATERVILLE WOODSTOCK NORTH CONWAY BERLIN REGIONAL NORTHUMBERLAND W. STEWARTSTOWNW. SARGENT'S PURCHASE
Figure 1: EDA Funded Projects 1966 - 2013
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It is not enough to consider the economic impact of the millions of dollars of grants NCC writes, provides technical assistance on and administrates each year, the community and regional discussions and plans NCC facilitates, or the research and information NCC provides that helps guide public and private sector investment, but together these actions and many more like them make a profound impact on the region’s business climate and development patterns.
C. Historical Impediments to NCC’s Economic Development Program NCC and its partners are not always successful in accomplishing its goals or in explaining its contributions to the region. NCC had identified a number of still unresolved issues that limit the region’s progress toward agreed upon goals. These include:
1. Complex Problems Need Complex Solutions. Some of our past approaches and projects have been simple efforts to deal with complex community and regional economic and cultural ecosystems. 2. Inadequate Resources to Address Complex Problems. The Council has lacked adequate financial, human or organizational resources to address these complex problems. 3. Revenue Based Fragmentation. The revenue and political structure of New Hampshire government fragment our municipal members and many of the projects we work on. 4. Need for Educational Programs. Our constituents are not always well informed on the issues the region is facing and what can be done about them. Our energy in the past was primarily focused on the provision of technical assistance instead of building local capacity. 5. The Public Focus of The Council. Much of our attention has been focused on the public sector. While public sector support is at the heart of the Council we need to seek out ways to involve the private sector, especially in economic development. 6. The Need for Regional Identity. The North Country has an evolving identity. Efforts such as NH Grand and Ride the Wilds address the tourism identity but more can be done to elevate the North Country politically and economically.
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7. Inaccessible Data. Although the Council has some data it has not been formatted to our region and we have been unable to put the data to use in efforts to develop the region’s economy. 8. Inappropriate and Ineffective Economic Development Strategies. Much of the economic development activity in the region consists of ideas that have been borrowed from other places or are knee jerk reactions to individual events. We need to seek local solutions to define community needs. Less organizational fragmentation and more comprehensive strategies are needed. Efforts underway to address this include the state and regional Granite State Futures project and NCC’s focus on our sub- regions. 9. Redundant Economic Development Activities. Duplication of economic development activities and services is common. For example similar technical assistance support is offered by at least six other resource agencies and lending programs by at least 3 other organizations. 10. Lack of Broad-Scope Economic Development Strategies. We have focused much of our energy on community-based physical projects; there is a need to address larger regional policy, regulatory and economic restructuring challenges. 11. Lack of Private and Public Sector Leadership. The Council needs to continue the good work we have done in the past, but we need to do more. We need to expand our range of interests/programs and we need to involve the private sector in the process.
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IV. OUR REGIONAL ECONOMY
A. Introduction It is now and 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 the condition of New Hampshire’s and New England’s economies and these are inextricably linked to the national and global economies.
B. National Trends in Rural America 1. Early 1900’s Although the United States is a highly industrialized county, over 80% of the nation’s landmass is considered to be rural. Within this large expanse of rural territories are numerous rural economies that provide employment, economic opportunity, and housing for 25% of the nation’s population. For 50 years prior to the 1970’s, these areas experienced little growth, primarily due to employment declines in the farming and mining industries. Times were not easy in rural areas with great numbers of dislocated workers and double-digit poverty rates. In many areas, basic infrastructure, including electricity and running water, were considered luxuries.
2. Rural Revival Starting in the early 1970’s, growth exploded in rural America in large part because of cheap fuel prices, renewed mining activity and a general sense of discontent with the urban way of life. Back-to-the-landers flooded into rural America searching for a better way of life. In many instances, rural areas were taken off guard lacking the necessary infrastructure to most benefit or even accommodate new growth. The most concerned and organized municipalities scrambled to enact growth controls to protect against what many people considered to be and assault on their communities.
3. Economic Restructuring In the early 1980’s, the growth trend ebbed with some of the nation’s 2,300 rural counties losing population. The main reasons for this decline were the decade’s recessions and increased foreign industrial competition. Again, rural economies suffered large-scale labor force dislocations as mature industries such as textiles and steel became more mechanized and dependent on low-wage labor in developing countries. Though, some rural communities with high amenities began growing with in-flux of baby boom retirees. In the late 1980’s into the 1990’s, there was a revival of rural population growth. In fact from 1990-1994, over half of
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the population growth in the nation’s rural areas was due to in-migration. So far in the 2000’s, population and housing has again begun to increase in rural areas, yet many rural economies have yet to recover or adequately address the impact of the industrial restructuring that started over two decades ago. The period from the 1970’s to the 1990’s has been very dynamic and sometimes painful for rural industries and communities. During this time, services have replaced manufacturing as the largest economic sector of the national economy.
4. New Economic Challenges and Opportunities The transition from manufacturing growth to service sector growth has been particularly difficult for rural areas that have large concentrations of industrial employment. Populations with skills in manufacturing are not easily transferable into service sector employment. In addition, many rural areas lack the physical and communication infrastructure and cultural resources to attract high quality service-based employment. Many times, the service employment that is settled for is a poor economic substitute for its manufacturing precursor.
Population estimates indicate that during the last two decades the rural areas experiencing the highest levels of growth were communities with strong retirement and recreation industries. The communities experiencing the least growth were still based in manufacturing, mining and farming. The recreation and retirement industries, while growing rapidly, do not create many jobs that offer the pay and benefits that are routinely expected from the manufacturing sector. Therefore, many times the best or only opportunity for rural workers is to re-train in an entirely new industry only to receive a lower wage.
To underscore the similar types of economic distress and demographic changes that rural regions throughout the nation have experienced, USDA Economic Research Service has suggested pursuing the following development guidelines throughout rural America. These guidelines are:
a) Improve connection between rural and urban areas by improving infrastructure and the ability to use it. This includes better telecommunications and information systems, which provide rural communities better access to information, markets and services such as business and technical, medical care services, and educational opportunities; b) Encourage and assist rural firms to target specialized niche markets. These markets yield higher returns and face less competition than traditional, standardized markets;
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c) Promote collaboration and public / private and government / nonprofit partnerships to reduce costs through economies of scale; and d) Improve competitiveness of rural firms by enhancing core skills of management and labor. While these USDA Rural Development Guidelines are sound strategies, it is clear that rural areas in search of greater economic opportunity will have to define what each of these guidelines means in the context of their region.
5. Future National Projections The answer to what the future holds for our rural regions is as varied as the regions themselves, but we can discuss some of the employment trends that will help to determine what opportunities are available. In the years to come, the composition of our labor force and industrial employment will change dramatically. The labor force will become older as the number of workers aged 45 to 54 and 55 and over increase more than any other category, while those workers aged 25 to 34 will decline.
C. NH Growth Trends 1. Mid 1970’s through the Mid 1990’s The State of New Hampshire experienced a higher level of growth outpacing the rest of New England and much of the rest of the country between 1975 and 1995. The table below takes a comparative look at NH’s economic growth during that time period.
EMPLOYMENT STATE GSP PCI POP TOTAL MFG SERVICE TRADE US 43% 40% 18% 34% 1% 58% 38% NE 47% 50% 9% 26% -24% 54% 32% NH 62% 66% 28% 46% 17% 63% 54% MA 45% 51% 5% 24% -30% 52% 26% CA 48% 25% 32% 37% 11% 58% 39% Source: Regional Financial Associates, NEEP. Found in Gittel et al, p.3 Figure 2: Growth Comparisons 2. Late 1990’s and 2000’s This strong period of growth lasted until the late 1990’s when it was brought to an end by the sharp market declines in the values of technology companies, or the “tech bubble” collapse as it is often referred to. This recession hit New England harder than the rest of United States and it took the region longer to recover (NEEP).
Early 2000’s employment decline also concentrated in establishments with employment of 100-999. Smaller establishments (less than 100 employees) appeared to be relatively resilient as a group (NEEP).
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3. The North Country Economy Grafton County has developed as a service dependent county with a strong emphasis on technology and the health care industry. Anchored by Dartmouth College, the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and the Dartmouth Regional Technology Center, Grafton County has a large cluster of health related research and service industries. Because of its ability to take part in the new economy, Grafton County is the most prosperous county in NH’s North Country and one of the most prosperous counties in the 4-state northern forest region. The county’s most challenging issues relate to growth management including affordable housing and workforce availability.
Carroll County is a recreation-dependent county that has traditionally depended on tourism. Carroll County most effectively enjoys the image of the 800,000 acre White Mountain National Forest largely 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 workforce 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 Valley Economic Council, have begun showing the way on how the low-paying tourism industry can leverage greater forms of economic development by attracting entrepreneurs and technology companies based on quality of life considerations.
Coos County, the region’s most northern area bordering Canada, had been dependent on manufacturing, especially 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 indicators in 2013 show the beginning of a turnaround.
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V. REGIONAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A. Natural and Environment Capital 1. Introduction Of the factors that most influence the North Country economy, the most fundamental are the region’s natural resources and environmental capital. It is the mountains, rivers, and soils that ultimately determine how communities develop and where growth occurs. This is true of the region’s major developed areas that are located along our major rivers and / or in the lush productive valleys.
In rural areas and especially here in the rugged North Country, the natural environment can act as a constraint to overall growth and commerce, but at the same time these are the resources that offer the most opportunity within the region. A cursory look at the region’s industrial mix shows a heavy reliance on the area’s individual raw materials including forest and water resources, but even greater dependence on the overall environment. The region’s overall environment affords a quality of life which is both coveted by the residents and sought after by over 6 million tourists visiting the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) alone. To the extent we allow our natural environment to deteriorate from overuse or neglect, we risk losing or degrading what is priceless about our region.
2. Locational Characteristics a) Location in State, New England, Nation and World The North County of New Hampshire is a triangular region that encompasses the northern third of the State. Our shortest border to the north is with Canada and we border northern Vermont to the west, western Maine to the east and New Hampshire’s Lakes Region to the south. In 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 Appalachian Trail, which travels from northern Maine to Georgia, also passes through the heart of our region. While NH does have a shoreline on the Eastern Seaboard the North Country does not, although the drive to the ocean from most locations in the region is under a couple of hours (see figure 3 on page 16).
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Figure 3: Driving Distances to Major Urban Areas
b) Conservation Lands The North Country contains large tracts of federal, state, and privately held conservation lands (see figure 4 on page 18). These lands provide numerous opportunities for the outdoor recreation and tourism industries, flora and fauna habitat, and the natural assimilation of pollutants contributing to a high quality natural environment. The White Mountain National Forest encompasses nearly a third of the region with over 700,000 acres of wilderness and multi-use lands (adjacent 100,000 acres of WMNF in Maine).
Over half the landmass in several municipalities and unincorporated locations is located in the National Forest (see Appendix 2). In addition, there are 45 recreational parks, wayside areas and forests under State auspices in the North Country which contain over 60,000 acres. Some of these major conservation areas include the Nash Stream State Forest, Crawford and Franconia Notch State Parks, Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, the Lake Umbagog Conservation Area and 10,000 acres held in trust by Dartmouth College.
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c. Geological Features The most predominant geological feature in the North Country is the White Mountains, which are like a spine crossing through the region. There are 48 peaks that reach over 4,000 feet in elevation, which is far more than in the Green Mountains of Vermont or even the mountains in the large State of Maine. The Presidential Range, a section of the White Mountains with the highest altitude, includes Mount Washington, which is nearly a mile high and holds the record for the fastest reported wind speeds in the world. Numerous other smaller mountain ranges crisscross the region creating geography replete with peaks, valleys, mountain passes, rivers and streams.
The North Country is home to the headwaters of three relatively large New England waterways (see figure 5 on page 19). The Connecticut River creates a natural border between New Hampshire and Vermont from its confluence high in the Connecticut Lakes of Coos County and travels the length of New England to Long Island Sound. The Androscoggin River, site of paper mill activity in several locations, also originates in Coos County from Lake Umbagog on the New Hampshire - Maine border and flows southeast entering Maine south of Berlin, New Hampshire. The Saco River begins at Saco Lake near the southern end of the Presidential Range and flows through what is known as the Mount Washington Valley, entering Maine through East Conway, New Hampshire.
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Figure 4: North Country Conservation Management Status
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Figure 5: Surface Water
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3. Some Major Environmental Challenges and Opportunities
The following environmental threats have been identified by Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest USFS (2013). Acid rain continues to be a major problem despite improvements stemming from the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments which resulted in the decline of sulfur dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Indeed, controls on nitrogen oxides and ammonia – key components of acid rain – were not fully addressed by the sweeping environmental regulations that began to take effect in the mid 1990’s. Nitric acid will soon replace sulfuric acid as the dominant pollutant affecting forest ecosystems. If the trends continue, certain tree species, including the sugar maple as the most dramatic example, will inevitably decline as calcium and other key elements are leached from the soils by acid rain. And waterways, including reservoirs that serve our large urban populations with drinking water, will become increasingly polluted from atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and as the forest’s nitrogen cycle is distributed.
Mercury pollution falling from the sky harms both humans and wildlife. While inputs of lead, another heavy metal that can cause serious environmental problems, have been reduced through legislation to remove it from gasoline, mercury from coal-burning power plants enters ecosystems and bio accumulates in fish, loons, mink, otters, bald eagles, and other wildlife high in the aquatic food chain. Mercury concentrations 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 perimeter of the Northern Forest: the emerald ash borer, a beetle which has destroyed six million ash trees in Michigan; the hemlock wooly adelgid, 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 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 increased salting of roads in winter months. On a stretch of Interstate 93 near Hubbard Brook
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Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, up to one ton of salt is deposited per road mile per day during the winter. The effects of road salting can be observed in increased chloride concentrations throughout watersheds, with harmful effects to plant and wildlife populations and water quality.
Fragmentation of the landscape results in a kind of “leapfrogging degradation” across the Northern Forest. Unsuitable timber harvesting practices such as extensive and uncontrolled clear cutting can result in acidification of soils, loss of key soil nutrients, and pollutant loading of streams. Sprawl of housing and commercial establishments destroys habitat and important travel corridors for wildlife. And unwitting damage to small headwater streams can wreak biogeochemical havoc to downstream water quality, and declines in desirable species of wildlife.
Climate change is the most pervasive of all human-induced disturbances to the Northern Forest, with a growing list of documented effects that includes increasing frequency of ice storms and other severe weather events including severe flooding; soil freezing caused by lack of insulating snow over, which affects the biogeochemistry of soils; substantially reduced ice cover on ponds and lakes ( at Mirror Lake in New Hampshire, there are some 20 fewer days of ice cover than in the mid-1960’s); a shifting home territories for plant, tree, insect, bird, and mammal species, with some species unable to adapt to the rapid change.”
In addition, other regional recognized environmental threats include: Fragmentation of Large Individual and Private Tracts of Forest Land Shifts of land from timber products to second-home development and speculation. Although land transfer from timber company to timber company has been a historical pattern, these recent transfers signify a shift in land use that has long-term negative implications for our economy.
River Corridor Protection Growing pressures on the state's river system led to the establishment of a regulatory rivers management program. The program involves a planning process, which is followed by categorical designation of river segments. Depending on the designation of the segment, uses are restricted. The following rivers in the North Country are impacted: Androscoggin, Ammonoosuc, Swift, Diamond, Saco, Israel, Connecticut, Pemigewasset, and Baker.
Maintenance of the Environmental Integrity of the White Mountain National Forest Simultaneous to Marketing It as a Recreation - Tourism Destination The National Forest is an economic development generator for the region's tourism and wood products industries, as well as for local
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economies in the villages that surround it. The challenge is to use it without spoiling it.
Preservation of Rural Farm and Forest Land As farming and small-scale forestry become less and less profitable there is a need to protect the land from abandonment and subdivision.
Protection of Unprotected Lakes, Ponds, and Wetlands With growing interest in lakefront development, pressures on the more rural, less accessible lakes have been growing.
Solid Waste As is the case everywhere else, management of solid waste is a growing concern in the region. Finding sites to manage the waste and protect groundwater and the public health are major concerns.
Maintenance of Productive Forests Multiple economic and public policy pressures encourage forestland owners to extract short-term financial gain from their land. The resulting stands often do not yield the highest quality or value timber.
B. Commerce and Industrial Capital 1. Introduction Commerce and industrial capital are what most people think of when they consider economic development. The labor force, industries, infrastructure, and financial resources are the bare bones of what makes an economy work.
2. Regional Infrastructure a) Roads Moving through the North Country is often a challenge with the severe weather, mountain passes and major transportation routes which pass directly through our village areas, but what our transportation systems lack in efficiency is countered by their scenic and aesthetic beauty.
Transportation linkages within and outside the region are the lifelines of the North Country economy. The region’s major transportation systems including the road and railway networks and airports provide the means of exporting products that are produced in the region and importing the important tourism trade.
Five major highways run through the North Country. Running east to west are U.S. Route 2 and 302. Running north to south are U.S. 3 and NH Route 16. Also running north to south through the heart of the
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Council’s planning region is Interstate 93. These routes serve as the primary thoroughfares for truck transport and experience related impacts such as road surface wear; high usage volumes and noise generation (see figure 6 on page 24). b) Scenic Byways System The North Country Regional Scenic Byway system consists of five distinct and unique loops plus 8 spurs within the loops (see figure 7 on page 25). The White Mountains Trail, a nationally designated scenic byway encompasses two US highways, two State Highways and one Interstate Parkway. The Byway covers 123 miles and traverses ten towns, and two unincorporated places. “The White Mountains Trail is important for its varying topography, for the mountain and river views it offers, for the variety of vegetation areas from ledge to wetland and woodland, and the 18th and 19th century buildings and structures along it. Further, it is in large part uninterrupted by commercial signs, standardized buildings, clear cut lots, over scaled structures, or any of the many other ways in which rural corridors are scenically spoiled. In essence, much of the corridor is an excellent example of the typical New England rural area unspoiled by over development”. (National Scenic Byway Designation, 1997)
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Figure 6: North Country Roads
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Figure 7: Scenic Byways
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c) Rail System Rail linkage in the North Country exists in sections involving several railroads (see figure 8 on page 27). These carriers include the Boston and Maine, St. Lawrence and Atlantic, Maine Central, New Hampshire and Vermont and Claremont Concord Railroads, which provide freight terminus connections to Vermont and Maine. In addition, St. Lawrence and Atlantic, New Hampshire and Vermont Railroad, Maine Central and Central Vermont Railroads also play part in the freight routes of the North Country.
d) Regional Transit Systems Transit service for the general public is limited in Northern New Hampshire (see figure 9 on page 28). However there are public transit routes between Berlin to Gorham; between Littleton, Lancaster, and Whitefield; and a system that operates in a number of towns in the Carroll Country Region. A feasibility study was developed in 2010 to look at the potential of developing a transit system in the 19-town Plymouth area. Steps are being taken to implement sections of the plan, including using transit funds to reimburse volunteer drivers for providing clients with trips to medical appointments, shopping, etc. Concord Coach Lines out of southern New Hampshire provides 2 routes in the NCC Region; the Littleton-Plymouth-Tilton route and the Berlin-Conway-New Hampton route. Both of these lines have stops in Concord, Boston, South Station and Logan Airport and transfers can be made from Concord to Manchester 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 North Conway and the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln.
e) Regional Airports Air transportation in the North Country is also limited to light commercial and private airplanes (see figure 10 on page 29). However, in recent year there has been a concerted effort to upgrade the facilities of the various North Country municipal or regional airports including Berlin Regional Airport in Milan and the Mount Washington Regional Airport in Whitefield. There have been substantial investments in the Mount Washington Regional Airport over the last couple of years.
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Figure 8: NH Railroads
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Figure 9: NH Public Transportation
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Figure 10: North Country Airports
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f) Communications Systems Advanced telecommunications can help attract the industries needed to help diversify the regional economy. The major growth industries in and outside the region depend on advanced telecommunications. The North Country has made tremendous progress in updating the broadband communications infrastructure. According to the NH Broadband Mapping & Planning Program (Nov., 2013) 99.7% of the population of the North Country, and 98.9% of the housing units, have access to broadband services.
The North Country has access to a full range of broadband modes, although all modes are not yet available in all areas. Fairpoint Communications provides most of DSL coverage. Fairpoint is continuing to expand services, specifically in 7 communities: Albany, Conway, Dalton, Landaff, Milan, Pittsburg, and Stewartstown, through an investment of approximately $848,000 from the FCC’s Connect America Fund Phase I Program. Cable broadband is primarily provided by Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Of all internet users, 87% utilize cable internet, 97% have access to DSL and 95% have access to cellular (fixed wireless or mobile). There is virtually no access to fiber networks.
The Wireless LINC project led by NCIC is designed to provide affordable broadband service in unserved regions of the North Country and northeastern Vermont without being a competitor to the for profit provider services. Wireless LINC has coverage from North Stratford NH and Brunswick VT in the north to Landaff NH in the south, and from Barnett VT in the west to Jefferson NH in the east.
g) Water Systems In northern New Hampshire, many water systems are not in adequate repair due to age or lack of maintenance, nor are they at sufficient capacity levels to serve the entire town due to burgeoning residential growth. Twenty-eight towns have some type of water system which serves the municipality, a figure slightly more than half of the 51 municipalities in the region, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (see Appendix 3). The remaining towns do not have municipal water systems in place and are dependent upon artesian and dug wells and surface water sources.
Many municipal water systems serve only portions of a town or may be designated as serving the municipality while actually servicing only state or county institutions within town boundaries. Examples of such
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systems are the Glencliff Home for the Elderly and private developments such as The Mount Washington Resort including Bretton Woods Ski Area and the Omni Mount Washington Hotel. These systems are usually confined to the development area and may or may not lend water services to the municipality.
Several towns such as Haverhill, Northumberland, Carroll and Stewartstown have more than one municipal system operating. In Lincoln, Loon Mountain Recreation Corporation supplies its own water plus allows the municipality to draw from its impoundment pond.
The identification of these many variables point out the many levels of non-cohesion most northern New Hampshire towns have in their municipal infrastructures and the fact that many towns need infrastructure upgrading to support increases in industry and development. NCC regularly helps communities to upgrade their systems in a number of ways starting with capital improvement plans, applying for grant funds, and helping to manage implementation projects.
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 (see Appendix 4). County or state institutional systems in the Council area include the Carroll County Home, Franconia Notch State Park and the Glencliff Home for the Elderly. Private institutions with facilities include Bretton Woods, Lost River Reservation in Woodstock and The Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods.
i) Electrical Systems The use of biomass energy for electrical power production has expanded in the region. Joining existing sites in Bethlehem and Whitefield, the Burgess BioPower plant, a 75 megawatt facility, will come on line by the end of 2013.
Wind energy potential is enormous, especially in Coos County (see figure 11 page 33). Three sites have come on-line, including Jericho Mtn (3 MW), Groton Wind Farm (48 MW), and Granite Reliable (99MW). The Mt. View Grand has its own wind turbine and the Balsams Grand Hotel has proposed a 27 MW project. A number of other sites in the region have been proposed, mostly in the Plymouth to Rumney area.
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Seven hydro-electric facilities are spread throughout the region, including Berlin, Canaan, Gorham, Lost Nation, Dummer, Errol and Moore Dam/Comerford, with a combined output of over 400 MW.
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Figure 11: North County Wind Power
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3. Community Facilities a) Hospitals The North Country has seven major hospitals, located in each of the region’s growth centers. The number of beds range from 16 in Colebrook to 25 in Berlin (see Appendix 6). Figure 12 on page 35 shows the location of hospitals.
b) Schools Most communities in the region have their own elementary schools but high schools are more regionally based. Appendix 7 has a list of schools located in the three counties of Northern NH. Figure 13 on page 36 shows the location of schools.
c) Industrial and Business Parks There are currently eleven Industrial/Business Parks in the region, located in Colebrook, Conway, Haverhill, Lancaster, Lebanon (2 sites), Littleton, Lincoln, Maynesboro, Plymouth and Whitefield. Several of these sites were constructed with EDA assistance. Some sites may need further infrastructure improvements and one, Technology Village in Conway is currently under expansion. Figure 14 on page 37 shows the location of the parks in relation to other community facilities.
An emerging site, the former Groveton Mill in Northumberland, is being cleaned-up in anticipation of development.
d) Business Incubators There are three business incubators in the region, including Technology Village in Conway, the Dartmouth Regional Technology Center in Centerra Park in Lebanon, and the Enterprise Center at Plymouth. A virtual business incubator is located at the White Mountains Community College in Berlin.
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Figure 12: North Country Hospitals
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Figure 13: North Country Schools
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Figure 14: North Country Industrial Parks & Business Incubators
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d) Housing The North County has a higher percentage of vacant housing compared to state as a whole. This is primarily a function of the higher percentage of seasonal, recreational or occasional use homes but also reflects the decline in the populations of some areas due to the loss of major employers like the paper industry over the past decade.
Carroll County has the highest percent of vacant housing (47%) but nearly half of these are for seasonal and recreational use. By contrast, in Coos and Grafton Counties, of all the vacant housing units (33% and 30% respectively) only one quarter are for seasonal or recreational use.
The percentage of rental housing units in Coos and Grafton Counties are similar to the state as a whole, at approximately 30%, while Carroll County has a much lower percentage of occupied rental units at nearly 21%. This low availability of rental housing in a county with a high number of lower-paying retail, tourism and recreational industry jobs is an area of concern.
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Figure 15: Total Occupied Housing Units 2010
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Figure 16: Percent of Owner Occupied Housing Units
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Figure 17: Percent of Vacant Housing Units 2010
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Figure 18: Percent of Renter Occupied Housing Units 2010
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Figure 19: Percent of Vacant Housing Units for Seasonal, Recreational, or Occasional Use
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C. Employment by County 1. Overall North Country Region Four employment sectors provide over three quarters of the jobs in the North County. The largest 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 divided evenly between retail trade and the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food service jobs. Manufacturing, the traditional source of high wage jobs with benefits, declined from 14% in 2000 to its current 8.9%. (Census data)
The status of industry clusters, including new emerging clusters, which incorporate many of these jobs are more fully described in the industrial cluster sector of this report.
2. Carroll County Carroll County, including the Mt. Washington Valley, traditionally known for its recreation and retail industries, also reflects the regional emphasis on education and healthcare services. 23% of the workforce is employed in this sector. The retail sector represents 15%, as does the tourism related arts/recreation/accommodation/food service sector. Manufacturing is the lowest in Carroll County, at 7% of the workforce, a decline of 2% from ten years ago.
3. Coos County Over half of the jobs in Coos County are reflected in the education, healthcare, retail and tourism-related sectors, consistent with the overall North County region. Coos County still has manufacturing jobs, employing 9.5% of the workforce, but that is a significant reduction from 23% ten years ago.
4. Grafton County Grafton County has the highest percentage of jobs in the education and healthcare services, at nearly 33% of the workforce. Grafton also has the lowest percentage in the region of jobs in retail (11%) and arts/recreation/accommodation/food service (11.9%). Grafton County has 9.7% of its workforce in manufacturing, a decline from 14% ten years ago.
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Carroll – Coos – Grafton Combined Employment By Industry
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities
Information
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services Educational services, and health care and social assistance
1.5%
3.7% 7.9% 4.1% 8.9%
13.3%
22.0%
28.3%
13.1%
3.1% 8.7% 3.8% Source: US Census 1.6% DP03 2010-2012 ACS
Figure 20: Carroll, Coos, Grafton Combined Employment by Industry
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Carroll County Employment by Industry
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities
Information
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services
Educational services, and health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services
Other services, except public administration
Public administration 15.4%
5.0%
2.8% 0.7%
9.4% 23.1%
7.0%
1.8%
10.2% 15.4%
4.4% 3.0% 1.8% Source: US Census DP03 2010-2012 ACS
Figure 21: Carroll County Employment by Industry
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Coos County Employment by Industry
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities
Information
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services
Educational services, and health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services
Other services, except public administration
Public administration 5.4% 3.0% 7.4% 5.0%
9.5%
14.1%
2.3%
15.0%
23.4%
3.9%
3.4% 6.8% 0.7% Source: US Census DP03 2010-2012 ACS
Figure 22: Coos County Employment by Industry
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Grafton County Employment by Industry
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities
Information
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services
Educational services, and health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services
Other services, except public administration
Public administration 3% 1% 3% 7%
12% 10%
2%
11%
3% 33% 2% 4%
9%
Source: US Census DP03 2010-2012 ACS Figure 23: Grafton County Employment by Industry
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D. Industrial Clusters
1. Introduction An industrial cluster is defined as a group of interrelated, geographically centered industries and their key suppliers. In recent years, economic development practitioners have focused on industrial clusters as the most important units of economic activity. Clusters facilitate business growth by providing a supporting network of resources and services. When a number of complementary businesses locate in the same general region they reap the advantages of a skilled pool of knowledge, skills, and services that elevate competitiveness.
In the North Country, there are at least two major clusters that revolve around the forest and the tourism industries. Sub-sectors of the forest and tourism industries show high regional employment concentration. A special report follows on each of these industries to better understand the linkages between these industries and the overall economy and also to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by each. 2. Forest Industry Cluster a) Background Introduction New Hampshire is 84% forested, and the northern three counties have an even greater forest cover: Coos 91%, Carroll 89%, and Grafton 90% respectively. Forests have always been a major component of the economy of New Hampshire, particularly the Northern three counties. The pulp and paper industry dominated both the economy and landownership of Northern New Hampshire for many decades. More recently, divestiture of pulp and paper companies from landownership has given way to an increase in non-industrial private ownership by both timber management investment 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 objective for owning land has begun to slowly change.
Forests are generally managed for multiple uses, forest products, wildlife habitat, water quality, tourism, recreation, and any number of other values. What was once a landscape dominated by one objective—timber—has now given way to landowners that consider multiple uses of their land. This shift has created more and diverse opportunities for community and economic development. While the dominant ownership of large tracts of land in Northern NH remains timber management organizations, the gradual shift to other types of ownership will influence the availability of wood for the market.
Maintaining a balance between the use of the forest for both products and energy with the protection of this natural resource and the rural character it provides will continue to be both the opportunity and the challenge for the future.
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b) Challenges facing the forest industry in Northern NH The most obvious and recent challenge for Northern NH’s economy has been the loss of the pulp industry, specifically the two mills in Berlin and Groveton, as well as the loss of two major secondary wood manufacturing firms (furniture making) in Beecher Falls, VT (just over the border) and Whitefield. This has displaced hundreds of workers who enjoyed well paying, full-time and full benefited jobs.
The reasons for business closures were complex, due mostly to globalization and more recently, the economy. The decisions to close some of the facilities was not made locally but rather in corporate offices as part of a greater business strategy. These decisions caused local economic upheaval, loss of jobs and loss of tax revenue. However, the wood supply remained stable and those producing it continued to find new markets, albeit, often at greater distances. Increased volumes of pulpwood now move to Maine and Quebec and sawlogs also enjoy competitive markets both in the region (Canada is considered part of the region) and overseas. The wood flow both into and out of the state is not uncommon and has been a signature of the forest industry in this region for decades. Markets for the raw material (logs and pulpwood) are expected to remain robust as the US economy recovers. The recovery or reinvigoration of the secondary wood processing industry, facilities such as furniture or other manufactured wood products, is questionable, at least at the scale that it once enjoyed. Paper making from pulp shipped into the state has fortunately enjoyed a resurgence, with new investment in the paper mill in Gorham.
The land base that has been previously described has also formed the basis for new and energized recreation and tourism opportunities. The Jericho ATV Park in Berlin and the expanded public ownership around Lake Umbagog Wildlife Refuge in Errol are examples of the shift to more tourism-based activities on forest land. The people of Northern New Hampshire have shown resilience in adapting to these new jobs, although some at much lower wages, in the tourism and recreation industries as well as the law enforcement opportunities presented by the construction of two new prisons in Berlin. c) The Forest Industry in the North Country of New Hampshire 1. Logging and Transportation Infrastructure Logging and trucking are the underpinning of the forest products industry. Owners of these companies must balance the cost of production (people, debt, fuel, insurance, etc.) with the market rates for producing the wood (service contract) or the price of the wood at the mill (timber purchaser). As costs continue to increase and the market prices for the products remain vulnerable to global forces, the logger and truckers often get squeezed. Logging has shifted to more mechanized methods which has increased safety and
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production but has decreased the number of people to who do the work. The increased mechanization has also driven the cost of entering the logging business up so significantly that today it is difficult for young entrepreneurs to amass the necessary capital. Logging is a precarious business which is also subject to weather conditions. Recently, the Northeast has experienced more severe and unpredictable weather, along with shorter winter production seasons, which translates to fewer days worked. Truckers are also subject to similar challenges but some find work at least temporarily in other industries. Despite the challenges the logging and trucking industry remain strong throughout the North Country.
2. Pulpwood Pulpwood continues to be a dominant product harvested in the North Country’s forests. Some large landowners hold long-term fiber contracts with pulp mills ensuring a continuous supply of wood and a guaranteed (almost) market for the pulpwood harvested. The pulp industry is much like other global industries, very much subject to the supply of cheaper product from other places in the world such as China and Chile. North American suppliers are vulnerable to the increased capacity from many countries but retain the ability to fill niche markets and respond to crisis that may occur in other parts of the world. The pulpwood industry in the Northeast seems to continue with business restructuring and new ownerships continue the demand for New Hampshire’s pulpwood.
3. Sawmills Northern New Hampshire has relatively few sawmills as compared with other regions of the state. This is mostly due to the pulpwood focus of the north, and the other robust sawlog markets in Maine, Vermont and Quebec, and more recently, overseas. Northern New Hampshire’s sawlog market is truly regional. The diversity of species feed specialized mills such as the spruce/fir dimension mill in Milan and the hardwood mill in St. Malo, Quebec. White pine may flow to Maine or father south in New Hampshire, hemlock to Berlin, veneer to Newport, Vermont or Lac Megantic, Quebec. Wood moves in all directions.
The number of mills in the state and region continues to drop but many of those remaining are larger, more specialized by species and product, more innovative, and have invested in new technologies like computer controlled scanners and sorters. There is a niche for smaller, retail- oriented mills that are nimble and able to service both local and regional markets with a variety of products using a variety of species. Cash flow, inventory control and fixed costs continue to challenge the sawmill industry. The two large sawmills in Coos County still capitalize on processing high-value sawlogs, despite a decline in the board foot output
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between 2005 and 2009 (Simpkins, 2011). The mills add value by kiln-drying, planning, millwork, wood container and pallet manufacturing. Other uses of the forest products include furniture and related products, Christmas trees and maple syrup, but these are generally smaller (and sometimes seasonal) businesses.
4. Furniture Industry The loss of the furniture and other manufactured wood product’s industry was a considerable blow to the North Country of New Hampshire. As the economy recovers and the global manufacturing impact of countries like China decrease due to domestic (in-China) consumption, the opportunity for US manufacturers is increasing, but in a different way. Gone are the mass production facilities, emerging are the nimble, custom manufacturers that can take advantage of the consumer demand for Made in the USA products. Other advantages to wood products made in the US are: close to the resource, close to the market, fast delivery times, service oriented, customer driven, quality control and the sustainable sources for the raw material. Interestingly enough, the Chinese middle and upper class consumers are more interested in made in the US products than those made in China.
5. Wood Energy Wood has always been a source of energy for the forest products sector. During the 1970s wood to electrical generation became a major use for logging residue and other wood manufacturing waste. Today, the industry remains producing over 150 Megawatts of power in seven facilities across the state. These plants currently use approximately 1.9 million green tons of wood fuel. The capacity will increase this year as the Burgess Biomass Power plant goes into production in Berlin. The 75 megawatt facility will consume an estimated 700,000 tons of whole tree chips. Fuel for this facility will come from New Hampshire and the surrounding states and possibly Canada. Depending on price the market for fuel may begin to compete with the long-established pulpwood markets. Competition may also draw wood away from those wood energy facilities in the region. The market provides land managers another tool for improving the forest by removing the less desirable and lower value product. The financial return to the landowner from whole tree chips is minimal ($1-2 per ton) so as not to provide an incentive to harvest purely for the energy market. The cost of producing the chips in the woods is also higher than the value of the product. Therefore whole-tree chips will not drive an increase in harvesting. It simply is not economically viable as the market exists today. Equipment investment is also a deterrent for loggers to add chipping equipment and chip trailers to their equipment mix. Recent initiatives to increase the use of large scale pellet boilers have resulted in a number of commercial and municipal projects.
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These projects include the White Mountain School, the Littleton Police Station, St. Kiernan’s Community Center for the Arts, AHEAD and the Grafton County Complex.
6. Small Thermal Wood Energy New Hampshire is on the cusp of becoming the nation’s leader in utilizing biomass, both wood chips and wood pellets, to gain energy independence from the use of home heating oil and propane. Sixty three percent (63%) of the heat generated in New Hampshire comes from these petroleum products. In the North Country of New Hampshire numerous installations in hospitals (Weeks, Androscoggin, Littleton) and both the Grafton County and Carroll County facilities are utilizing wood for a substantial portion of their heating and cooling needs. Each is displacing thousands of gallons of fuel oil and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. The residential wood pellet boiler sector is also primed for growth. Due to the Model Neighborhood Project Berlin now has the highest per- capita density of wood pellet boilers in the country (Short/NFS 2013). Growth in this sector will be a new activity in the woods as well as job and business creation for pellet delivery and boiler installation and servicing. These wood systems use relatively small amounts of chips or pellets when compared with the large wood power plants, yet the infrastructure feeding those plants is important to enable the smaller installations to obtain feedstock at a competitive price. This sector of the forest industry has great potential to expand and provide local fuel for local communities, retaining wealth locally that can be invested for other purposes. The 40 residential wood pellet boilers now operating in Berlin are projected to generate over $6 million in economic impact over the next 25 years, by keeping and circulating heating dollars locally.
7. Town Forests A number of towns in the region have recognized the value of their forest resources and have created town-managed forests. Some of these parcels were given to towns as gifts, but more often towns own parcels of forest land as a result of non-payment of taxes. Recently, trends are for communities to actively purchase land, as a community development effort. Communities are experiencing economic, environmental and community benefits from owning forestland: • Revenue from timber management and harvesting • Protection of water sources • Educational asset for the school • Volunteer opportunity for citizens • Conservation and enhancement of habitat and natural communities • Outdoor recreational space
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• Local control
Larger investments in forest land ownership by communities 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 10,000 acres to avoid development of a resort or a ‘second village’ which would need to be serviced. Though Albany had 80% of its town in federal ownership, the town purchased 300 acres of its own along the Saco River intended to provide a local community focal point. Long term sustainable management of the timber resource provides communities with long term sustainable income, as well as a sustainable resource contribution to the forest industry. d) Conclusions and Emerging Opportunities New Hampshire’s North Country has the potential to continue in its role as a natural resource economic driver. The complexity and diversity of the forest products industry, while challenging, is able to withstand major disruptions in the market, the landownership pattern, and the loss of well- paying jobs. While individuals and communities have and continue to have difficult economic challenges, the industry survives, reorganizes and adapts to changing conditions. New opportunities exist for further development of the secondary industry when the market creates enough of a demand to warrant the investment. New products or processes may emerge but will have to find a niche in the already very competitive wood markets.
An example of the potential and an emerging opportunity for a renewed forest industry has been proposed in the EDA-supported report on the New Forest Economy Feasibility Study done in response to the closure of the mill in Groveton, NH. While this concept is still in research, development and demonstration phase at the State University of New York Center for Brownfield Studies in Syracuse, New York, it does lay out the potential for a renewed forest industry that could sustain the forest-based industry throughout the Northern Forest region.
This New Forest Economy introduces a new set of industrial and manufacturing opportunities, technologies and systems that will disassemble wood fiber to capture the highest possible total value from each unit of fiber, and in the process generate the maximum number of jobs and business investment from each ton of wood. The wood supply is based on utilizing existing fiber and growing willow as a raw material, both considered “cluster” industries. They will feed the bio- products cluster, which will use a hot water extraction method to obtain 15 different marketable chemicals. These chemicals include nano crystal cellulose, butanol, ethanol, biodiesel, methanol and various acids such as lactic and formic acid, etc. The lignin produced can be made into a higher BTU pellet and other products for a wood products
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cluster. A fabrication and engineering cluster would manufacture the necessary equipment. Since both heat and power could be created on the site, a food growing and processing cluster and a power cluster would also be created. 3. Tourism Industry a) Tourism Regions in the North Counties There are seven tourist regions in the state; four of them include the North Country (see figure 25 on page 62), with two of them being the most significant. The White Mountains Region, which includes a majority of the North Country, is the largest and most visited tourist region in the state. The southeastern part of Grafton County falls into the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region, but the largest portion of the county is in the White Mountains Region. The northern part of Carroll County and the southern part of Coos County also falls into the White Mountains Region. The majority of Coos County, once part of the White Mountains Region, is now part of the Great North Woods Region.
The White Mountains and Great North Woods regions are not only important to the North Country but the state as well: the two regions generated 27% of the statewide tourist dollar spending in 2012. More significantly, the percent of increase 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 which showed decreases and three of which had only single digit increases. This increase may be a reflection of increased promotional investments as a region through such efforts as NH Grand.
b) Grafton County The North Country Council’s federally designated Economic Development District (EDD) includes the entire county while our regional planning district includes only the northern half. A small part, including Plymouth, is in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee tourist region. The towns between Warren and Littleton fall into the White Mountains Region. The area borders Vermont and the Connecticut River to the west. Over half the White Mountain National Forest is located in Grafton County alone. Assets of this region include the Appalachian Trail, Scenic Byways such as the Presidential Range Trail, White Mountain Trail and River Heritage Trail and Franconia Notch State Park. Ski Areas include Cannon Mountain, Loon Mountain Resort, and Waterville Valley Resort.
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c) Carroll County The North Country includes the seven most northern towns of Carroll County. It is the second least populated but fastest growing county in the state. Most of the county’s population is in these seven towns and all of these towns are in the White Mountains Region. This part of the region is known as the Mt. Washington Valley, a tourist destination well known for its scenery, tax-free outlet shopping and many natural and man-made attractions. The Mt. Washington Valley is a four-season resort area offering numerous activities year round. The area offers everything for most tourists, therefore they do not have to travel out of the area for outdoor recreational activities, shopping, dining or lodging. The ski industry has been a long-standing tourism anchor, and the recent focus on utilizing the ski areas during summer and fall for activities such as mountain biking and zip lines have contributed to the increased year-round use of the facilities and the attraction of the area for a wide variety of tourists.
This area has had to, and continues to, address different concerns regarding the impact of tourism than northern Grafton and Coos Counties. Traffic, higher real estate costs, housing shortages, to name a few, have been issues for tourists and local residents. The growth from tourism has resulted in an increase in lower paying service jobs and sprawling development.
The Mt. Washington Valley Economic Council’s mission is to improve and diversify jobs and businesses in the area while maintaining a commitment to the local communities and natural environment. They feel this diversity is needed due to the heavy presence of tourist businesses and will help sustain the economy in the area. The Mt. Washington Valley Technology Village is one important example of this effort. This business park will be begin Phase II of its expansion in 2013.
d) Coos County Located in the most northern part of New Hampshire, Coos County is the lowest populated county in the state. Over 50% of the population is located in the lower third of the county. The White Mountain National Forest, Connecticut Lake State Forest and the Nash Stream State Forest cover much of the area. The very southern end of the county falls into the White Mountains Region and the remainder, beginning in and around Berlin and going north, is part of the Great North Woods state tourism region.
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Coos County has seen the emphasis on tourism increase significantly over the past several years. The “NH Grand” tourism promotion, the 2012 opening of the Jericho Mountain State Park, the 2013 Ride the Wilds festival have all contributed significantly to the tourism economy in Coos County and has placed it “on the map” for a wide variety of recreational activities from grand hotels to ATV, trail bike and snowmobile enthusiasts. The tourism section has been a force behind the documented signs of growth in the Coos economy (INHS, 2013). Assets include Cohos Trail, Connecticut Lakes, and Appalachian Trail.
e) Direct Benefits of tourism The overall economic contribution of the tourism industry in the North Country is large and continues to grow in terms of jobs created and tax revenues. According to the 2012 report from the Institute for NH Studies, North Country tourists spent nearly $1.2 billion and generated over $345 million in tax revenues. The Great North Woods and White Mountains regions are ranked #1 and #2, respectively, in traveler spending per visitor day (INHS, 2012). Statewide, travel and tourism was the second largest “export” employment sector, employing over 61,000 people statewide, and at 22%, travel and tourism falls just below manufacturing at 22.1% (INHS, 2012).
f) Indirect Benefits of Tourism There are additional indirect positive benefits of tourism that are not well understood. The USDA has classified every rural county in the country according to which industries it is dependent on for the majority of its employment. Recreation and service dependent counties are growing faster in terms of population and income than manufacturing dependent counties, throughout the country. This situation clearly holds true for the North Country where Carroll County has been one of the fastest growing counties in the state and Coos County has lost population in every national census since 1950. Incomes are also growing faster in Carroll County especially “non-earned” interest, dividends and rent income which is becoming a larger share of county income as more baby boomers retire to the area.
g) Tourism Challenges Include Jobs and Landowner Attitudes Jobs created directly from the flow of tourists in and out of the region include retail trade, the arts, entertainment and recreation, and accommodations and food services. These industries typically have a seasonal pattern which is different within the three regions.
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Wages for these tourist related jobs are generally on the low end of the scale. For example, in the Northern NH Labor Market Region, the average wage for food preparation and serving-related occupations is $10.27 per hour, compared to $18.25 per hour for all occupations in the LMA (NH ELMIB, 2013).
A northern forest-wide survey completed in cooperation between UNH, UVM, University of Maine and Cornell University, funded by the Northeastern States Research Cooperative, found that major land owners still have questions about the impact of tourism. For instance, one of the survey questions asked about the causes of disturbing land use changes. The majority of Coos landowners surveyed agreed that three of the major causes includes “new owners cutting timber and subdividing,” “out of state residents restricting access” to open land, and “second home owners creating a two-class system.” A majority of Coos landowners also agreed that “newcomers don’t value longtime landowner perspective.” These survey results underscore the need for tourism proponents to work with communities to prevent conflicts with community values.
Comparison of Average Weekly Wages in 2012
$1,800
$1,600
$1,400
$1,200
$1,000 Carroll County $800 Coos County $600 Grafton County $400
$200
$0 Manufacturing Retail Trade Food & Professional & Accomodations Technical Services
Source: ELMIB/QCEW Program Report 2012 Figure 24: Comparison of Average Weekly Wages in 2012
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h) Tourism Summary All towns and regions in the North Country recognize the economic benefits of tourism and are searching for ways to most benefit their communities. While some areas are embracing new promotional efforts to increase tourism, others are diversifying their economy to balance tourism in their area. Regions are identifying their unique characteristics, and their promotional efforts are including a strong emphasis on maintaining the rural character and protecting the natural resources. They are looking at regional and local marketing of heritage and cultural resources. Increased tourism can provide entrepreneurial opportunities but the planning process needs to include the public to prevent conflict between business growth and local attitudes.
The regional effort known as New Hampshire Grand is a good example of communities coming together to successfully promote tourism on a regional basis, in this case primarily Coos County. The NH Grand brand website, www.nhgrand.com, attracted over 27,000 unique visitors in 2012 alone. It promotes establishments, activities, events and adventures in one comprehensive site, and also focuses on social media as well as traditional promotional and marketing activities. The program has demonstrated a 15% increase in rooms and meals tax revenues in the first 5 months of 2013, while the rest of the state saw only a 5% increase. NH Grand installed four visitor information kiosks in Berlin, Gorham, Twin Mountain and Santa’s Village with kiosks underway in Groveton and Colebrook. Working closely with the five area Chambers of Commerce, NH Grand is bringing together business leaders from around the region to share ideas on how to best market both individual businesses and communities, as well as the region.
4. Emerging New Cluster: Agriculture The emerging agricultural cluster encompasses both the region’s heritage and traditional farming and new trends in local food and farming. Traditional dairy remains the largest agricultural land use, although the number of farms has dwindled. Prices for fertile land along the Connecticut River remain high or are increasing, as larger dairy farms from the Upper Valley and Vermont compete for land for grazing and growing corn and hay.
In place of cows, some former dairy farms are now raising laying hens. A large national egg producer in Monroe has grown dramatically in the last 5 years and is seeking more local egg producers. Some large laying barns are being built along the river on former dairy farms.
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Many of the region’s new and smaller diversified farms are aimed not at the national market but at the local one. The Littleton Food Co-op, which opened in 2009, has proved a game changer for small diversified farms. The Co-op provides a key wholesale market to supplement farmers markets and on-farm sales. Farms from throughout the Connecticut River valley in New Hampshire and Vermont supply vegetables, breads, meats, and cheeses. The demand for local food by a growing number of consumers has helped some small farms stay in business and expand, and has encouraged new farm businesses and value-added producers to start.
While challenges to dairy in the Northeast remain very high, some farms are responding by consolidating and diversifying. Cheese making can be an essential part of a successful dairy business as demonstrated by the success of a local creamery, which has won national and international awards for its cheeses.
Planning and business development work is going on now to expand the local food system in the region, with the goal of having local food and agriculture key components in economic growth. From as diverse directions as cheese making and brewing, to traditional and organic dairy, grass-fed meat, and specialty breads, the region has huge potential. Challenges include aggregation and distribution, getting technical assistance to farm businesses, and access to capital. But various efforts are aimed at addressing these, plus bringing land back into agricultural production and linking farm seekers with landowners. Underlying all of this work is the importance of making nutritious local food available to all North Country people.
The “Keep Growing” project, funded by USDA with the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust as project manager, is currently mapping the food system and doing quantitative and qualitative research to understand the current state of the food system. Based on this research, an economic analysis and a marketing analysis will be prepared in 2014, both of which will include recommendations for actions.
5. Emerging Cluster in Berlin: Corrections Cluster The corrections industry has grown extensively since the Northern NH Correctional Facility opened in 2000. With the addition of the Federal Corrections Institution-Berlin, which opened in 2012, there is now a cluster developing in Berlin around these two corrections facilities, with ripple effects in all 3 counties.
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When FCI-Berlin is completely staffed (it is currently in the activation phase), the two institutions will be employing approximately 525 employees. There are also other opportunities for law enforcement in each county as there are county operated sheriff’s departments. Finally, several communities in the North Country region have local police departments with varying staffing levels. Some of the larger local police departments can be found in Conway, Littleton, Lancaster, Gorham and Berlin.
There are several levels of law enforcement in the North Country providing opportunities for those interested in corrections. Beyond the positions of police officers, sheriffs, and corrections officers, there are prospects for individuals who have education or experience in different fields with the corrections industry. There is a need for case managers, educators, healthcare workers, and maintenance technicians to name a few of the other positions available. All of these positions provide livable wages and good benefits.
The corrections industry has grown substantially since the Northern NH Correctional Facility opened its door giving the North Country several relatively stable employment opportunities that weren’t available before. While this industry does not fill the void left by the departure of so many manufacturing jobs in the region, it is bringing young people and families to the area and providing opportunities for the youth of the region. White Mountains Community College has been working to provide curriculum that will be useful to those wanting to pursue a career in corrections here in the North Country.
The corrections facilities also create opportunities for ancillary businesses to serve both the industry and its employees. The following opportunities for entrepreneurship have been identified as directly related to the needs of these new employees: childcare, including full time kindergarten, dry cleaning, pet care and boarding, laundromat, coffee shop, movie theater, gym/fitness center, more grocery options (including more international food) and the hope for a gas station/convenience store in the northeastern area of the city.
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Figure 25: North Country Tourist Regions
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E. Labor Market Characteristics 1. Labor Market Areas The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has designated six Labor Market Areas (LMA’s) in the North Country (see figure 26 page 64), including Berlin, Colebrook, Conway, Lebanon, Littleton and Plymouth LMAs. “In concept, an LMA is an economically integrated region within which workers can readily change jobs without changing their place of residence (NHES, LMA User’s Guide, p.8).” In reality LMA’s give a good approximation of the local labor market area but are far from 100% accurate.
By contrast, the NH Employment Security, Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau adds one LMA to the North Country, the Haverhill LMA and also divides the state into “wage areas.” Four wage areas that include the North Country: the Northern NH area, Conway area, Plymouth area and Lebanon-Hanover area
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 accuracy 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 person only works 20 weeks a year or 25 hours per week. In 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.
Many people work at part-time jobs to provide more flexibility in their schedules, but others take these jobs because they did not have any other choice. Regardless of the reasons, uncovered employment can be very detrimental to the regional economy. For instance, part-time workers can face unexpected medical costs or layoffs and need to depend on public assistance or welfare. In past surveys, the region had demonstrated twice the level of part-time and multi-job holders compared to the national average (13% vs. 26%), but to better understand this problem will require an updated and more in-depth survey of the workforce.
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Figure 26: NH Labor Market Areas
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F. Social and Human Capital 1. Introduction Social and human capital, the people and institutions that make the economy work, are ultimately how we measure economic progress. In this new knowledge economy, people with their physical skills, intellects, and new ideas are again at the center of production
2. Population Characteristics Current population statistics for the North Country can be divided into two trends. The first is that the population age 65 and older will grow and the population age 15 and under will shrink. This is similar to the state as a whole. The other trend is that population changes will not be consistent among the three counties of the North Country.
Demographics from Census 2010 currently show that the mid- and mature working population ages 25-64 in all three counties is fairly consistent with the state as a whole, with one exception. Carroll County shows a sharp deficit in the population age 25-34, at only 6% of the population, compared 11% in the state as a whole and 10% in Coos and Grafton Counties. The other anomaly is in the age group 20-24. Grafton County far exceeds the state as a whole (9.7% compared to 6.4%), while Carroll and Coos Counties (3.9% and 4.7% respectively) fall below the state percentage.
According the NH Office of Energy and Planning County Population Statistics 2013, Carroll and Grafton Counties are projected to see a steady increase in population from 2010-2040. Carroll County will grow the fastest, at 13%, while Grafton County will see a projected 6% increase. Coos County is projected to lose 17% of its population during those years in a slow but steady decline.
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Figure 27: Total Population
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Figure 28: Population Change 2000 to 2010
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Figure 29: Median Age - Total Population
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Figure 30: Percent of Population Age 15 - 19
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Figure 31: Percent of Population Age 20 - 24
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Figure 32: Percent of Population Age 25 - 34
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Figure 33: Percent of Population Age 35 - 44
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Figure 34: Percent of Population Age 45 - 64
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Figure 35: Percent of Population Age 65 and Over
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Figure 36: Percent of Non-White Population 2010
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3. Education Attainment High school educational attainment and continuing education throughout adulthood is now the norm in the nation’s growth industries. According to Dr. Ross Gittell in The Two New Hampshires (2013), rural NH, including the 3 counties in the North Country, have a lower collage attainment rate than metro areas of NH, but with a higher percentage attaining associates degrees than bachelor degrees. This is important, as some studies have shown that graduates with an associate degree in certain fields earn higher average salaries than for those with a bachelor degree.
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Educational Attainment Carroll - Coos - Grafton - NH - US
100
90
80
70
60
50 Percent 40
30
20 Carroll 10 Coos 0 Grafton NH US
Source: www.ruraldataportal.org Figure 37: Educational Attainment
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4. Income and Poverty a) Introduction Region wide the per capita income in the North Country is below the state average, as the following maps will show. Coos County has the lowest per capita income at $24,059, a full 27% below the state average. Carroll and Grafton Counties are closer to the state average, falling at only 10% below the state average. However, within each county there are communities that rise significantly above the state average and also dramatically below, as much as 50% below the state average.
Median household income tells a slightly different story. All of the 3 counties fall significantly below the state average, with Coos County 36% below, Carroll County 22% below and Grafton County 18% below the state average. As with per capita income, the averages can vary greatly between communities.
Male and female earnings for full time year round workers are both below the state average. Female earnings in Carroll County are 20% below the state average, in Coos County they are 24% below and in Grafton County 9% below the state average. Male earnings are also below the state average, at 22% below in Carroll County, 20% below in Coos County and 16% below in Grafton County. Again, there is wide variation when comparing individual communities.
But it is when comparing poverty rates that the economy of the North Country is shown in stark contrast to the state as a whole. While the state touts its 8% poverty rate as a success story, the North Country suffers much higher poverty rates. In Coos County, 13 % of the population is below the poverty level. 10.3% of Carroll County and 9.9% of Grafton County populations are below the poverty level.
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Carroll - Coos - Grafton Counties Income By Sources
$4,500,000 $4,000,000 $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 Carroll County $2,000,000 Coos County $1,500,000 Grafton County $1,000,000 $500,000 $0 Total Personal Net Earnings Transfers Dividends, Income Interest & Rent
Source: US Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of economic Analysis 2012 (www.bea.gov)
Figure 38: Carroll – Coos – Grafton Counties Income By Sources
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Figure 39: Per Capita Income
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Figure 40: Median Household Income
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Figure 41: Median Earnings for Female Full-time Year Round Workers
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Figure 42: Median Earnings for Male Full-time Year Round Workers
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Figure 43: Percent of Population Below Poverty
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VI. EVALUATION OF THE REGIONAL ECONOMY – SWOT ANALYSIS
The CEDS Committee worked exhaustively on the SWOT analysis adopted in 2013. The result is an assessment of the North Country economy with the contributions of over 25 economic development professionals. There was far from unanimous agreement on the committee for each of these strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, but there was agreement. The committee requested that an introduction be added to the SWOT analysis to describe the process, and several committee members were concerned with stating support for certain activities or ideas (e.g., power generation through wind) unconditionally. In the end, the committee agreed that instead of adding lots of conditional and qualifying language to this SWOT analysis, a caveat should be stated at the beginning that individual project circumstances can differ, and this SWOT, and/or the CEDS goals do not necessarily mean that the CEDS Committee is in support of all related projects.
A. STRENGTHS Transportation Connections - The North Country has excellent highway connections to the rest of New England and Canada I-93, I-91, Routes 2, 3, 16, 25, 26, and 302. In addition, rail connections are still good via short haul lines and state owned corridors. The Manchester – Boston Regional Airport has given the North Country easy access to a major commercial airport in addition to the Portland, Maine Jetport and the Boston’s Logan Airport. Some of the more active smaller North Country airports are located in Berlin, Whitefield, and Fryeburg, Maine. Proximity to Major Metropolitan Areas - The North Country is strategically located 3 hours from Boston, Montreal, and Connecticut in a central location on I-93 and I-91. Opportunities for distribution, international business, tourism, travelers’ services, etc. are very high. Alternative and Renewable Energy Assets - including hydro, forest, natural gas, landfill gas, agricultural waste, wind and solar Hydro: There are several hydroelectric stations on the Connecticut and Androscoggin Rivers providing clean, low cost energy. Coos County is, at times, a net electricity exporter.
Forest Resources - Approximately ninety-five percent of the North Country is covered by forest. Fiber supply is adequate with the potential to support existing industry, and the new energy generation that is replacing paper as the primary user of regional wood supply. This situation will be affected in the future by the level of new energy production and the availability of fragmented wood supplies.
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Tourism - The region offers year-round tourism with extensive natural, cultural, heritage and commercial assets (lakes, mountains, anchor resorts, theme parks, grand hotels, scenic byways, state parks, and the WMNF). Visitors generate a sizeable contribution to rooms/meals revenues to the state. In addition, their visitor expenditures generate hundreds of millions of dollars of economic activity in the region. These tourists are a market opportunity for North Country communities and businesses. Economic Infrastructure - Rooms, restaurants, business services and retail outlets are in place to capture expenditures from the tourist and the local business community. These facilities/services are in place in all our growth centers and development target areas. Post-Secondary Education and Higher Education - Dartmouth, PSU, Lebanon College and Granite State College all offer 4-year degree programs regionally. White Mountains Community College offers degrees, certificates, and workforce training throughout the region through institution based, internet-based, and employer-based programs. Quality Labor Force - Economy-wide structural underemployment and now unemployment hold great potential for new business and employment opportunities. Clean Water - Large Supplies of fresh water include the headwaters of several major rivers which traverse New England including the Connecticut, Androscoggin, Ammonoosuc, and Saco. Water supplies, commercial bottling withdrawals, and water rights all signal the increasing value of this resource. Quality of Life - The North Country offers high quality of life in terms of low levels of crime, natural amenities, and community village atmosphere. White Mountain National Forest - The White Mountain National Forest accounts for approximately one-third of the land area of the North Country (approximately 800,000 acres total). It offers multiple recreation and wood resource opportunities to the region and is one of the region’s greatest economic assets. Regional/Community Character - The communities of the North Country and the region as a whole are largely undeveloped with open spaces and scenic vista around nearly every turn. Small villages and towns continue to be surrounded by the forested landscape. Village centers include a variety of locally owned shops, and a strong connection to the past is preserved with historical buildings and resources throughout the region. The charm and the lifestyle of the region make it an ideal place to relocate to, start a business, and enjoy a high quality of life. Growth Centers - The North Country has several growth centers that service entire labor market areas; these communities are the economic engines of the region. Growth center communities include Berlin, Colebrook, Lancaster, Littleton, Plymouth, and Conway. Each one, however, is unique; their diversity gives us strength and stability as a region.
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Local Development Groups - The North Country benefits from strong local development corporations. These development groups offer an actively engaged local public capacity to get community-based projects done. New Agricultural Opportunities - Although the total acreage in cultivation has declined, there has been an increase in micro-niche farming and direct farm opportunities. Excess heat from power generation could provide new indoor, year-round controlled environmental opportunities especially in proximity to mill, landfill, and biomass generation sites. Community Banks - Strength of local lending institutions important to economic health of the region. Retired Population - Human resource for work and volunteering Improvements in Cultural Opportunities - The region has an active arts and entertainment scene which improved over the years. Coos County-wide ATV Trail System - Coos County is becoming a popular destination for ATV users and now has one of the largest year-round trail networks in the northeast.
B. WEAKNESSES Exported Services - There is little specialization in traded (exported) services beyond tourism. There is a need to better measure and understand this important engine of the economy. Uneven development across region - Uneven development across the region including manufacturing and recreation dependent areas leads to starkly different economic conditions including income disparities, housing costs, and economic opportunities. A growing income disparity around the region especially in high growth recreation areas has been documented. (Source: NFSEI, June 2008). High energy costs - The region labors under high energy costs compared to national averages. Many intensive users “wheel” for energy on daily markets and others are generating on-site to control energy costs Tourism Job Quality - Tourism job quality on average is low in terms of wages, benefits, and year-round employment compared to other industries. Overall Job Quantity and Quality - There is a major decline in overall employment and quality year-round jobs with benefits in Coos County. This is partially expressed as a long-term decline in manufacturing (and other industries) without major replacement of quality jobs and economic diversity. Wages for service and retail sector job have stagnated or declined throughout the region. Limited Knowledge-Based Jobs - Jobs for high-end service and high-tech jobs based on relative performance of those industries vs. national average (i.e., 2-3% in NF counties vs. 5-6% nationally, NFSEI, June 2008) is limited.
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Tax Structure - NH tax structure continues to increase local property tax burdens and limit resources essential to community and regional development. East-West Highway - There is a significant lack of efficient east-west highway connections. Routes 2, 302 and 112 are the region’s East-west connectors. Sectorial Work Force Limitations - Work force limitations and shortages in the retail trade and service industries are a weakness. Our work force lacks some of the education, skills, and sheer scale to compete globally for development opportunities with other more highly educated and populous areas around the globe. Development Ready Sites - The North Country lacks parcels and industrial buildings with sufficient road and broadband access suitable for quick and easy development. Comprehensive Broadband, Cell, and Wi-Fi Access - Broadband Internet Access, affordability, quality, and redundancy in some areas are either inadequate or non-existent. Transportation and Infrastructure Investment - The region’s roads, bridges, water and sewer systems are in need of major investments to allow these systems and our communities to accommodate new growth and development. Our transportation infrastructure is in need of higher investment levels to maintain accessibility levels (roads, bridges, railroads etc.). Little public transportation is offered. Downtowns Floundering - There are 25 “downtowns” or “village compact areas” in the region that are groping for direction or trying to achieve some level of economic stability. Our downtowns are the heart of our small business economy. As our downtowns and small businesses falter and have fewer diverse offerings to attract attention and traffic, our communities as a whole fail to grow and prosper. Large Geographic Area/Small Skewed Population - Our region’s population is spread over one-third of the state’s land mass. The cost of delivering both public and private 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 community culture and rural land use increases. In the Connecticut River Valley and Coos County, this worsening problem is causing long-term change and is causing the regional economy to falter. Short Sighted View of the Region’s Wood Resources and Lack of Incentives to Encourage Longer Rotations to Develop Quality and Diversity of Forest Products - The desire to reap short-term financial gain from the region’s forests works against the longer natural cycles of forest regeneration and growth. The resulting harvest of high volume, low value wood discourages the development of more diverse, higher value added manufacturing.
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Municipal Basis for Economic Development - The revenue and governance structure of New Hampshire’s municipal government discourages joint ventureship and fosters community centric decision making. View of the North Country as Inaccessible and Remote - Prospective new businesses can reject considering a North Country location because of our perceived isolation. The lack of access to cell, internet and Wi-Fi signals in some areas including downtowns and major transportation corridors, reinforces this view. Low Per Capita Income - Limited incomes translate to limited opportunities for education, less discretionary expenditures, and a contracting economy. Concentration of Communities with High Poverty Levels – On average, income and wage levels are lower in the North Country than the rest of NH. Low Educational Attainment – According o the 2000 US Census, the percentage of high-school graduates is 77% for Coos, 88% for Grafton and 88% for Carroll counties Lack of regional cohesiveness
. Fragmented Telecommunications - There is no state or regional strategy to insure that the North Country has 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 New Hampshire’s government.
. Physical Economic Constraints. The rough terrain indigenous to the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire is often an economic constraint to work force availability, regional transportation and cohesive regional strategies.
. Leadership Crisis - As the North Country changes as a result of world and regional economic forces, there is limited local and regional leadership to help us manage or respond to the change. Lack of Local and Regional Land Use Planning Policies – this can result in land use patterns like sprawl which have negative effects on the region’s natural resource base and economy. Climate - A short growing season, long winters, and often severe weather conditions can limit economic activity. Lack of Economic Diversification - Loss of papermaking jobs in Coos has exposed a North Country economy lacking diversity in its forest industry and its economy overall. Tourism continues to be a leading industry but this can no longer be said for manufacturing. The region continues to explore opportunities in finance and insurance, energy, and high-end service jobs to diversify the economy.
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Importation of Energy Means Exportation of Regional Wealth – Although the region is a net energy exporter, most of the energy used in the region must be transmitted over the grid, while transmission accounts for half of the cost of electricity. An import-substitution program focused on energy could allow the region to derive more benefits from its growing energy production industry including biomass, wind, and other sources. Access to Capital - especially equity, high risk for new venture and lines of credit for established businesses struggling with overall economic decline in the state and nation but felt must acutely in rural areas with limited economic base. Aging Workforce – while this is a widespread problem, trends in North Country counties is especially acute. Attractiveness of Region to Young People – Although arts and entertainment opportunities have improved in the North Country many younger people still want more social, arts, cultural opportunities than the region provides. Health Indicators – A recent health survey rated Coos County, in particular, as below average in terms of the health of the overall population.
C. OPPORTUNITIES Encourage Local Energy and Heat Production and Conservation – Develop appropriate local energy and heat utilizing renewable (including biomass, hydroelectricity, wind , solar), and alternative resources (including methane from solid waste) for local use. This approach can lower local energy costs, increase efficiency of natural resource use, create more traditional jobs, create more new alternative energy services and manufacturing jobs, and potentially ease transmission capacity issues. Conservation can occur through improving building envelope efficiency the North Country and New England, in general, is known to have an older housing stock while energy efficiency building technology has greatly advanced in recent years.
Support Broadband Deployment Initiatives – Improve broadband access and quality to increase regional economic opportunities by making traditional industries more efficient and/or spurring new industries, applications, services, and communications. Greater connections to the Canadian markets, innovations, and workforce. Support Long-term Stewardship of Forest Resources – Create incentives to reward the long-term ownership, wise use, and conservation of healthy well- managed forests. We can renew an industrial base (energy, manufacturing, construction, tourism) that utilizes the forest. In the face of pressure to convert land to non-forest uses, public policy efforts such the Forest Legacy program and the 14 state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) should support the retention and stewardship of existing well managed forests in the
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Northeast including new and proposed town forests which have a number of advantages over other remote forest owners. Promote new collaboration opportunities between conservation and economic development efforts - Work on mutually reinforcing goals such as local agriculture and development, working woodlands, and protecting cultural and natural resources important to tourism can bridge historic differences between the conservation and economic development communities. Recruit growing retiree population – Retirees could assist with shrinking labor force issues, the on-going needs for leadership, knowledge and experience, and for their ability to invest in communities and new economic opportunities. Support Regional Marketing Efforts – Tourism continues to be a regional economic mainstay but less so in Coos County where efforts are being made to highlight world-class resources and qualities. Commercialize New Wood Technologies – The North Country wood industry needs to diversify and one important way could be to utilize new R&D through federal and university labs much as the Brown Company did in Berlin 100 years ago. The economic development community may be able to play an important role in creating a wood products development center. “Buy Local and Sell Global” – The “Go Local Movement” to produce and purchase locally is premised on better customer service, better and healthier products, higher local economic multipliers, and reduced energy 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 that are currently imported is another way to build regional wealth. Encourage Niche Industries – Services and products (including manufacturing) which are developed to serve lucrative specialized markets is a good strategy for smaller scale rural firms. Support High Amenity Resort Areas – These resort areas can support the region’s natural and cultural resources while providing important employment and regional investment. Support the Region’s Creative Economy - The region has a higher percentage of health, education, artist, and self-employed occupations than the overall national economy. These high-end service occupations are expected to offer job growth in the foreseeable future. Expand Training and Job Creation in Building Including “Green Building” Trades - New demands for retrofitting all types of old construction, installing alternative energy systems, meeting new building codes, building second homes, and various other types of building have increased the regional demand for old, new and newly trained construction professionals. Encourage Expansion of Emerging High Technology Business Sector - The Hanover area of the region has experienced the most high-tech growth with
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Dartmouth-based computer and health industry developments over many years. The rest of the region needs investments in infrastructure, supporting policies, and labor force to better compete in these industries. Support Cluster-Based Economic Development – Supplier networks need to be better developed between major manufacturing and service areas in the North Country. Expand Small Business Support Services- Many small businesses need more business planning, counseling, financial, policy and tax credit assistance, especially start-ups. Support Local Food Production – Support increased markets and agriculture infrastructure needed for greater local food production. As the premium for fresh food and food security rises, this could become an important import substitution strategy for the region. Workforce Training opportunities with High Schools - The North Country has experienced some success in tying high school education into local employment needs including internships and job shadow programs. Data Cloud Back-up Services – A data storage firm recently located in the Littleton industrial park because it met special site requirements including secure, quality power and communications infrastructure and distance from a major metropolitan area. Relatively Low Land Prices Attraction- The region could be attractive to land intensive industry including agriculture, and second homes. Boosting International Tourism Revenues – international tourists are interested in new England and on average stay longer and spend more and currently exchange rates are in their favor with a weak dollar.
D. THREATS Labor Force Development Needs to be Bolstered - The North Country continues to face a shortage of service and tourism workers in addition to skilled professional and technical workers to support the expansion of the region’s growing firms. The loss or outmigration of 25-34 year olds coupled with an aging workforce could further reduce the labor force. Middle-Class is Shrinking - In Carroll County especially, there is evidence that the middle class is shrinking because of a lack of broad-based employment opportunities and relative growth in lower paying retail and service jobs, as well as an influx in higher income retirees. In Coos, there has been substantial out-migration due to lack of economic opportunities and increased costs of living. Controlling Sprawl – Sprawl can have very negative fiscal and economic impacts on a community increasing infrastructure costs, and travel times, and suppressing attractiveness, downtowns, and local merchants.
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Fragmentation of Agricultural and Forest Land - The North Country is experiencing shifts of landuse from open agricultural and forests lands to second-home, retail and other types of development. The resulting fragmented lands can be less economical to farm and practice forestry on. Loss of Local Water Supplies - Water is a becoming a valuable commodity which can be bought and sold by large corporate interests where ecological impact is difficult to gauge. Even large conservation easements are starting to exempt water extractions from any development limitations. This issue has received most attention from our western Maine neighbors and in southern NH to date. Disincentives to Local Heat and Power Production – Local power and heat production is held back by several issues relating to back-up power affordability, local government and nonprofit capacity to manage production, and regulatory limitations on local transmission. Interruption of Regional Food Supply – Many food items travel hundreds if not thousands of miles before they reach the North Country consumer. A recent NH food security study mentioned that the average supermarket is only stocked for three days before food shortages start occurring. As energy, transportation, commodity costs continue to rise throughout the world, the risk to the region’s access to an affordably imported food supply may grow. Reduction in the Number of Community Banks - Community banks are important players in the local community and economy. As banks become larger and their decision-making becomes more distant, rural like the North Country could suffer for it.
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VII. 2013 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The following goals were developed under supervision of the NCC CEDS Committee in 2011 and are still valid. The steering committee decided not to list the goals in any order of priority in order to provide more flexibility in meeting community needs. Measurable objectives and action steps will be developed.
The North Country Wisely Uses Its Alternative and Renewable Resource Base To Generate Energy And Heat For Community And Regional Economic Benefits. . Rationale: The decline of the pulp and paper industry and higher energy costs (among other factors) have increased interest in alternative and renewable energy production. Our forest resource is one of our greatest competitive advantages, and the need to use that resource sustainably has recently been brought into focus by wood supply and availability studies. There is also a recognition that efficiency and other local economic benefits can be increased by capturing heat (i.e., cogeneration, district heating), and using a greater share of the energy locally to economize on transmission costs. Distribution and transmission costs are currently an issue. It is widely recognized that some existing regulations and policies may need to be reviewed and adapted.
Raw Agricultural And Forest Products Are Processed To The Maximum Value-Added Potential At North Country Facilities. . Rationale: Higher value-added means higher productivity and wages by processing raw materials into finished goods, rather than exporting raw resources out of the region for only a fraction of their value . For all that can be said about the paper 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. Simple logs sold by a landowner for $125 per thousand feet when sawed into lumber are worth at least 3 times more (or $350 per thousand feet) (INRS 2007).
The North Country Communities Increase The Number And Improve The Quality Of Jobs While Protecting Rural Character And Heritage. . Rationale: The North Country has fewer living wage jobs, lower average wages, more part-time, seasonal, and multi-job holders than the rest of the state. Not only does this affect households, but ability of entire communities to provide essential municipal services. While more high paying jobs with better benefits are wanted, there is also a widespread desire to “protect rural character” as defined by many of our communities’ Master Plans.
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Regional Competitiveness Is Improved Due To North Country Infrastructure Investments In Transportation, Schools, Sewer And Water, Telecommunications, And Other Hard Infrastructure. . Rationale: Much of our core infrastructure including roads, schools, sewer and water was built over 50 years ago and is in need of replacement or major rehabilitation. At the same time, new investments in telecommunications are essential to regional competitiveness.
Regional Competitiveness Is Improved Due To North Country Public And Private Investments In The Regional Education And Health Systems. . Rationale: In today’s knowledge economy, both hard and soft infrastructure is crucial to economic performance. The region’s education and health systems are not only crucial to our quality of life but are expected to continue to lead both in the number and growth of high wage jobs throughout the region.
North Country Public And Private Investment In Job Training Across All Industries Is Made To Boost Competitiveness. . Rationale: Economic development is workforce development, not just infrastructure and finance anymore. Whether you refer to our national economic transformation as the new information, knowledge, creative, or networked economy, workforce is now the key factor of production.
The North Country Creates And Nurtures An Entrepreneurial Business Environment. . Rationale: A famous economist by the name of Schumpeter once described the cycle of “creative destruction” where some firms go out of business and new firms rise to take their place. One characteristic of the creative economy is that these cycles happen more rapidly based on innovations made throughout the world. With the increasing turnover of firms, innovators and entrepreneurs are crucial to regional economic prosperity.
The North Country Realizes New Economic Diversification Opportunities. . Rationale: It is widely accepted that economic diversification results in more resilient and stronger regional economies. The North Country has experienced a huge decline in manufacturing over the last 50 years with no new major industries taking its place which has resulted in the region being more dependent on fewer industries. The expansion of high-end service jobs and the energy industry may be two of the top economic diversification opportunities.
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The North Country Expands Partnerships, Marketing Efforts And Other Coordination Initiatives Across The Region Among Nonprofits And Private Industry Groups. . Rationale: Economies of scale among clustered and networked industries, and scarce resources among nonprofits (including leadership, and volunteer time) necessitate collaborative approaches to economic development. Regional branding and marketing efforts have become especially important in differentiating products and services in a very busy world.
The North Country Is A Working Landscape Of Successful Farms And Actively Managed And Productive Forestland In Which Soil, Water, And Related Natural Resources Are Conserved Using Sustainable Practices. . Rationale: A working landscape reflects the preservation of open space through support of natural resource industries and is one essence of rural character. In a natural resource dependent economy, it is especially important to manage resources for long-term gains.
Support the creation and maintenance of an adequate supply of decent, safe, sanitary rental and for-sale housing which is convenient and affordable for working families and located in a wide variety of the region’s communities. Encourage strong home ownership patterns which strengthen communities and help families to build assets.
. Rationale: Good affordable housing is an essential community need reflecting past economic development performance and future prospects for growth.
Strategic Planning Definitions to Discuss
CEDS Vision: Desired future end state
CEDS Goal: Broad statements of our vision to begin defining action
CEDS Strategy: Means of implementing Goals
CEDS Objectives: Specific measurable activities or programs to accomplish a short-term result
CEDS Action: Specific task to accomplish objectives
CEDS Project in Planning: Project or program to make progress toward CEDS objectives or goals.
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VIII. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
NCC will implement its economic development program by fully utilizing the organization’s resources but will also seek to create partnerships with other public and private groups at local, state, and federal. The primary resources that NCC will use include:
A. NCC CEDS Committee The CEDS Committee is the advisory and guidance arm for the North Country Council economic development program. It is also the convened body of representatives from many of the interests that have a stake in the complex issues in the region. They oversee and approve the CEDS document and its project priority list. They provide a forum and a means to unify the region through spheres of influence and program development. The economic development committee is also a vehicle to develop industry-centered approaches to regional issues. Last, but not least, it is the body that will forge strategic alliances and communicate regional needs and opportunities;
B. Staff and Resources of NCC The staff of North Country Council is the eyes, ears, hands and feet for regional action. NCC staff are empowered by the 2013 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and equipped with their own expertise. The Council regularly uses consultants to provide additional expertise and capacity to address regional economic development concerns;
C. NCC Board of Directors The Board of Directors of the Council is the leadership of the region. It is the Board’s responsibility to be the “barometer” of the region’s needs, issues and social/political climate. They are the Council’s network into and out of the subregions. Most importantly, the Board of Directors provides the policy direction for the region.
D. NCC Development Principles NCC will endeavor to use the following strategies and principals to guide the implementation of its 2013 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. 1. The Region’s 8 major service center communities will be the primary focus of the Regional Economic Development Program.
2. Regional heritage and culture shall be bolstered in all economic development plans and projects.
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3. The regional economic development program must balance community development, civic leadership, environmental constraints, industrial development opportunities and private sector collaboration.
4. Economic development activities should add value to the community and the region either in labor force ability, capacity, raw materials processing, product diversity or existing business expansion/development.
5. Development of a community capacity shall be a very high priority; particular attention will be paid to private sector financing, entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and project development.
6. Particular emphasis will be placed on small scale - niche manufacturing using regional resources.
7. Emphasis will be placed on the development of main streets, downtowns and villages as community economic engines and cultural resources.
8. Economic development efforts will attempt to expose the millions of annual visitors in the region to all parts of the North Country, to keep them from concentrating in a few areas.
9. Low impact tourism will be a focus for the communities in the region that are not growth centers or development target areas.
10. Regional economic development activities will be conducted with an understanding of and respect for the roles of the public, private and not- for-profit sectors.
E. EDA Public Works Project Selection Process The Board of Directors of the North Country Council is the policy body for the economic development district. The Board of Directors establishes regional planning priorities and land use policy positions. It also represents the regional commission’s positions on regulatory issues and in intergovernmental affairs. Last, but not least, the Board of Directors has the last word on all project priority listings in the region for transportation and economic development
Projects may be brought to the CEDS Committee by a variety of unrestricted sources. A local representative or a local citizen may recommend a project to the Council. A CEDS Committee member or an elected or appointed local official may also recommend a project. All completed project profiles shall be reviewed by Council staff for timeliness, feasibility, cost effectiveness, accuracy of cost estimates and identification of roadblocks. Staff will then present a summary recommendation to the CEDS Committee. The Committee then makes decisions as to whether or not to make the project a priority in the current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The NCC Board, to date, has always followed
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the CEDS committee’s recommendations, and does not take an active role in the decision-making process.
The CEDS Committee shall use the following criteria in the establishment of project priority: A. Preparedness of the applicant to document appropriate matching funds and undertake the project immediately.
B. Amount of match funds being leveraged by the EDA grant.
C. Critical importance of EDA funding in the project funding mix.
D. Cumulative financial impact of the project on the community and the region.
E. EDA history in the community -- in particular, when was the last time the community had an EDA grant?
F. The degree to which the project will address or solve a chronic or debilitating problem in the community that is hindering the long-term improvement of community opportunity.
G. The degree to which the project will solve an environmental problem or bring the town into compliance with an applicable federal or state standard.
To be included in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy project priority list must meet two threshold criteria: (1) they must have a sufficient level of detail to permit them to have a budget assigned to them, and (2) they must be at a sufficient level of maturity to insure that they can be implemented in two years.
The CEDS Committee will reestablish the project priority and projects in planning lists in the 2014 update.
Projects that have exceeded their two-year timeframe on the CEDS Project Priority List shall be included in the Council’s projects- in-planning list. The projects-in-planning list shall also include those projects that may not yet be mature enough to meet the threshold criteria. Projects may be pulled off the planning list and put on the project priority list at any time. There is no limit on how long a project may stay on the projects-in-planning list.
F. Approach to Analyzing Change and Evaluating Implementation The Council will use three approaches to measure our impact on the region and review our success (or failure) in carrying out the goals identified in this 2013
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Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The three approaches are as follows:
1. Project Priority List - With the annual update of this 2013 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, in 2014 the Council will be vigilant of the speed in which public works projects and planning projects move from priority listing to completion.
2. Bi-Monthly Economic Development Committee Meetings –Six times per year the Council will convene the economic development steering committee. Meetings will consist of a series of reports from the various members of the committee and/or special guests, updating the Council and the region on the various trends and issues in their industry or organization relative to the region and the state/nation.
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IX. PROJECT PRIORITY AND PROJECTS IN PLANNING
The CEDS Committee will reestablish the project priority and projects in planning lists in the 2014 update.
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Appendices
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Appendix 1
EDA Funded Projects
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EDA Funded Projects 1966-2013
Amount Town Program Year Project Description Applicant Name Funded
Berlin Public Works 1966 184,889 Water City of Berlin
Berlin Other 1968 29,920 Vocational High School City of Berlin
Berlin Public Works 1974 1,429,200 Water Treatment & Filtration Plant City of Berlin
Berlin Public Works 1974 64,000 Airport Improvements City of Berlin
Berlin Public Works 1976 63,180 Industrial Park City of Berlin
Berlin EA IMP 1977 57,677 Title IX Development Grant City of Berlin
Berlin LPW 1977 1,295,000 Reconstruct E. Milan Rd. City of Berlin
Berlin LPW 1977 264,000 School Renovations City of Berlin
Revolving Loan Berlin 1979 750,000 establish RLF City of Berlin Fund
Berlin Public Works 1980 600,000 Improve CBD Area City of Berlin
Working Capital for Roller Skate American Skate Berlin DFP LN 1980 1,152,077 Mfg Corp.
Berlin EA IMF 1980 1,845,000 Construct South Bridge City of Berlin
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Revolving Loan Berlin 1980 500,000 Phase 2 RLF City of Berlin Fund
Berlin Public Works 1983 500,000 Install Water Main City of Berlin
Berlin Public Works 1984 434,000 Incubator Building/Industrial Park City of Berlin
Berlin Public Works 1999 900,000 Water Storage Facility City of Berlin
Planning City of Berlin/Town Berlin/Regional 2001 200,000 Formation of AVER Sudden/Severe of Gorham Technical Mt. Agassiz Bethlehem 1966 16,000 Management Assistance Assistance Recreation Area Technical White Mt Museum Bethlehem 1975 44,725 Feasibility Study Assistance for History CT Valley Hospital Colebrook Public Works 1968 1,126,093 Construction 36 Bed Hospital Assoc
Colebrook LPW 1977 142,000 Water Main Construction Town of Colebrook
Colebrook LPW 1977 447,000 Reservoir and Water Lines Town of Colebrook
Colebrook Public Works 1997 1,000,000 Wastewater Treatment Plant Town of Colebrook
Colebrook Public Works 2010 1,397,600 Flood Mitigation Town of Colebrook
Conway LPW 1977 227,000 Incinerator Rehab Town of Conway
Working Capital Specialty Casting Kearsage Conway DFP LN 1980 1,000,065 Co Mettallurgical
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Technical Franconia Mfg. Franconia 1972 2,499 Draft Environmental Statement Assistance Corp. Technical Franconia Mfg. Franconia 1972 9,624 Appraisal of Facility Assistance Corp. Technical Franconia Mfg. Franconia 1972 9,736 Feasibility Study Assistance Corp.
Gorham LPW 1977 513,000 D-Storm Drains/Pipe Town of Gorham+
Gorham LPW 1977 314,985 I-Water Lines and Pipe Town of Gorham+
Gorham Planning 2000 25,000 Hazards Mitigation Planning Town of Gorham
Technical Haverhill 1978 22,000 Preliminary Engineering Study Town of Haverhill Assistance Municipal Sewer Ext. of Business Haverhill Public Works 1996 950,000 Town of Haverhill Park
Jackson Planning 2000 25,000 Water System Planning Town of Jackson
Technical Lancaster Fire Lancaster 1967 758 Water System Improvement Assistance Precinct
Lancaster Public Works 1969 236,573 Lateral Swg/Stm Separation Town of Lancaster
Construction Sewers and SWG Lancaster Other 1970 100,000 Town of Lancaster Treatment
Lancaster LPW 1977 165,000 Sewer Line Construction Town of Lancaster
Lancaster LPW 1977 120,000 Addition to Town Garage Town of Lancaster
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Lancaster LPW 1977 171,000 Addition to Town Garage Town of Lancaster
Lancaster LPW 1977 90,000 Town Office Renovations Town of Lancaster
Lancaster Public Works 1995 1,500,000 Lancaster, Water/Sewer Sys. Town of Lancaster
Lancaster Planning 2001 27,000 Hazards Mitigation Planning Town of Lancaster
Lincoln Public Works 1966 1,750,000 Water/Sewer/Waste Treatment Town of Lincoln
Lincoln Public Works 1968 221,000 Sewer/Sewage/Waste Treatment Town of Lincoln
Lincoln Public Works 1973 60,543 Construction of Medical Building Town of Lincoln
Lisbon LPW 1977 299,557 Stor Reservoir Construction Lisbon Grafton NH
Littleton Public Works 1976 175,800 Industrial Park Town of Littleton
Littleton LPW 1977 324,000 Sewer System Town of Littleton
Littleton LPW 1977 76,000 Resurface Streets and Roads Town of Littleton
Littleton Public Works 1982 500,000 Extend Water/Sewer System Town of Littleton
Technical Littleton 1986 15,000 Industrial Park Access Road Study Town of Littleton Assistance
Littleton Public Works 1994 1,500,000 Littleton IP Expansion Town of Littleton
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Sudden and Littleton 2000 25,000 Response to Hitchiner Town of Littleton Severe Sudden and Littleton 2002 50,000 Hitchiner Closing Strategy Littleton Severe Technical Berlin Municipal Milan 1969 13,970 Feasibility Airport Industrial Park Assistance Airport Authority
Milan LPW 1977 246,920 Addition to School Milan School District
Milan LPW 1977 238,000 Construct Municipal Building Town of Milan
North Conway Water North Conway Public Works 1994 1,500,000 Wastewater Treatment Plant Precinct Northumberland Northumberland LPW 1977 380,796 School Addition School District Economic North Country Northumberland 2011 150,000 Mill Reuse Adjustment Council Plymouth Village Plymouth Public Works 1967 138,500 Sewage Collection Fire District Plymouth Village Plymouth Public Works 1967 154,285 Sewage Treatment Fire District Technical Plymouth Village Plymouth 1967 1,107 Sewer/System Treatment Plant Assistance Fire District
Plymouth Public Works 2012 781,250 Enterprise Center at Plymouth GCEDC
Technical Office Public Regional 1972 37,965 Water Quality Study Assistance Works/EDA State of New Regional Public Works 1976 640,000 Railroad Rehabilitation Hampshire
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North Country Regional Planning 1979 37,900 Planning Continuation Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1979 950 Planning Supplemental Council North Country Regional Planning 1979 25,000 Planning Supplemental Council North Country Regional Planning 1980 41,700 District Continuation Planning Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1981 41,700 District Continuation Planning Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1982 19,500 Mkts/Rail FAC Council North Country Regional Planning 1982 20,850 District Continuation Planning Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1982 20,850 District Continuation Planning Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1983 9,799 District Continuation Planning Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1983 31,901 District Continuation Planning Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1984 45,000 District Continuation Planning Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1985 45,000 District Continuation Planning Grant Council Technical North Country Regional 1986 20,000 Ind. Marketing Workshop Assistance Council North Country Regional Planning 1986 45,000 Planning Continuation Grant Council
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North Country Regional Planning 1987 45,000 Planning Continuation Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1988 45,000 Planning Continuation Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1989 45,000 Planning Continuation Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1990 45,000 Planning Continuation Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1991 45,000 Planning Continuation Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1992 56,000 Planning Continuation Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1993 55,000 Planning Continuation Grant Council North Country Regional Planning 1994 57,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 1995 57,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 1996 52,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 1997 78,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 1998 52,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 1999 52,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2000 52,000 Planning Council
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North Country Regional Planning 2000 25,000 Supplemental Planning Council American Heritage CT River North Country Regional Planning 2000 75,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2001 52,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2002 52,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2003 52,000 Planning Council Town of Conway Regional Public Facilities 2003 1,500,000 Mt. Washington Valley Tech. Village and MWVEC North Country Regional Planning 2004 52,000 Planning Council North Country Regional Public Facilities 2004 3,150,000 Dartmouth Regional Tech. Center Council and GCEDC North Country Regional Planning 2005 57,000 CEDS Planning Council Econ Northern Forest Economic NCC and Northern Regional 2005 $800,000 Adjustment Adjustment Forest Center North Country Regional Planning 2006 52,000 CEDS Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2007 60,000 CEDS Planning Council Economic North Country Regional 2007 319,000 5-Year Action Plan-Coos I Adjustment Council Public Works- Regional 2007 300,000 Regional Broadband Engineering NCIC Eng only
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Economic North Country Regional 2008 643,900 Coos II Adjustment Council North Country Regional Planning 2008 60,000 CEDS Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2009 70,000 CEDS Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2010 70,000 CEDS Planning Council
Regional Public Works 2010 4,333,786 DRTC II GCEDC & NCC
Regional Public Works 2010 1,900,000 DRED Cell Tower upgrades NH DRED
North Country Regional Planning 2011 70,000 CEDS Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2012 70,000 CEDS Planning Council North Country Regional Planning 2013 60,000 CEDS Planning Council Technical North Countyr Regional 2013 300,000 Disaster Resiliency Assistance Council Sargent's State of New LPW 1977 800,000 SCN Observatory Building Purchase Hampshire
Stratford LPW 1977 154,188 Fire Station Construction Stratford Coos NH
Public Works- Littleton, Bethlehem, Tri-town 2006 $545,000 Tri-town Industrial Park Eng only Lisbon W. LPW 1977 282,000 Prison Renovations Coos County Stewartstown
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Waterville DFP LN 1966 1,300,000 Year-Round Recreation Complex Waterville Comp Inc
Waterville DFP GU 1966 90,000 WC Waterville Co Waterville Comp Inc
Technical Waterville 1966 24,555 Operations Assistance Waterville Comp Inc Assistance Working Capital for Waterville Waterville DFP GU 1968 180,000 Waterville Comp Inc Comp Inc
Whitefield Other 1968 63,834 Airport Runway Town of Whitefield
Whitefield LPW 1977 200,000 Construction of Fire Station Town of Whitefield
Whitefield Public Works 1983 705,232 Develop Air Industrial Park Town of Whitefield
Whitefield Public Works 2000 452,000 Water/Sewer Town of Whitefield
Woodstock Public Works 1973 392,655 Sewage Collection System Town of Woodstock
Woodstock Public Works 2001 600,000 Sewer Extension Town of Woodstock
Total EDA Updated November $50,285,594 Funds 2013
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Appendix 2
White Mountain National Forest Town and County Acreage
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Appendix 3
Water Systems Serving Over 500
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Carroll County Community Water Systems Serving Over 500
System Name Town System Category Populatio Connection n Served s
WILDWOOD DEV ALBANY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 123 49 PIPER MEADOWS PRIVATE COMMUNTY ALBANY MOBILE HOME PARK 125 50 BARTLETT VILLAGE PCT BARTLETT MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 625 250 LOWER BARTLETT WATER PCT BARTLETT LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 3570 1244 NORTH LEDGE BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 110 44 LINDERHOF GOLF COURSE BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 295 118 RIVERSBEND BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 38 15 RIVERSIDE COBB FARM BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 63 25 COW HILL WELLHOUSE BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 150 60 RIVER RUN CONDOS BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 750 360 BLUEBERRY VILLAGE CONDOS BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 40 16 CRAWFORD HILLS BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 118 47 TOP NOTCH CONDOS BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 163 65 MOUNTAINSIDE ON ATTITASH BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 167 61 BARTLETT PLACE BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 72 29 VILLAGGIO BIANCO BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 58 23 NORDIC VILLAGE BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 315 126 WHISPERING BROOK BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 30 12 CRAWFORD POND BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 58 23 BEAR VILLAGE SOUTH BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 30 12 GOODRICH PROPERTY BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 175 70 SUGARWOOD ON THE SACO BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 30 12 EAGLE RIDGE RESORT BARTLETT CONDOMINIUMS 270 108 STILLINGS GRANT BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 93 33 BEARFOOT CREEK BARTLETT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 25 10 CONWAY VILLAGE FIRE DIST CONWAY MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 2665 890 NORTH CONWAY WATER PCT CONWAY MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 5127 2051
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PEU/BIRCH HILL EAST CONWAY LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 483 212 CATHEDRAL LEDGE CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 150 60 ECHO LAKE WOODS CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 112 45 FOREST EDGE CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 118 47 FOREST PARK VILLAGE CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 45 18 REBECCA LANE WATER SYS CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 140 56 NORTH PINES CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 67 27 SACO RIVER FOREST CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 65 24 WOODLAND GROVE CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 180 72 SOUTH PINES CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 70 28 DEERBROOK CONDOS CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 80 32 OAKWOOD HEIGHTS CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 50 20 SACO PINES CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 50 20 BROOK VIEW VILLAGE CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 40 16 CEDAR CREEK CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 105 42 NEAR LEDGE CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 63 25 MELODY PINES CONDOS CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 125 50 ROCKHOUSE MOUNTAIN CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 255 101 SACO WOODS CONDOS CONWAY CONDOMINIUMS 240 96 DAVIS HILL CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 75 30 HALE ESTATES CONWAY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 90 36 MOUNTAIN VALE VILLAGE MHP CONWAY MOBILE HOME PARK 388 155 LAKEVIEW NEUROREHAB CTR EFFINGHAM RESIDENT HOMES (NURSING, GROUP, LIVE IN) 280 14 LOST VALLEY EFFINGHAM SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 350 72 18 HUGHES LN/EFFINGHAM EFFINGHAM APARTMENTS 60 24 FREEDOM VILLAGE WATER PRECINCT FREEDOM MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 163 67 LOV WATER FREEDOM SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 538 215 PINE LANDING CONDOS FREEDOM CONDOMINIUMS 50 20 FREEDOM VILLAGE CONDOS FREEDOM CONDOMINIUMS 165 66 HALES LOCATION HALES LOCATION SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 385 94 JACKSON WATER PCT JACKSON MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 500 207
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MT JEFFERSON/WASHINGTON CONDOS JACKSON CONDOMINIUMS 38 15 ELLIS RIVER VILLAGE JACKSON CONDOMINIUMS 35 14 BLACK MOUNTAIN MEADOW CONDOS JACKSON CONDOMINIUMS 43 17 HIGH PASTURES AT BLACK MTN JACKSON CONDOMINIUMS 45 18 EAGLE BROOK JACKSON CONDOMINIUMS 60 24 TYROL WELL A JACKSON SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 43 17 VILLAGE DISTRICT OF EIDELWEISS MADISON LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 1050 420 SILVER LAKE LANDING SR HOUSING MADISON SENIOR HOUSING 25 20 BROOKWOOD PARK MADISON SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 50 20 MOULTONBOROUG PARADISE SHORES H MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 1881 753 MOULTONBOROUG FAR ECHO HARBOR H SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 200 80 MOULTONBOROUG WEST POINT H SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 93 37 MOULTONBOROUG JONATHANS LANDING CONDOS H CONDOMINIUMS 158 63 MOULTONBOROUG LANDS END H CONDOMINIUMS 50 20 MOULTONBOROUG WINDWARD HARBOR CONDOS H CONDOMINIUMS 90 36 MOULTONBOROUG HARBOURSIDE ON WINNIPESAUKEE H CONDOMINIUMS 40 16 MOULTONBOROUG KILNWOOD ON KANASATKA H SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 55 22 MOULTONBOROUG WENTWORTH ACRES H SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 88 35 MOULTONBOROUG CROSSWINDS H SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 73 29 MOULTONBOROUG STANYAN ROAD H SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 113 45 OSSIPEE WATER DEPT OSSIPEE MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 850 325 BLUFFS AT OSSIPEE LAKE OSSIPEE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 258 103 INDIAN MOUND SHOPPING CENTER OSSIPEE APARTMENTS 40 16 INDIAN MOUND GOLF CLUB OSSIPEE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 225 90
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POLAND BROOK WOODS OSSIPEE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 46 17 DEER COVE WATER OSSIPEE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 123 49 PINE GROVE APARTMENTS OSSIPEE APARTMENTS 38 15 OSSIPEE MOUNTAINS ESTATES OSSIPEE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 255 102 SANDY RIDGE ESTATES OSSIPEE MOBILE HOME PARK 125 50 CARROLL COUNTY COMPLEX OSSIPEE SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 210 37 TAMWORTH WATER WORKS TAMWORTH SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 265 60 MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATES TAMWORTH SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 38 15 WHITE LAKE ESTATES TAMWORTH SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 250 100 REMICK ACRES TAMWORTH SENIOR HOUSING 60 24 CHOCORUA WOODS TAMWORTH APARTMENTS 16 15 CHOCORUA MEADOWS TAMWORTH CONDOMINIUMS 53 21 TAMWORTH MOBILE HOME PARK TAMWORTH MOBILE HOME PARK 75 30 TAMWORTH PINES TAMWORTH MOBILE HOME PARK 138 55 HIDDEN VALLEY/MASON TUFTONBORO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 253 101 WINMIIR CONDOS TUFTONBORO CONDOMINIUMS 45 18 NORTH COUNTRY VILLAGE TUFTONBORO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 143 57 SANBORNVILLE WATER DEPT WAKEFIELD LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 1500 410 BEVERLY HILLS WATER WAKEFIELD SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 120 48 WAKEFIELD ACRES WAKEFIELD APARTMENTS 30 18 MICHAWANIC VILLAGE CONDOS WAKEFIELD CONDOMINIUMS 120 48 WOLFEBORO WATER AND SEWER WOLFEBORO MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 5750 2300 WENTWORTH ESTATES WOLFEBORO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 50 23 POINT BREEZE CONDOS WOLFEBORO CONDOMINIUMS 113 46 SHERWOOD FOREST WOLFEBORO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 55 22 BIRCH HILL ESTATES WOLFEBORO SENIOR HOUSING 159 106
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Coos County Community Water Systems Serving Over 500
System Name Town System Category Population Connections Served
BERLIN WATER WORKS BERLIN MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 9500 3438 NORTHERN NH CORRECTIONAL FAC BERLIN PRIVATELY OWNED REDISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 560 1 CARROLL WATER WORKS CARROLL MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 875 350 ROSEBROOK WATER CARROLL LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 1050 405 COLEBROOK WATER WORKS COLEBROOK LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 1200 480 MOUNTAIN VIEW PARK ESTATES COLUMBIA MOBILE HOME PARK 45 18 ERROL WATER WORKS/WEST ERROL SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 175 70 GORHAM WATER AND SEWER DEPT GORHAM MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 2630 1052 GORHAM HILL SPRING GORHAM LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 55 22 LANCASTER WATER DEPT LANCASTER MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 2450 975 BOBS MOBILE HOME PARK MILAN MOBILE HOME PARK 55 22 GROVETON WATER SYS NORTHUMBERLAND MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 2650 765 LOST NATION WATER NORTHUMBERLAND SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 63 25 PITTSBURG WATER DEPT PITTSBURG SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 198 79 W STEWARTSTOWN WATER PCT STEWARTSTOWN SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 125 100 NORTHERN VIEW APARTMENTS STEWARTSTOWN APARTMENTS 50 20 COOS COUNTY FARM STEWARTSTOWN SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 228 6 NORTH STRATFORD WATER DEPT STRATFORD MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 300 109 PLEASANT VALLEY PARK ESTATES STRATFORD MOBILE HOME PARK 65 26 NORTH STRATFORD MHP STRATFORD MOBILE HOME PARK 50 20 WHITEFIELD WATER WHITEFIELD LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 1500 600
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Grafton County Community Water Systems Serving Over 500
System Name Town System Category Population Connections Served
LEDGES AT NEWFOUND LAKE ALEXANDRIA CONDOMINIUMS 160 64 ASHLAND WATER DEPT ASHLAND MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 1500 570 ROPEWALK SERVICES ASHLAND CONDOMINIUMS 290 124 VILLAGE AT RIVERBEND ASHLAND CONDOMINIUMS 258 104 BATH VILLAGE WATER WORKS BATH SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 95 33 GLENCLIFF HOME FOR THE ELDERLY BENTON RESIDENT HOMES (NURSING, GROUP, LIVE IN) 230 11 BETHLEHEM VILLAGE DIST BETHLEHEM MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 1700 500 WHITE MOUNTAIN SCH BETHLEHEM PRIVATELY OWNED REDISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 150 10 WHITTEMORE SHORES BRIDGEWATER CONDOMINIUMS 130 52 NEWFOUND ACRES MHP BRIDGEWATER MOBILE HOME PARK 26 15 WHIP O WILL CONDOS BRIDGEWATER CONDOMINIUMS 45 18 BRISTOL WATER WORKS BRISTOL MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 3327 1331 REDSUN WATER BRISTOL PRIVATELY OWNED REDISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 218 87 CAMPTON VILLAGE PCT CAMPTON LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 595 238 WATERVILLE ESTATE VLG DIST/W CAMPTON LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 1250 500 BEEBE RIVER CAMPTON SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 63 25 TRIPPLEWOOD RESORT CONDOS CAMPTON CONDOMINIUMS 60 24 DEER RUN CAMPTON SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 148 59 BECKET HOUSE AT CAMPTON CAMPTON DORMITORIES, BOARDING SCHOOLS, COLLEGES 25 2 VALLEY VIEW CONDOS CAMPTON CONDOMINIUMS 25 10 RED SLEIGH CONDOS CAMPTON CONDOMINIUMS 33 13 COACHMAN CONDOS CAMPTON CONDOMINIUMS 50 20 CHESLEYS MHP CAMPTON MOBILE HOME PARK 60 24 SIX FLAGS MHP CAMPTON MOBILE HOME PARK 240 96
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CANAAN WATER DEPT CANAAN MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 600 192 COUNTRY VILLAGE MHP CANAAN MOBILE HOME PARK 50 20 PLEASANT VALLEY MHP CANAAN MOBILE HOME PARK 73 29 CARDIGAN MOUNTAIN SCH CANAAN DORMITORIES, BOARDING SCHOOLS, COLLEGES 300 23 ENFIELD WATER DEPT ENFIELD MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 1345 460 LAKEVIEW CONDOS ENFIELD CONDOMINIUMS 328 131 WILSONS MHP ENFIELD MOBILE HOME PARK 58 23 DANIELS ACRES ENFIELD MOBILE HOME PARK 136 54 LOWER SHAKER VILLAGE ENFIELD SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 263 105 FRANCONIA VILLAGE WATER FRANCONIA LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 427 227 MITTERSILL WATER DEPT FRANCONIA LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 475 112 HANOVER WATER DEPT HANOVER MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 8500 2100 PRECINCT OF HAVERHILL CORNER HAVERHILL LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 540 192 NO HAVERHILL WATER AND LIGHT HAVERHILL LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 675 270 WOODSVILLE WATER AND LIGHT HAVERHILL MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 2000 598 MOUNTAIN LAKES WATER DEPT HAVERHILL SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 787 320 FRENCH POND ESTATES HAVERHILL SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 25 10 GRAFTON COUNTY COMPLEX HAVERHILL PRIVATELY OWNED REDISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 25 9 OLIVERIAN SCH HAVERHILL DORMITORIES, BOARDING SCHOOLS, COLLEGES 76 6 STONEGATE ACRES HEBRON SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 63 25 HILLSIDE INN CONDOS HEBRON CONDOMINIUMS 65 26 HIGHLAND LINKS COLONY HOLDERNESS CONDOMINIUMS 88 35 TOWN LINE VILLAGE HOLDERNESS MOBILE HOME PARK 193 77 HOLDERNESS SCH HOLDERNESS PRIVATELY OWNED REDISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 350 22 LEBANON WATER DEPT LEBANON MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 10050 3406 MASCOMA MEADOWS LEBANON MOBILE HOME PARK 125 50 OLYMPIC MOBILE HOME VILL/UPPER LEBANON MOBILE HOME PARK 48 24 CURRIERS MHP LEBANON MOBILE HOME PARK 24 18 OLYMPIC MOBILE HOME VILL/LOWER LEBANON MOBILE HOME PARK 32 16 LINCOLN WATER WORKS LINCOLN MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 2750 1800 LISBON WATER DEPT LISBON LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 1050 420
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LITTLETON WATER AND LIGHT DEPT LITTLETON MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 6010 1680 LYME WATER LYME SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 283 34 POND VIEW APARTMENTS LYME APARTMENTS 38 15 MONROE WATER DEPT MONROE LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 300 168 ORFORD VILLAGE DIST ORFORD SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 128 51 PLYMOUTH VIL WATER AND SEWER PLYMOUTH MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 6300 985 TENNEY BROOK II PLYMOUTH CONDOMINIUMS 228 91 TENNEY BROOK CONDOS I PLYMOUTH CONDOMINIUMS 90 36 WHIP O WILL PLYMOUTH MOBILE HOME PARK 165 66 HAWTHORNE VILLAGE RUMNEY CONDOMINIUMS 55 22 175 ESTATES THORNTON SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 110 44 NORTHPOINTE WATER THORNTON SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES 83 33 MOUNTAIN RIVER CONDOS THORNTON CONDOMINIUMS 60 24 MOUNTAIN RIVER CONDOS EAST THORNTON CONDOMINIUMS 200 80 TAME THORNTON MOBILE HOME PARK 53 21 WHITE MOUNTAIN RESORT/GATEWAY THORNTON APARTMENTS 208 83 WATERVILLE ACRES CONDOS THORNTON CONDOMINIUMS 50 20 STAR RIDGE THORNTON CONDOMINIUMS 60 48 BIRCH BEND THORNTON CONDOMINIUMS 28 11 CONE RIDGE APTS THORNTON APARTMENTS 30 12 MILLSBROOK VILLAGE THORNTON CONDOMINIUMS 93 37 SUNSET RIDGE THORNTON PRIVATELY OWNED REDISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 25 10 OWLS NEST GOLF CLUB AND CONDOS THORNTON CONDOMINIUMS 261 37 GLENCLIFF IMPROVEMENT WARREN SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 50 20 SOUTH MAIN STREET WATER DIST WARREN SMALL CWS (<1000 POP & NO FIRE PROTECT) 200 42 WATERVILLE WATERVILLE VALLEY WATER DIST VLY LARGE CWS (>1000 POP OR FIRE PROTECTION) 3050 1220 WOODSTOCK WATER DEPT WOODSTOCK MAJOR CWS (>1500 POP OR SURFACE SUPPLY) 2475 990 JACK O LANTERN CONDOS WOODSTOCK CONDOMINIUMS 98 39 Source: http://www2.des.state.nh.us/DESOnestop/BasicSearch.aspx (Search of NH DES OneStop Data, Public Water Systems, Community)
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Appendix 4
Wastewater Treatment Facilities
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Physical WWTF Operator WWTF Operator FACILITY Address Town/City Name Phone BATH SEPTIC SYSTEM Bath BERLIN WASTEWATER 10 Shelby Street Berlin Henry Noel (603) 752-8563 BETHLEHEM WASTEWATER Maple Street Bethlehem Terrence Welch (603) 837-9571 BEEDE RIVER WASTEWATER Campton MT WASHINGTON HOTEL WASTEWATER Route 302 Carroll Nancy Oleson (603) 837-2332 COLEBROOK WASTEWATER Off Route 3 Colebrook April Hyde (603) 237-8019 CONWAY WASTEWATER VFW Street Conway Roy Knight (603) 447-3376 DALTON COLLECTION SYSTEM Dalton FRANCONIA NOTCH ST PARK Cannon WASTEWATER Mountain Franconia Jeff Porter (603) 823-5563 GLENCLIFF HOME WASTEWATER Hill Pond Road Glencliff Paul Cardin (603) 989-3111 8 Lower Main GORHAM WASTEWATER Street Gorham Kurt Johnson (603) 466-3104 Off Eames Travis GROVETON WASTEWATER Street Groveton Wentworth (603) 636-1450 Travis NORTHUMBERLAND WASTEWATER Route 3 Groveton Wentworth (603) 636-1450 HAVERHILL COLLECTION SYSTEM Haverhill WOODSVILLE WASTEWATER Haverhill Patrick Butler (603) 747-3489 LANCASTER GRANGE WASTEWATER Grange Road Lancaster Tim Bilodeau (603) 915-1282 LANCASTER WASTEWATER Water Street Lancaster Tim Bilodeau (603) 915-1282 LANDAFF COLLECTION SYSTEM Landaff
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LINCOLN WASTEWATER 16 Recycle Way Lincoln Willis Wotton (603) 745-3829 LISBON WASTEWATER 620 Bath Road Lisbon Terrence Welch (603) 837-9571 323 Meadow LITTLETON WASTEWATER Street Littleton Dan Matthews (603) 444-5400 STRATFORD MILL HSE WASTEWATER Route 3 No. Stratford Chester Smart (603) 922-5256 STRATFORD VILLAGE WASTEWATER No. Stratford Chester Smart (603) 922-5256 LOST RIVER RES. WASTEWATER No. Woodstock Deb Manley (603) 745-8031 WOODSTOCK WASTEWATER Route 175 No. Woodstock Kathy Welch (603) 837-9571 Seavey Street - NORTH CONWAY WASTEWATER Off Route 16 North Conway Peter LaBonte (603) 356-5338 PITTSBURG WASTEWATER Pittsburg Peter Castine (603) 538-6777 PLYMOUTH VILLAGE WASTEWATER 53 South Street Plymouth Kirk Young (603) 536-2769 STEWARTSTOWN COLLECTION SYSTEM Stewartstown 11 Clearwater Waterville WATERVILLE VALLEY WASTEWATER Lane Valley Greg Campbell (603) 236-4781
BRETTON WOODS WASTEWATER Whitefield Nancy Oleson (603) 846-5464
WHITEFIELD WASTEWATER 376 Parker Road Whitefield Terrence Welch (603) 837-9571
CARROLL CTY HOME WASTEWATER Wayne MacBrian (603) 539-5622
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Appendix 5
Public Utilities
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Electric Company Address Telephone # Internet Information Name Tariffs are available on-line for those company names that are underlined. (See disclaimer above.) Granite State 11 Northeastern 1-800-375-7413 http://libertyutilities.com/
Electric Co Blvd east/electricity/ (d/b/a Liberty Salem NH Utilities) 03079
New England 25 Research Dr (508) 389-2000 www.nationalgrid.com/usa/ Power Co Westborough (A National MA 01582 Grid Company) NH Electric 579 Tenney (603) 536-1800 www.nhec.com
Cooperative Inc Mountain Hwy 1-800-698-2007 Plymouth NH 03264-3147 Public Service 780 N. (603) 669-4000 www.psnh.com
Co of NH Commercial 1-800-662-7764 Street 1-800-662-PSNH PO Box 330 Manchester NH From Outside NH 03105-0330 1-800-448-7764 Unitil Power 6 Liberty Lane (603) 772-0775 www.unitil.com Corporation West (a Unitil Hampton NH Company) 03842-1720
Gas Company Name Address Telephone # Internet Information Tariffs are available on-line for those company names that are underlined. (See disclaimer above.) EnergyNorth PO Box 1040 1-800-262-4111 http://libertyutilities.com/
Natural Gas, Inc. Northborough, MA east/gas/ (d/b/a Liberty 01532-4040 Utilities) New Hampshire 80 Pearl St (603) 352-1230
Gas Corporation P.O. Box 438 Keene NH 03431 Unitil / Northern 6 Liberty Lane West (508) 836-7000 www.unitil.com
Utilities Hampton NH 03842 1-800-552-3043
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Steam Company Name Address Telephone # Internet Information Tariffs are available on-line for those company names that are underlined. (See disclaimer above.)
Concord Steam 105 1/2 Pleasant Street (603) 224-1461 Concord NH 03301
Telecom - ILECs (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier) Company Name Address Telephone # Internet Information Tariffs are available on-line for those company names that are underlined. (See disclaimer above.) Bretton Woods Mount Washington (603) 278-9911 Telephone Co Place 34 Hannah Loop • Access Tariff Bretton Woods NH 03575 Dixville Telephone Rte 26 (603) 255-9911 Co Dixville Notch NH - Tariff No. 2 03576 - Tariff No. 3
• Access Tariff
FairPoint Ste 1923 1-866-984-2001 www.fairpoint.com
Communications 900 Elm St Manchester NH 03101 Granite State 600 S Stark Hwy (603) 529-9911 www.GraniteState
Telephone Inc. PO Box 87 Telephone.com Weare NH 03281 • Access Tariff
Hollis Telephone Co Route 101, Ste 104 (603) 465-9911 d/b/a TDS Telecom The Summit Executive Office • Rate Sheet 1 Chalet Dr • Access Tariff Wilton NH 03086
Kearsarge Telephone 173 Main St (603) 526-9911 www.tdstelecom.com Co New London NH d/b/a TDS Telecom 03257
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(Chichester, Kearsarge and Meriden)
• Rate Sheet • Access Tariff
Merrimack County 3 Kearsarge Ave (603) 746-9911 www.mctel.com/ Telephone Co Contoocook NH d/b/a TDS Telecom 03229
• Rate Sheet • Access Tariff
Northland Telephone 155 Gannett Drive, (207) 642-7351 Co So. Portland Me 1-800-455-5642 04016 • Access Tariff
Union Telephone Co 13 Central St (603) 859-3700 www.tdstelecom.com d/b/a TDS Telecom Farmington NH 03835 • Rate Sheet • Access Tariff
Wilton Telephone Co Route 101, Ste 104 (603) 654-9911 d/b/a TDS Telecom The Summit Executive Office 1 Chalet Dr • Rate Sheet Wilton NH 03086 • Access Tariff
Telecom Company Tariff Telephone # Internet Information Tariffs are available on-line for those company names that are underlined. (See disclaimer above.)
AT&T Custom Network Services General Customer www.att.com Inquiries:
• CTP Custom Network Services 1-800-222-0300
• Local Exchange Services
• Residential Local Exchange Service
• Grandfathered Services
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• Residential Long Distance
AccessPoint, Inc. Intrastate Access Tariff
ACN Communication Services, Inc
AT&T Corp. Intrastate Access Tariff
BCN Telecom, Inc
Birch Communications of the Northeast, Inc.
Broadview Networks Intrastate Access Tariff
Bullseye Telecom Intrastate Access Tariff
Charter Fiberlink NH
Choice One of New Hampshire, Inc. dba
EarthLink Business Intrastate Access Tariff Comcast Phone of New Hampshire, LLC
Intrastate Access Tariff Conversent Communications of New
Hampshire, LLC Intrastate Access Tariff CRC Communications LLC dba OTT
Communications Intrastate Access Tariff CTC Communications Corp. dba EarthLink
Business Intrastate Access Tariff
DSCI Corporation Intrastate Access Tariff
Freedom Ring Communications, LLC dba BayRing Communications Intrastate Access
Tariff
G4 Telecom NH, Inc. Intrastate Access Tariff
Granite Telecommunications
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Hypercube Telecom, LLC Intrastate Access
Tariff
IDT America Corp Access Tariff
IntelePeer, Inc. Intrastate Access Tariff
Level 3 Communications, LLC Intrastate
Access Tariff Lightship Telecom, LLC dba EarthLink
Business Intrastate Access Tariff
Matrix Telecom, Inc. Intrastate Access Tariff
MCImetro Access Transmission Services, LLC dba Verizon Access Transmission Services
Intrastate Access Tariff Metropolitan Telecommunications of New
Hampshire, Inc. Intrastate Access Tariff National Mobile Communications Corp. dba Sovernet Communications Intrastate Access
Tariff RNK, Inc. dba RNK Communications
Intrastate Access Tariff Teleport Communications America, LLC
Intrastate Access Tariffs
Time Warner Cable Information Services, LLC
Water Company Name Address Telephone # Internet Information Tariffs are available on-line for those company names that are underlined. (See disclaimer above.)
Aquarion Water 1 Merrill Industrial (603) 926-0216 www.aquarion.com Company of New Drive, Unit A 1-800-692-8371 Hampshire Hampton NH 03842 (formerly Hampton Water Works)
Bow Lake Estates PO Box 697 (603) 868-7200 Barrington NH 03825
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Dockham Shores 361 Weirs Rd (603) 528-3248 Estates Water Co Gilford NH 03246
Inc Forest Edge Water PO Box 803 (603) 356-5600
Co N Conway NH 03860 Fryeburg Water 8A Portland St (207) 935-2010
Co Fryeburg Me 04037 Hampstead Area 54 Sawyer Ave (603) 362-5333 www.hampsteadwater.com
Water Co Inc Atkinson NH 03811 Lakeland PO box 7394 (603) 293-8580
Management Co Gilford, NH 03247
Lakes Region Box 389 (603) 476-2348 http://lakesregionwater.com/
Water Co Moultonboro NH 03254 Manchester Water 281 Lincoln St (603) 624-6494 www.manchesternh.gov/ Works * Manchester, NH 03103 website/Departments/ WaterWorks/
tabid/189/Default.aspx *Note: Pursuant to Order No. 24,138 issued March 14, 2003 , Manchester Water Works’ service outside Manchester ’s municipal boundaries is no longer regulated by the Commission. However, since that Commission order directed MWW to file its current tariff each year with the Commission, that tariff is posted here.
Pennichuck East 25 Manchester Street (603) 882-5191 www.pennichuck.com
Utility, Inc. PO Box 1947 1-800-553-5191 Merrimack, NH 03054- 1947
Pennichuck Water Works, 25 Manchester Street (603) 882- www.pennichuck.com
Inc. PO Box 1947 5191 Merrimack, NH 03054- 1-800-553- 1947 5191
Pittsfield Aqueduct 25 Manchester Street (603) 882- www.pennichuck.com
Company, Inc. PO Box 1947 5191 Merrimack, NH 03054- 1-800-553- 1947 5191
Rosebrook Water Co Inc c/o Laurie Matthews (603) 278- Mount Washington Hotel 8887 Rte 302
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Bretton Woods. NH 03575
Tioga River Water Co City 9 Route 11 (603) 524- Laconia NH 03246 6343 West Swanzey Water Co PO Box 219 (603) 256-
Inc West Chesterfield NH 6372 03466
White Rock Water Co Inc c/o C&C Water Services, (603) 293- Inc. 8580 PO Box 7394 Gilford, NH 03247
Wildwood Water Co Inc PO Box 543 Conway NH (603) 447- 03818 4478
Sewer Company Name Address Telephone # Internet Information Tariffs are available on-line for those company names that are underlined. (See disclaimer above.) Atkinson Area 54 Sawyer Ave (603) 362-5333 Waste Water Atkinson NH 03811
Recycling Bedford Waste 317 South River Road (603) 668-5788
Services, Inc Bedford NH 03110 Bodwell Waste 317 South River Road (603) 668-5788
Services Corp Bedford NH 03110
Eastman Sewer Co PO Box 470 (603) 863-4240 Grantham NH 03753 Lorden Commons Sewer 17 Sky Oaks Drive (207) 282-5222 Company, LLC Biddeford, Maine 04005 Fax: c/o Stephen P. St. Cyr & (207) 282-5225 Associates
Source: http://www.puc.state.nh.us/Regulatory/companies-regulated-tariffs.htm#elec
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Appendix 6
New Hampshire Hospitals
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FACILITY NAME BEDS ALICE PECK DAY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 25 ANDROSCOGGIN VALLEY HOSPITAL 25 CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTER 330 CHESHIRE MEDICAL CENTER 169 CONCORD HOSPITAL 295 COTTAGE HOSPITAL 25 CROTCHED MT REHABILITATION CENTER 62 ELLIOT HOSPITAL 296 EXETER HOSPITAL 100 FRANKLIN REGIONAL HOSPITAL 25 FRISBIE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 112 HAMPSTEAD HOSPITAL 93 HAMPSTEAD HOSPITAL 18 HEALTHSOUTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL 50 HUGGINS HOSPITAL 25 LAKES REGION GENERAL HOSPITAL 137 LITTLETON REGIONAL HEALTHCARE 25 MARY HITCHCOCK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 396 MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 25 MONADNOCK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL 25 NEW LONDON HOSPITAL 25 NORTHEAST REHAB HOSPITAL @ PEASE 33 NORTHEAST REHAB. HOSP. @ SNHMC, WEST 20 NORTHEAST REHABILITATION HOSPITAL 82 PARKLAND MEDICAL CENTER 86 PORTSMOUTH REGIONAL HOSPITAL 209 SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE MEDICAL CENTER 188 SPEARE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 25 ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL 208 UPPER CT VALLEY HOSPITAL 16 VALLEY REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC 25 WEEKS MEDICAL CENTER 25 WENTWORTH-DOUGLASS HOSPITAL 178 Source: NH DHHS, Bureau of Health Facilities Administration (8/6/2013)
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Appendix 7
New Hampshire Schools
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Appendix 8
New Hampshire Export Trade
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Office of International Commerce, NH Division of Economic Development http://www.nheconomy.com/exportnh/
Staff: Tina Kasim, Program Manager
Rob Barry, Export Finance Officer New Hampshire Office of International Commerce / International Trade Resource Center Division of Economic Development 603-271-8444 ext. 112 [email protected]
Vacant, International Trade Officer
Mission: The Office of International Commerce is charged with planning, developing and administering programs for international trade promotion and foreign market development, and with coordinating other public and private organizations involved in concurrent efforts.
Key Programs: * Market Research & Matchmaking Coordinated with the US Dept of Commerce (USDOC), business counselling and identifying partners for NH businesses in international markets is a service often requested. Through various programs offered by US DOC businesses have access to customized market research.
Initial information gathering regarding a market, competitors to a product, export regulations, customs and tariffs and cultural considerations are conducted by OIC- this includes basic online research and connecting businesses with the respective government agencies specializing in export regulations and compliance.
* Trade Missions & Trade Shows In the last 18 months, NH was awarded two federal grants that have allowed OIC to provide participation opportunities to NH businesses. With new funding in the state budget reinstated, OIC is currently planning implementation of similar activities.
* Export Finance Services Counsel businesses on various export specific loan programs through federal partners to facilitate more international trade. A great deal of counselling is offered to businesses about identifying legitimate international inquires, receiving payments for their products and services, export credit insurance, documentation, etc.
* Trainings and Seminars OIC provides an export seminar series each Fall through early Summer. The seminars are focused on specific topics including basics of exporting, documentation, export compliance, and more specific topics such as Doing Business In (a particular market) or about specific updates of industries in various markets (i.e. new regulations in the EU cosmetics industry).
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Appendix 9
Local Area Unemployment Statistics Report
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Appendix 10
Labor Market Areas
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Appendix 11
New Hampshire Representatives
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New Hampshire Representatives
Last First County District Email Address Chandler Gene Carroll 01 [email protected] Buco Thomas Carroll 02 [email protected] Umberger Karen Carroll 02 [email protected] White Syndi Carroll 02 [email protected] McConkey Mark Carroll 03 [email protected] Ticehurst Susan Carroll 03 [email protected] Butler Edward Carroll 07 [email protected] Enman Larry Coos 01
Rappaport Laurence Coos 01 [email protected] Moynihan Wayne Coos 02 [email protected] Coulombe Gary Coos 03 [email protected] Theberge Robert Coos 03 [email protected] Thomas Yvonne Coos 03 [email protected] Richardson Herbert Coos 04 [email protected] Hammon Marcia Coos 05 [email protected] Hatch William Coos 06 [email protected] Rideout Leon Coos 07 [email protected] Doolan Ralph Grafton 01
Massimilla Linda Grafton 01 [email protected] Brown Rebecca Grafton 02 [email protected] Ford Susan Grafton 03 [email protected] Ladd Rick Grafton 04 [email protected] Gionet Edmond Grafton 05 [email protected] Bradley Lester Grafton 06 [email protected] Aguiar James Grafton 07 [email protected] Cooney Mary Grafton 08 [email protected] Lovett Sid Grafton 08
Smith Suzanne Grafton 08 [email protected] Reilly Harold Grafton 09 [email protected]
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Shackett Jeffrey Grafton 09 [email protected] Piper Wendy Grafton 10 [email protected] Townsend Charles Grafton 11 [email protected] Benn Bernard Grafton 12 [email protected] Higgins Patricia Grafton 12 [email protected] Nordgren Sharon Grafton 12 [email protected] Pastor Beatriz Grafton 12 [email protected] Almy Susan Grafton 13 [email protected] Harding Laurie Grafton 13 [email protected] Sykes George Grafton 13 [email protected] White Andrew Grafton 13 [email protected] Bailey Brad Grafton 14 [email protected] Lauer Linda Grafton 15 [email protected] Friedrich Carol Grafton 16 [email protected] Mulholland Catherine Grafton 17 [email protected] Source: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/rosterdownloads.html
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Appendix 12
New Hampshire State Senate
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New Hampshire State Senate
District 01 Jeff Woodburn (d) [email protected] Legislative Office Building Room 5 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-3067 District 02 Jeanie Forrester (r) [email protected] State House Room 105 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-4980 District 03 Jeb Bradley (r) [email protected] State House Room 302 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-2111 District 04 David Watters (d) [email protected] Legislative Office Building Room 101-A 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-8631 District 05 David Pierce (d) [email protected] Legislative Office Building Room 101-A 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-8631
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District 06 Sam Cataldo (r) [email protected] State House Room 107 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-4063 District 07 Andrew Hosmer (d) [email protected] Legislative Office Building Room 5 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-3067 District 08 Bob Odell (r) [email protected] State House Room 302 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-2609 District 09 Andy Sanborn (r) [email protected] State House Room 302 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-2111 District 10 Molly Kelly (d) [email protected] State House Room 120 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-3207
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District 11 Peter Bragdon (r) [email protected] State House Room 302 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-6931 District 12 Peggy Gilmour (d) [email protected] State House Room 105-A 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-4151 District 13 Bette Lasky (d) [email protected] State House Room 105-A 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-4151 District 14 Sharon Carson (r) [email protected] State House Room 106 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-1403 District 15 Sylvia Larsen (d) [email protected] State House Room 120 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-3207
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District 16 David Boutin (r) [email protected] Legislative Office Building Room 102-A 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-3092 District 17 John Reagan (r) [email protected] State House Room 107 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-4063 District 18 Donna Soucy (d) [email protected] State House Room 105-A 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-4151 District 19 Jim Rausch (r) [email protected] State House Room 124 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-3091 District 20 Lou D'Allesandro (d) [email protected] State House Room 117 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-2117
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District 21 Martha Fuller Clark (d) [email protected] State House Room 115 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-3076 District 22 Chuck Morse (r) [email protected] State House Room 302 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-2111 District 23 Russell Prescott (r) [email protected] State House Room 302 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-2609 District 24 Nancy Stiles (r) [email protected] Legislative Office Building Room 103-A 33 North State Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-3093 Source: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/members/senate_roster.aspx
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Appendix 13
New Hampshire Tax Rates
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Source: http://www.revenue.nh.gov/munc_prop/property-tax-rates-related- data/2013/documents/2013TaxRateReport.pdf
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Appendix 14
Local Internet Service Providers
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North County Internet Providers
Note: This is not an all-inclusive list, as there are also a number of resellers.
FairPoint Communications: www.fairpoint.com
*G4 Communications : www.g4.net
*Bayring: www.bayring.com
*FirstLight: www.firstlight.net
Time Warner Cable: www.timewarnercable.com
FiberCast: www.fibercastcable.com
WirelessLinc: www.ncic.org/regional-iniatives/
*186 Communications: www.186comm.com
*NH Optical Systems: www.nhosystems.com
NCIA: www.ncia.net
Great Auk Wireless: www.gaw.com
US Cellular: www.uscellular.com
Verizon-Wireless: www.verizonwireless.com
* These providers do not offer residential services.
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Appendix 15
Land Area Figures for New Hampshire
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Land Area Figures
Municipality Total Acres Total sq. Land Acres Land sq. Water Water Miles Miles Acres sq. Miles Carroll County Albany 48,475.55 75.74 48,252.97 75.4 222.58 0.35 Bartlett 47,882.25 74.82 47,877.75 74.81 4.5 0.01 Brookfield 14,880.31 23.25 14,628.96 22.86 251.36 0.39 Chatham 36,639.19 57.25 36,313.62 56.74 325.57 0.51 Conway 45,881.08 71.69 44,596.85 69.68 1,284.23 2.01 Eaton 16,383.09 25.6 15,618.56 24.4 764.53 1.19 Effingham 25,555.90 39.93 24,877.94 38.87 677.96 1.06 Freedom 24,261.94 37.91 22,077.18 34.5 2,184.77 3.41 Hale's Location 1,599.81 2.5 1,599.77 2.5 0.04 0 Harts Location 12,302.47 19.22 12,302.44 19.22 0.03 0 Jackson 42,757.99 66.81 42,753.70 66.8 4.3 0.01 Madison 26,157.25 40.87 24,765.93 38.7 1,391.32 2.17 Moultonboro 48,048.28 75.08 38,425.43 60.04 9,622.85 15.04 Ossipee 48,168.46 75.26 45,375.95 70.9 2,792.51 4.36 Sandwich 60,250.83 94.14 58,394.48 91.24 1,856.35 2.9 Tamworth 38,812.56 60.64 38,289.06 59.83 523.5 0.82 Tuftonboro 31,638.50 49.44 25,998.88 40.62 5,639.63 8.81 Wakefield 28,717.08 44.87 25,297.02 39.53 3,420.06 5.34 Wolfeboro 37,405.53 58.45 30,940.30 48.34 6,465.23 10.1 County Total 635,818.07 993.47 598,386.78 934.98 37,431.31 58.49
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Coos County Atkinson & Gilmanton Grant 12,351.31 19.3 12,351.30 19.3 0.01 0 Beans Grant 6,182.59 9.66 6,182.68 9.66 0 0 Beans Purchase 41,787.65 65.29 41,774.38 65.27 13.26 0.02 Berlin 39,805.74 62.2 39,338.15 61.47 467.58 0.73 Cambridge 33,098.74 51.72 32,684.05 51.07 414.68 0.65 Carroll 32,187.51 50.29 32,171.44 50.27 16.06 0.03 Chandler's Purchase 1,360.73 2.13 1,360.69 2.13 0.03 0 Clarksville 39,915.79 62.37 38,686.04 60.45 1,229.75 1.92 Colebrook 26,106.54 40.79 26,087.46 40.76 19.06 0.03 Columbia 39,220.09 61.28 39,181.08 61.22 39 0.06 Crawford's Purchase 5,242.84 8.19 5,242.86 8.19 0 0 Cutt's Grant 7,218.76 11.28 7,218.74 11.28 0.01 0 Dalton 18,104.35 28.29 17,624.09 27.54 480.25 0.75 Dix's Grant 12,843.49 20.07 12,843.57 20.07 0 0 Dixville 31,455.28 49.15 31,369.88 49.02 85.39 0.13 Dummer 31,461.36 49.16 30,629.51 47.86 831.84 1.3 Errol 44,443.02 69.44 38,930.20 60.83 5,512.81 8.61 Erving's Location 2,401.67 3.75 2,401.71 3.75 0 0 Gorham 20,675.49 32.31 20,414.69 31.9 260.79 0.41 Green's Grant 2,348.41 3.67 2,348.39 3.67 0.01 0 Hadley's Purchase 4,740.43 7.41 4,740.44 7.41 0 0 Jefferson 32,206.63 50.32 32,061.59 50.1 145.03 0.23 Kilkenny 16,444.23 25.69 16,440.48 25.69 3.74 0.01 Lancaster 32,763.59 51.19 32,129.92 50.2 633.66 0.99 Low & Burbanks 16,728.18 26.14 16,728.19 26.14 0 0 Martin's Location 2,403.30 3.76 2,403.24 3.76 0.05 0 Milan 41,247.06 64.45 40,916.24 63.93 330.8 0.52 Millsfield 28,937.79 45.22 28,715.84 44.87 221.94 0.35
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Northumberland 23,558.88 36.81 23,505.49 36.73 53.38 0.08 Odell 28,806.84 45.01 28,614.07 44.71 192.76 0.3 Pinkham's Grant 2,431.20 3.8 2,431.22 3.8 0 0 Pittsburg 186,430.50 291.3 180,680.07 282.31 5,750.40 8.99 Randolph 30,142.31 47.1 30,114.28 47.05 28.02 0.04 Sargent's Purchase 16,559.63 25.87 16,556.91 25.87 2.71 0 Second College Grant 26,773.90 41.83 26,742.31 41.78 31.58 0.05 Shelburne 31,211.89 48.77 30,635.01 47.87 576.83 0.9 Stark 38,221.81 59.72 37,901.91 59.22 319.89 0.5 Stewartstown 30,019.15 46.9 29,772.61 46.52 246.54 0.39 Stratford 51,231.47 80.05 51,146.76 79.92 84.7 0.13 Success 36,491.60 57.02 36,184.85 56.54 306.74 0.48 Thompson & Meserve 11,848.89 18.51 11,848.94 18.51 0 0 Wentworth's Location 12,326.13 19.26 11,885.80 18.57 440.32 0.69 Whitefield 22,231.93 34.74 21,949.67 34.3 282.25 0.44 County Total 1,171,968.69 1,831.20 1,152,946.76 1,801.48 19,021.87 29.72
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Grafton County Alexandria 27,921.21 43.63 27,867.68 43.54 53.53 0.08 Ashland 7,533.76 11.77 7,244.42 11.32 289.34 0.45 Bath 24,684.11 38.57 24,421.29 38.16 262.83 0.41 Benton 31,201.54 48.75 31,057.05 48.53 144.49 0.23 Bethlehem 58,205.90 90.95 58,164.63 90.88 41.27 0.06 Bridgewater 13,890.28 21.7 13,743.31 21.47 146.97 0.23 Bristol 14,022.17 21.91 10,928.72 17.08 3,093.45 4.83 Campton 33,619.95 52.53 33,240.40 51.94 379.55 0.59 Canaan 35,275.92 55.12 34,116.37 53.31 1,159.55 1.81 Dorchester 28,889.88 45.14 28,540.65 44.59 349.23 0.55 Easton 19,934.00 31.15 19,929.02 31.14 4.98 0.01 Ellsworth 13,781.22 21.53 13,717.93 21.43 63.29 0.1 Enfield 27,615.61 43.15 25,790.95 40.3 1,824.65 2.85 Franconia 42,124.06 65.82 42,073.07 65.74 50.99 0.08 Grafton 27,138.96 42.4 26,626.11 41.6 512.85 0.8 Groton 26,085.17 40.76 26,056.36 40.71 28.81 0.05 Hanover 32,087.05 50.14 31,424.94 49.1 662.12 1.03 Haverhill 33,509.85 52.36 32,739.76 51.16 770.09 1.2 Hebron 12,150.50 18.99 10,789.93 16.86 1,360.57 2.13 Holderness 22,970.32 35.89 19,539.34 30.53 3,430.97 5.36 Landaff 18,223.58 28.47 18,181.33 28.41 42.25 0.07 Lebanon 26,415.20 41.27 25,814.03 40.33 601.17 0.94 Lincoln 83,843.71 131.01 83,701.63 130.78 142.1 0.22 Lisbon 17,065.58 26.66 16,960.80 26.5 104.78 0.16 Littleton 34,555.32 53.99 32,021.14 50.03 2,534.17 3.96 Livermore 40,924.50 63.94 40,818.96 63.78 105.54 0.16 Lyman 18,355.87 28.68 18,172.97 28.4 182.9 0.29 Lyme 35,215.77 55.02 34,459.78 53.84 755.99 1.18
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Monroe 15,248.90 23.83 14,356.14 22.43 892.76 1.39 Orange 14,799.72 23.12 14,775.66 23.09 24.06 0.04 Orford 30,577.85 47.78 29,715.40 46.43 862.45 1.35 Piermont 25,582.23 39.97 24,720.11 38.63 862.12 1.35 Plymouth 18,232.58 28.49 18,063.10 28.22 169.48 0.26 Rumney 27,270.22 42.61 26,863.91 41.97 406.31 0.63 Sugar Hill 11,027.58 17.23 10,955.98 17.12 71.6 0.11 Thornton 32,443.43 50.69 32,176.77 50.28 266.67 0.42 Warren 31,355.95 48.99 31,109.92 48.61 246.03 0.38 Waterville 41,248.05 64.45 41,231.61 64.42 16.44 0.03 Wentworth 26,963.82 42.13 26,777.82 41.84 186 0.29 Woodstock 37,752.04 58.99 37,434.57 58.49 317.47 0.5 County Total 1,119,743.36 1,749.60 1,096,323.54 1,713.01 23,419.81 36.59 Source: NH GRANIT system; compiled at NH Office of Energy and Planning, Oct. 2013
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Appendix 16
Reference Maps
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Figure 37: NH Regional Development Corporations
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Figure 38: North Country Council Region
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Figure 39: NH Planning Commissions 231 | Page North Country Council Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - Appendices
Figure 40 NH Municipalities Status of Zoning Ordinances 2012
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Figure 41 NH Congressional Districts Established 2012 233 | Page North Country Council Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - Appendices
Figure 42 NH Executive Council Districts 2012 234 | Page North Country Council Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - Appendices
Figure 43 NH State Senate Districts Established 2012 235 | Page North Country Council Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - Appendices
Figure 44 NH State House Districts 2012 236 | Page North Country Council Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - Appendices