2009 Annual Report - Belknap County
2009 Annual Report - Belknap County
2009 Annual Report - Belknap County
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<strong>Belknap</strong> <strong>County</strong> Economic Development Council<br />
<strong>2009</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> to <strong>Belknap</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />
To the Honorable Commissioners:<br />
Since establishing the Council in July of 1992, we have been providing economic<br />
development and business assistance to municipalities and existing, new, and prospective<br />
businesses on a request basis without charge. As a regional development<br />
organization, we strive for a climate that understands what sustainable economic<br />
development is and how it works, as well as the importance of planning and maintaining<br />
the economic infrastructure and wellbeing of the community and region.<br />
In our regional capacity, we have worked to unify the efforts of the region while<br />
remaining ever mindful of the desire to preserve the uniqueness of our communities.<br />
The organization is structured as a non-profit 501(c)(6) regional development<br />
corporation with 100 Incorporators representing <strong>Belknap</strong> <strong>County</strong> municipalities,<br />
businesses, organizations, and residents. The Incorporators elect a Board of Directors<br />
consisting of up to 21 members.<br />
Outreach and Networking:<br />
<strong>2009</strong> started as slowly as 2008 ended; the economy continued to flag and the<br />
Federal Government worked to enact stimulus legislation through the American<br />
Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Shortly after the <strong>Annual</strong> Meeting, the BCEDC<br />
realized the heightened need to connect and collaborate with political leaders,<br />
state organizations, municipalities, business leaders and non-profit partners. The<br />
Executive Director attended the Governor’s Information Session on ARRA at<br />
UNH, the Governor’s Manufacturing Leadership Roundtable at SNHU, hosted<br />
and participated in the NH Business Review Regional Economic Roundtable, and<br />
hosted with partner Lakes Region SCORE a listening session with Congresswomen<br />
Carol Shea Porter. Dissemination of the information gathered was achieved<br />
through the hosting of an Incorporator information session “Hot Topics, Cold<br />
Lunch,” attending the Small Business Financing Fair organized by Senator Shaheen’s<br />
office, having the Executive Director of the BCEDC profiled in the Laconia<br />
Citizen and interviewed on Live United with Judy Taggart (aired on Lakes<br />
Region Public Access).<br />
<strong>Belknap</strong> <strong>County</strong> Commissioners<br />
47
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