Wolfeboro Economic Development

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January 12. 2014 3:47PM (http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/search?Category=SEARCH&q=&StartDate=20140113&BuildNavigators=1)


Economic Development Committee drawing business to Wolfeboro

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By LARISSA MULKERN
Special to the Union Leader
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Downtown Wolfeboro was abuzz with activity on Jan. 8. The town's Economic Development Committee is working hard on spreading the word about the town and the region's appeal as a place to do business. (LARISSA MULKERN PHOTO)

<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">WOLFEBORO — The town's economic development committee is spreading the word that the Wolfeboro area is more than just a scenic place by the lake.

The 10-member Wolfeboro Economic Development Committee, headed by Chairman Zach Tarter, a professional investment adviser with Edward Jones, and Vice Chair Denise Roy-Palmer, executive director of the Wentworth Economic Development Corp., has worked with business and municipal leaders on a number of fronts to strengthen — and publicize — the region's business-friendly appeal.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Enhancing online presence from the town's website was accomplished recently by including links from the home page to maps and details on the town's two economic revitalization zones, the business park off Pine Hill Road and Wickers Drive, and on Center, Lehner and Pine streets.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"We believe our region has a lot to offer to business and industries throughout the U.S.," Tarter said. Those assets include potential tax credits from the state, no sales tax, a family-friendly, high quality of life, and relatively close proximity to major metropolitan areas including Manchester and Boston.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"The website presence is a good thing. What we found is people just don't wake up in Texas and say, 'We want to expand business to Wolfeboro.' On the site people can see the maps, see we're close to metropolitan areas and see that it's easy to live in a beautiful part of the country and be within an economic development zone."
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">The committee has also discussed launching billboard and print advertising in the southern part of the state on major thoroughfares like the Spaulding Turnpike.

"We're also looking at expanding our reach for Bike Week, which has traditionally been centered on the other side of the lake in Laconia. Wolfeboro is biker friendly, and we want to get that message out," Tarter said.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Wolfeboro's status as "America's Oldest Summer Resort" can also serve as a magnet for business development. "Those coming here on vacation may start thinking, 'I can move my business here. I can live this lifestyle,'" Tarter said.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"Many parents come into town to drop their children off at Brewster Academy realize this is a beautiful area with a wonderful hospital and many services," he said, adding that technology enables more and more businesses with telecommuting opportunities. "Wolfeboro has embraced technology. You can live the dream and telecommute from here."
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Infrastructure, customer service improvements

Tarter said the committee held focus group meetings on how to better serve and retain the town's existing businesses. Those sessions resulted in the town holding customer service training for its staff.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"You don't usually hear about customer service training at government agency. We wanted the experience of applying for a building permit to be a pleasant one," Tarter said.

State Business Recruiter Cynthia Harrington from the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development met with the committee last month to talk about business retention and recruitment. During that session, Harrington stressed the importance of taking a regional approach to economic development.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">She encouraged members to identify and work with the existing businesses to identify potential complimentary businesses. For example, GI Plastek, an injection molding company located on Wickers Drive currently undergoing a $3 million building expansion, may identify a materials supplier or affiliated business that may consider locating to town to be closer to the manufacturer. The region can also continue to build upon its reputation as a beautiful tourist destination and perhaps identify some of those tourists who may be CEOs of major companies to do business here.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"Wolfeboro has a high level of recreational traffic. The folks who come here for recreation, who may want to set up a satellite office, are a target market. You want to reach out to people who come here already. When I go to trade shows, I meet many people who say they summered in New Hampshire and have wonderful memories. Well, if you're unhappy with the city, you can move the business here," she said.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Roy-Palmer, who as WEDCO's leader can assist businesses with loan and funding information and other resources, said the committee has momentum. "A lot has been accomplished. Getting the town's website updated was very important — a lot of (business) site locators don't search any further if a town's website doesn't have anything regarding economic development."
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">The state-designated economic revitalization zones may also provide a bit of a boost to those areas that need it, she said. "It's an enticement and benefit to anyone who wants to invest and create jobs in the area. It's an open invitation that says we're looking to create some business activity here, and we welcome it," Roy-Palmer said.
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<HARDRETURN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">The next meeting of the Wolfeboro Economic Development Committee will be Tuesday at 8 a.m. in the Huggins Hospital Board Room.
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[tis]

I think they have tried hard. The problem is try getting it through the planning department/planning board. The town has not been business friendly for many years. Ask anyone who has had to go through the process.

[BroadHopper]

lots of empty store fronts and businesses for sale. Wolfeboro is not alone.

[CateP]

I know I'm still a new resident in Wolfeboro, but I was really encouraged by this news. I think infusing new energy into our local economics is great and if there are obstacles that have prevented that kind of growth, then maybe this group will be able to shift them. Wolfeboro seems to be thriving from my view. It's ALWAYS busy downtown during the day. Year-round. I see very little commercial real estate for sale and no empty shop windows.

I am involved with several non-profit organizations in this area and have been actively solicited to get involved. New faces means new enthusiasm and energy.

I would love to see more businesses come to our area.(lakes region) Not retail and restaurant, but B2B types. Hey an office is an office right? I would take being able to have my lunch break next to the lake over hunkering down at my desk in some cube farm in MA any day. Bet businesses would have more productive, happier workers if they lived here.

[ghfromaltonbay]

For several years I was working for a company here in NJ that leased and sold compressors and mining equipment. Every month when I did the billing I smiled when I came across the invoice to GI Plastek in Wolfeboro. That was the only NH customer we had. I offered to deliver the invoice in person to make sure it got there, but the boss didn't go for that. :laugh: Glad to hear they are expanding.

[camp guy]

Tis is correct; there has been, and continues to be, a push-pull relationship between the Town officials and businesses, and even between the Town and Town departments. So, someone standing on the outside looking in may not perceive Wolfeboro as a friendly place to do business. Sure, the "quality of life" index is high, but the "ease of doing business" index may not be so high.

[secondcurve]

Tis is correct; there has been, and continues to be, a push-pull relationship between the Town officials and businesses, and even between the Town and Town departments. So, someone standing on the outside looking in may not perceive Wolfeboro as a friendly place to do business. Sure, the "quality of life" index is high, but the "ease of doing business" index may not be so high.

Maybe. But on the other hand I appreciative the way Wolfeboro has maintained its charm and character over the years especially when compared to towns on the other side of the lake. I think that the folks running Wolfeboro (past and present) have and do realize that the town's number one business is tourism. Therefore, they have been aggressive to maintain the town's small town feel which can sometimes be interpreted as anti-business. Another New England town that has operated in such a manner is Stowe Vermont. Compare Stowe to North Conway and tell me which you like better. Would folks who view Wolfeboro as anti-business be happy if McDonalds were allowed to move into downtown Wolfeboro? That could be interpreted as pro-business. Be careful what you wish for.

[pcmc]

Our whole family loves Wolfeboro the way it is. The small town feel IS what keeps us coming back. We find it very peaceful and fun. The people, native or visitor, seem to be on their best behavior, well at least when we are there.:)
Keep it up Wolfeboro, please don't go commercial.

[Lakesrider]

Yep. Bring in the businesses and then no one will find them because they can't put out a sign....And then when they open it will take you 50 minutes to get down Main Street....Heck you don't need new business for that to happen. It already takes 50 minutes to get down Main St in the Summer........:rolleye2::D