Community & Economic Development

Community & Economic Development
Newmarket, NH river side businesses

Building Local Strengths


Our team helps New Hampshire communities, like yours, learn how to assess community needs, engage residents and businesses, make informed decisions, develop effective strategies and take action. The results, which include vibrant downtowns, a greater pride of place among residents and increased tourism, are creating a stronger New Hampshire for everyone.

post-it notes on bulletin boards

Community Leadership


Helping citizen groups stay focused, work together and take action that benefits their communities.

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street market

Economic Development


Working communities to strengthen local businesses, promote entrepreneurship, build local leadership and a skilled workforce, and improve quality of life for all in ways that are sustainable and promote resiliency.

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family at sunset on dock at NH lake

Tourism, Outdoor Recreation & Nature Economy


We work with communities to leverage their natural and cultural resources to create resilient and sustainable economies that highlight the state's diverse natural resources and unique quality of life.  

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Community & Economic Development Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter that includes information about New Hampshire community and economic development programs, workshops, events and resources. Subscribe


 

Articles

Every year in New Hampshire, a wide variety of trail and recreation groups across the state are working hard to build, maintain, and improve recreatio... Learn More
OPD has the Answer.
Wading through the regulatory framework of what communities can and cannot do, and staying on top of recent trends and growth pressures can seem daunt... Learn More
On June 17th, Michael interviewed Charlie French from UNH Extension and Christopher Conrad Brackett, owner of Greater Nashua IT consulting, to discuss... Learn More

Events

  • September 18, 2024
    9:00am - 3:30pm, This in person two-day workshop will help you develop skills and strategies to facilitate work groups, community groups, coalitions, and collaborations more
  • September 19, 2024
    9:00am - 3:30pm, This in person two-day workshop will help you develop skills and strategies to facilitate work groups, community groups, coalitions, and collaborations more

Resources

This report provides an in-depth look a the program's journey, the valuable assets each community discovered, the opportunities that emerged, and... Learn More
Dot voting is a technique for semi-anonymous voting. Participants are given sets of colored sticky dots, which adhere to a variety of surfaces where a... Learn More
A vibrant community relies on several key components, including economic vitality, community health, natural resources and recreation, community engag... Learn More
Many communities have trails in close proximity to their downtowns/village centers/business districts. We share the opportunities and challenges of wo... Learn More
Over a series of months, we worked with the Hopkinton, New Hampshire community on how to better connect its trails with its business center, the Villa... Learn More