ANTRIM PLANNING BOARD
Special Meeting: Presentation and Workshop
June 14, 2018
MINUTES
Members & Planning Staff Present:
Janet McEwen (Chair), Chris Condon (Vice Chair), William Bryk (Member), John Robertson (Ex-Officio), Jeanne Cahoon (Alternate), Steve MacDonald (Alternate); and Kristin Bixby (Assistant to Land Use Boards)
Members Absent: Mary Allen (Member), Bob Holmes (Member), Lynne Rosansky (Member)
Others Present: Greg Perry, Leslie Belliveau, John Anderson, Nancy Blair, Mark Murdough, Ray Ledgerwood, Bob Edwards, Sarah Edwards, Ben Pratt, Diane Chauncey, Rick Wood, Rep. Richard M. McNamara, Rep. Marjorie Porter, George Caughey, Michelle Caughey, Robert and Adam Paquin Varnum, Donna Hanson
CTO: Chair McEwen called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM and introduced the guest speakers.
I. Presentation: The New Hampshire Advantage: Antrim; NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
NHDBEA representatives Mollie Kaylor and Michael Bergeron gave a presentation on recruiting and retaining businesses. The NHDBEA is a year-old State department, which used to be part of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. It is now a separate entity, consisting of the Division of Economic Development, and the Division of Travel and Tourism. Please find the complete presentation on the Town of Antrim website, along with Planning Board minutes.
Mollie Kaylor spoke first on business retention, and noted that 80% of new jobs and capital investment are generated by existing companies. Therefore, business retention is equally as important as recruiting new businesses. Ms. Kaylor noted that relationship building with businesses was extremely important. From the Town-end, she suggested that businesses could have stories featured on the Town website, and participate in Town-run business forums. On the business-end, they should be encouraged to put on open houses, so the community has a chance to participate in an after-hours meet and greet with local business owners. Another main suggestion made for improvement in retention was utilizing [or identifying additional] Economic Revitalization Zones. These zones are selected by the Town and utilize the State Tax Credit Program.
Michael Bergeron then spoke on business recruitment, and noted that the most important thing to remember in this process is patience and attitude. He highlighted the utilization of technology and social media in order to target young professionals. He used Franklin, NH as a success story in changing the way they promoted their Town by updating a website and using social media. He noted how Franklin identified their river as a strength, and anchored it onto all of their marketing. This lead to an organization wanting to set up a business in white water rafting in the Town. Mr. Bergeron talked in depth about how to appropriately construct a more flashy website, that would contain information not only for residents, but for visitors, and future business owners. He noted the importance of showing where Antrim is in a larger regional context, and
furthermore the importance of showing maps that highlight available spaces for businesses to rent or buy in Antrim. In the promotion of a business information page, Mr. Bergeron also noted the importance of keeping text concise, with items like, “Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Expand/Relocate to Antrim.” He also noted that the Town of Durham had pictures of all staff and board members in the directory, which makes the site more personable.
Public Questions & Comments
Ray Ledgerwood commented that Antrim “needs to walk before [they run],” and noted that the 2020 process that started may have been a little overwhelming at the time. He said that Antrim needs to promote its smallness, and that townspeople need bigger hearts and more smiles on their faces. Mr. Ledgerwood also mentioned that a bi-annual Antrim Town Day hosted at the school could be a great addition to Town festivities.
Rick Wood noted that website redevelopment is vital in promoting Antrim as a great place to live and do business. He also suggested that The Limrik could run something asking “Why Antrim?”, and have the public submit responses. Then, the Board could select their top 5 or 10 answers.
In response to a question about how much the Town website costs, Ms. Hanson said that just the cost for hosting is a couple thousand dollars a year. That does not include the costs to have the Town staff update the site. She noted that newer Town staff may be more capable with making the necessary changes, but the software is limiting.
Rep. Marjorie Porter noted that one thing the State as a whole is struggling with is losing young people. Antrim is a great place to raise a family, that is small enough where everyone knows each other but big enough to provide necessary services and host larger Town events.
Michael Bergeron mentioned the importance of having someone else promote the Town. Otherwise, the promotion seems fake.
Selectman Bob Edwards asked if there is a benefit of forming a formal economic development corporation over a Town committee with volunteers. Mr. Bergeron noted that the success stories he has seen are in more populated areas. Ms. Kaylor noted that in other small towns, the planning staff often expands their roles to take on economic development.
Ray Ledgerwood added that the Town needs to identify the community’s talent pool, and who is running a home business, and said that the arts and crafts community in Antrim is remarkable.
Adam Paquin Varnum inquired on whether a section of the State’s website highlights interesting news and facts about New Hampshire’s towns and cities, or if links could be provided to pages about each town. He noted that “one of our schools recently won an award,” and that it should be something that is celebrated and marketed. Mr. Bergeron noted that the State’s site titled “Choose NH” gives a general overview of why to live and work in the State, but perhaps the next step is to link out to the communities.
Steve MacDonald cautioned that the community can’t try to do everything at once. He used New Hampshire Chronicle as an example of how the Town could recognize businesses through stories, and noted that it needs to highlight the people who love this town and want to live and work here. The section on promoting Antrim as a great place to do business should be in the background. He added, “the last thing you want people to think is that you’re trying to sell them something.”
II. Planning Board Workshop: Brainstorming Session
The second portion of the evening was used as an opportunity for elected officials and business representatives to brainstorm ideas on why businesses like Antrim, and what areas could be improved upon to make businesses happier and more prosperous. Each area of discussion was written on a large sheet of paper, where Ms. Bixby compiled the answers from the audience. Below are the results:
Why Antrim?
- Supportive state representatives [please contact them!]
- Look at the Lion’s Club. How are they promoting the Town?
- The Limrik is a local contributor to the community. Partner with them to share stories of the individuals who live and do business here.
- If you look at a regional map, Antrim is in a central location
- The Town has direct access to major State routes
- Small-town with a good school district
- High-speed internet service
- Outdoor activities – ie. skiing, lake/water sports, hiking
- Reasonably priced housing
- Active service organizations
- Spaces available for lease downtown [*need to be promoted better*]
- Business space behind Post Office
- Appeal to out-of-stater’s
- Antrim is the “wildest place” in Hillsborough County
- Gregg Lake and Contoocook River
- Recreation: Trails system
- Christmas tree event
- Nice library
- Edmond’s Hardware
- Traffic count on Rte 9
- Community garden
Obstacles to Business
- Not enough housing inventory
- Lack of expansion of water and sewer
- Downtown-not enough business spaces
- Town website
- Need a comprehensive business directory that includes home-based businesses
- Parking ban after 11 PM, even when there is no snowfall. Inhibits businesses that need to be working at all hours.
- Antrim needs a functional municipal parking lot
- Speed of traffic close to Downtown
- Nothing for drivers to slow down/stop for [unless they need gas or cigarettes]
- Make use of median planters and State signs
- Lack of restaurants/gathering spaces
- No “third place” – a place just for socialization, separate from one’s usual location. Home is “first place.” Work is “second place.”
- Lack of skilled labor/lack of available, young workforce
- “The people we employ don’t live around here”
- Most employees have at least a 20-25 minute commute
- Lack of overnight accommodations
- No gym
Planning Board: What Can We Do?
- Update business inventory
- Can the State help fund this process? Are there applicable grants?
- Send Town representatives to “trophy towns” to see what they are doing well
- Reach out to/utilize the Greater Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce
- Create an Economic Development group/committee
- Hire a part-time employee to focus just on economic development
- Define what we think the Town is, and what we want the Town to be
What Are We?
- A thriving community at the crossroads of Southern New Hampshire
- A mecca for cottage industries
- Small town, big heart
- Undiscovered/unrealized potential/untapped resources
- A community
Workshop Adjourned: ~8:30 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Kristin Bixby
Assistant to Land Use Boards
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