2009 Annual Report - Belknap County

Notwithstanding these efforts Belknap County communities were still eager
for information and assistance. In its summer newsletter, the BCEDC offered
a mid-year Economic Snapshot for the area. The Council continued outreach
on a regional basis through participation with the Lakes Region Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy Committee (Chairperson of CEDS) and through
membership in the NH Alliance of Regional Development Corporations (President
of the organization for 2009). In the fall of 2009, the BCEDC and several
Board of Director members participated in the Governor’s Regional Jobs Cabinet
for the Lakes Region (hosted by State of NH Department of Resources and
Economic Development) and subsequently hosted a second Regional Economic
Roundtable session with Business NH Magazine.
Revolving Loan Fund:
By mid-year the BCEDC had closed on two loans for about $370,000 and was
approved with the Town of Barnstead for a $500,000 Community Development
Block Grant for a start up wood pellet manufacturing facility on an underutilized
135-acre site. Continued economic distress led to stepped up response for technical
assistance and key partner Lakes Region SCORE offered on-line counseling as
well as face-to-face consultations. As a result, Lakes Region SCORE counseling
efforts more than doubled with 221 face-to-face consultations (first and follow-on
meetings) and 483 on-line sessions (new and follow-up meetings).
The 2009 business climate remained slow as the year ended, although for the full
year the BCEDC Revolving Loan Fund closed on four loans for $900,000 and
felt a renewed sense of hope as counseling session productivity improved and
loan applications increased. 2010 is shaping up to look slightly better than 2009;
however, the climb out of the recession will be long and the detours many.
Marketing and Community Involvement:
The BCEDC has long been a supporter of many other non-profit organizations
in the Lakes Region, which further the goals of the BCEDC. The Council continues
to provide administrative support and office facilities to Lakes Region
SCORE and Leadership Lakes Region. The Executive Director has for the past
few years chaired and spoken at Leadership Lakes Region’s Economic Development
Session Day. In 2009, BCEDC Program Coordinator Lyn O’Callaghan
graduated from Leadership Lakes Region and proceeded to also get involved
chairing History & Culture Day for Leadership Lakes Region and serving on the
2009-10 Lakes Region United Way Campaign Team.
48 2009 Annual Report