Economic and Community Development

Conserve NH's Wildlife NH State Wildlife Action Plan decal illustration
Engagement Efforts Support Wildlife Action Plan Update
New Hampshire’s Wildlife are significant features of community culture and contribute to our state’s identity and economic vitality. Throughout the Fa... Learn More
A downtown traffic intersection with tree-lined street, brick commercial buildings and an old brick church.
Enhancing Downtown Vitality: UNH Extension’s First Impressions Program
Vibrant downtowns serve as the heart of communities, offering social gathering spaces, economic opportunities, and a sense of place for the people who... Learn More
Aerial view of downtown village with snow covered buildings with the sun rising over distant mountains
Healthy People Make Thriving Communities
Winter is a timely season to talk about how mental health can impact community well-being. For communities to reach their highest potentials socially ... Learn More
Exterior of the Clarement MakerSpace building, a large historic brick structure
Collaboration Was Key at Leadership Upper Valley’s Economic Development Day
On January 8, the 2025 graduating cohort of Leadership Upper Valley spent the day at the Claremont MakerSpace learning about economic development effo... Learn More
Nate Bernitz and Christopher Parker sitting on opposite sides of an oval table
Building Bridges: Dover's Approach to Inspiring Confidence in Local Government
Key takeaways from a conversation with Dover’s deputy city manager
Cities and towns across New Hampshire use localized approaches to decision making, transparency and accessibility, public engagement and provision of ... Learn More
John Christ
Merrimack County Extension Welcomes John Christ
New Community & Economic Development Specialist
UNH Cooperative Extension is pleased to welcome Dr. John Christ to the Community and Economic Development Team. John recently started his role as a fi... Learn More
Shannon Rogers
UNH's Excellence in Public Service Award Presented to Shannon Rogers
Shannon Rogers, an inspiring state specialist and Extension associate professor at UNH, has been honored with the 2024 Award for Excellence in Public ... Learn More
Nate Bernitz, Sue Cagle and Becky Levy standing in front of a presentatin screen at the NH Municipal Association conference
Crafting Creative Solutions Through Conflict: Insights from the NHMA Conference
On October 30 and 31, UNH Extension Community & Economic Development field specialists Nate Bernitz, Rebecca Levy, and Sue Cagle attended the annual N... Learn More
A red lettered open sign hanging in a shop window
Effective Business Engagement Strategies for Communities: Webinar Recap
In our recent webinar on Business Engagement Strategies for Communities, we delved into the best practices for business retention and expansion (BR&E)... Learn More
Four people posing behind a statue of a black bear
UNH Extension Goes (Almost) Undercover as Tourists in West Virginia
Curious how rural communities build thriving tourism and recreation economies? A multi-state research collaboration, including UNH Extension and partn... Learn More