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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Owners of Burnt Timber Tavern

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

As part of a collaborative, multi-state project to explore how rural communities can develop thriving tourism and recreation economies, the University... Learn More
Extension's Charlotte Thompson Awarded UNH Graduate Student Public Engagement and Outreach Award
Extension’s own Charlotte Thompson was recently awarded a selective and prestigious recognition from the University of New Hampshire’s Graduate School... Learn More
If you have ever driven on route 125 in southern New Hampshire, chances are you’ve passed through the Town of Barrington. But while some see Barringto... Learn More
What is needed to strengthen the viability of New Hampshire’s farms and food systems in today’s modern world? This is one of the big, timely questions... Learn More
New Hampshire’s Wildlife are significant features of community culture and contribute to our state’s identity and economic vitality. Throughout the Fa... Learn More
Vibrant downtowns serve as the heart of communities, offering social gathering spaces, economic opportunities, and a sense of place for the people who... Learn More

Events

Resources

Community events play a crucial role in fostering social capital, which is essential for community development. Social capital refers to the networks,... Learn More
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
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