Economic Development

  • Exeter NH waterfront

Strengthening Local and Regional Economies

Cooperative Extension helps to strengthen local and regional economies by providing communities and organizations with programs and educational resources aimed at growing and sustaining existing businesses, cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem, enhancing Main Street, supporting diverse housing, enhancing the quality of life, and building community vibrancy. 

Community Business Engagement

Building the local economy by identifying and addressing the needs, challenges and opportunities of business.

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Business and Entrepreneurship

Bringing best practices and guidance for steps that communities can take to become friendly to entrepreneurs and innovators.

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Main Street Revitalization and Resiliency

Innovative programs for local leadership to look at assets, create a vision and focus on strengthening place. 

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Studley's Florist in Rochester NH

Workforce Development

Research and programs that bring to light workforce needs and opportunities within communities. 

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Articles

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
Key is being handed over to homeowner
Working Together on Housing Solutions
Learning sessions help municipalities better engage community members
UNH Extension's Community and Economic Development team, in partnership with stateside organizations, has developed a five-year Digital Equity Plan to... Learn More
A person is using a laptop
Closing the Digital Divide
A new plan addresses disparities in access to technology, internet connectivity, digital skills and online resources
UNH Extension's Community and Economic Development team, in partnership with stateside organizations, has developed a five-year Digital Equity Plan to... Learn More
Three young people with backpacks stand on a mountain top over looking Lake Winnipesaukee
Connecting the Dots
UNH researchers team up with communities to improve regional trail networks
To address issues and facilitate collaborative solutions, UNH faculty, graduate students, Extension staff and external partners joined forces in 2023 ... Learn More

Events

Resources

Several hundred marathon runners passing under the start banner hung over a wide street
Fostering Social Capital Through Community Events
Community events play a crucial role in fostering social capital, which is essential for community development. Social capital refers to the networks,... Learn More
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Understanding Public Trust at the Local Level
Imagine what’s possible in a community where there is a high level of mutual trust between residents and their local government. This information bri... Learn More
Downtowns and Trails 5 year evaluation report cover
Downtowns & Trails 5 Year Evaluation Report
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
colored sticky dots
What is dot voting?
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
Two people walking down city street
10 Components of Vibrant Communities
A vibrant community relies on several key components, including economic vitality, community health, natural resources and recreation, community engag... Learn More
Cover page of webinar slide presentation, title bar with walkway covered in autumn leaves in the background
Connecting Downtowns & Trails: Opportunities & Challenges
Many communities have trails in close proximity to their downtowns/village centers/business districts. We share the opportunities and challenges of wo... Learn More

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