Coos County Sudden and Severe Impact Grant I (2007/2008)
1. Five Year Coos County Economic Action Plan
This economic adjustment strategic plan produced a detailed, five-year economic action plan developed under the guidance of a steering committee of County leaders. Funded by EDA, DRED, Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and CDFA.
Highlights
- Recommendations from technical review committees (TRC’s)
- Action Plan public hearings
- Plan document
- Electronic newsletter to keep the public informed of the progress of the TRC’s. Email EAPnewsletter@nccouncil.org to be added to the emailing list.
Read more about the Five Year Coos County Economic Action Plan here.
2. NH Business Resource Center Project (DRED)
This project brought expanded and enhanced services to retain and expand existing businesses and recruit new business to locate/expand in Coos County. Funded by EDA and DRED.
Activities
- Business Technical Assistance and Outreach (manufacturing process assistance, floor planning, ISO certification, environmental compliance assistance, product development, waste stream management, energy assessment, federal procurement assistance, representation at trade shows, etc.)
- Business Financial Assistance (working with impacted industry sectors to identify financing needs, etc.)
- Enhanced Website Access
- New Marketing Brochure for Coos County
- Bus tours for commercial realtors, representation at Realtors Annual Convention
- Demographic Data for Marketing Campaign and direct Mail/Radio Campaign
- Lead Generation, including small and expanding companies, recruitment of business outside of New England, and database directories for recruitment in US and Canada.
Highlights
- 19 southern NH members of the NH Commercial Investment Board of Realtors toured available Coos County industrial sites
- Berlin Prison Job/Business Fair held
- Enhancement of the NorthCountryEconomy.com website, a business recruitment tool, is underway, as well as the development of a new brochure
- A media campaign to attract expanding or relocating businesses from Quebec into Coos County
- A Youtube campaign about business opportunities is underdevelopment
- Whitaker Associates, a consulting firm, has been engaged to generate business leads
- As part of the “Destination North Country” initiative, tent cards are available at hotel and motel locations, promoting the business experience to thousands of visitors
- A Business Technical Assistance and Outreach office opened in Groveton
- A number of Canadian and southern NH business owners have visited Coos County as potential a expansion site
3. Division of Forest and Lands Wood Study Project (DRED)
This project identified the long-term availability of timber species, products, and volume for wood products facilities in Coos County. A study examined age/class distribution, tree growth, tree mortality, harvest rates, tree species composition, acreages lost to development or non-timber uses, wood consumption and harvesting capacity. Funded by EDA and DRED.
Highlights
- Wood Conference held March 7, 2008
- Through an RFQ process, LandVest was hired to conduct the wood study
- Field work was conducted and the study was completed in September
4. North Country Resource Conservation & Development Renewable Energy Project
This project examined the costs, benefits and feasibility of creating a district heating system in Groveton which can serve as a model for other Coos communities. The study identified potential users, legal frameworks, infrastructure needs, etc. Funded by EDA and RC&D. Read the Executive Summary here.
Highlights
- Advisory Committee
- Through an RFQ process, Horizon Engineers, and their partner, Ramboll/Denmark, were selected to conduct the feasibility study
- A public input session was attended by over 35 community members
- A preliminary report was presented to the Advisory Committee at a public presentation.
- Final Report was prepared, and was presented to Groveton community members
5. NHTC-Berlin Engineering Study Project
This project produced preliminary engineering design and construction cost estimates for capital improvements to the health sciences and technology wing of the facility in order to better serve the needs of the community for employee training and business assistance. Funded by EDA and the Tech College.
- Construction is underway.
6. Arts Alliance of Northern NH Creative Economy District Inventory Project
This project identified facilities and sites suitable for creative industry live/work space, community arts uses, community arts center, and performance, rehearsal, exhibition and small business spaces. Funded by EDA and AANNH.
Highlights
- Local and regional meetings to gather data for use in the inventory and best-practice list
- Workshops
- Survey and data gathering
- Final report
- Online creative spaces inventory and other information at www.creativecoos.com
7. NH Rural Development Council Telecom Phase III Feasibility Study
This study conducted an analysis of the existing open access infrastructure, service improvements and regulatory options available in order to establish mid-mile open access hubs in Coos County, including any necessary route diversity. Funded by EDA and NHRDC.
Highlights
- Public presentation
- Report distributed and presented to the state’s consultant responsible for developing a statewide broadband plan
Download the Telecom Phase III Feasibility Study here (PDF).
8. Town of Colebrook Flood Mitigation Engineering
This project assessed the physical damage caused by recent flooding in downtown Colebrook through a pre-engineering conditions survey and an engineering alternatives and costs estimates to prevent future damage. Funded by EDA and the Town of Colebrook.
Highlights
- RFQ process - Horizons Engineering was chosen to provide the needed pre-engineering work
- Report presented to Colebrook selectmen
9. Business and Entrepreneurial Technical Assistance (BETA) Program
This project provided business training, technical assistance, and business coaching in Colebrook/Groveton and Berlin areas through the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN) BETA program. Funded by EDA and WREN
Highlights
- 37 participants
- 33 businesses-in-planning
- As all participants are now WREN members, they will continue to receive on-going technical assistance, including marketing assistance, financial workshops, etc.
10. Market study by the CDFA Downtown Resource Center on behalf of GREAT for Groveton
This project was to help Groveton create a market profile to attract new and expanding businesses. Funded by EDA and GREAT.
Highlights
- Well-attended Downtown Workshop
- Preparation of a Market Profile and ESRI Trade Area Report
- Action Agenda for developing a slate of projects to continue the process of redeveloping downtown Groveton
Downlead the following market study documents (pdf):