The Exeter Community Business Engagement (CBE) Program Report reflects a collaborative effort between the Town of Exeter and UNH Cooperative Extension to better understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing Exeter's business community. Through business surveys, one-on-one interviews, industry focus groups, and visitor intercept surveys, the initiative engaged more a wide variety of businesses, organizations, residents, and visitors to gather local perspective, developing and strengthening relationships in the process.
Building on these insights, the report highlights Exeter’s many strengths, including its quality of place, vibrant downtown, strong multi‑sector business base, and positive relationships between businesses and town staff. It also identifies opportunities related to workforce development, housing affordability, transportation, business networking, resource awareness, downtown vitality, and more.
To address these opportunities, the report outlines a roadmap of short-, medium-, and long‑term recommendations focused on business retention and expansion, business engagement, workforce partnerships, marketing and communications, economic development leadership, and community collaboration. These recommendations include establishing and sustaining business engagement structures, improving resource navigation, strengthening workforce connections, enhancing the town’s economic development and tourism digital hubs, and elevating business success stories.
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