News & Events

Trying to keep up with everything going on in Manchester? Check out our latest news here:

Manchester ranked one of the top 10 Mid-Sized Metro Areas to live in the country.  Portfolio.com ranked Manchester the 10th best place to live among mid-sized metro areas.  The ranking highlighted Manchester's highly educated population, low unemployment rate and overall quality of life.  Click here to read the article.

 

Manchester, NH has been chosen as the host city for the 2010 World's Championship Chili Cookoff (WCCC) sanctioned by the International Chili Society.  The World's Championship Chili Cookoff is an annual event which brings more than 200 cooks from around the country who have won their regional chili cookoff together to compete for a chance to win a $25,000 prize and be named the World's Chili Cookoff Champion.  Past host cities have included Phoenix, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Omaha.  The WCCC will take place October 1-3rd at Veteran's Park.  More information to come.  Click here to view the 2010 WCCC homepage.

 

Manchester is ranked one of the most livable cities in the US by Forbes Magazine.  Highlighting Manchester's low crime and unemployment rate and high education and quality of life, Forbe's Magazine just named the Manchester- Nashua MSA as the 7th most livable city in the US.  Click here to read the article

 

Manchester featured in April 2010 edition of Architect Magazine highlighting the cities various development projects that continue despite the economy which has stalled development in other cities.  The article focuses on four of Manchester's largest development projects including the Elliot Hospital at River's Edge, the New Hampshire Institute of Art, the Pandora Building restoration and the expansion and renovation of the Hillsborough County North Superior Court.  Even though the economy has slowed down development in many cities across the country, Manchester is committed to economic growth through development projects such as the ones described in this article.  Click here to read the article. 

 

Manchester continues to be a leader as a “green city”. The TJ Maxx Shopping Center on South Willow St will be the first parking lot in the country to be retrofitted with a state-of-the-art Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting system. The new LED system will reduce energy consumption by up to 65%.  The reduction in energy use resulting in lower utility costs is not the only advantage to using the LED system.  The LED lighting system has a longer life than traditional sodium and metal halide fixtures which will significantly decrease maintenance and labor costs. To view the article click here. 

The Elliot at River's Edge , the largest development project in Manchester in approximately 30 years, marks the first step in completion of the project with a public event and ceremony.  Elliot at River's Edge will be marking the topping off of the first building with a public event Thursday, April 15th at 9:00am at 460 Elm St (across from Van Otis Chocolate).  The public will have the opportunity to sign the final beam that will be used to top off the building in a public ceremony on Wednesday, May 5th from 6:00-8:00pm at River's Edge.  The beam will be available to sign from 7:00am-7:00pm until Tuesday, May 4th.  Please click here for a flyer to the beam signing event, and click here for a flyer to the Topping off Ceremony on May 5th.

 

Economic Development moves forward in Manchester despite the economic downturn.  Manchester was featured in the March/April 2010 edition of Northeast Real Estate Business.  There is no better time to invest in economic development than during an economic downturn.  This article summarizes the economic development projects in Manchester that focus on the commercial real estate market and a few of the business assistance programs the economic development office offers to encourage investment in our great city.  To view the Northeast Real Estate Business article click here.  For a quick update on the River's Edge at Elliot project, the largest development project in Manchester in more than 30 years, click here.

 

Downtown Manchester featured on NHPR's The Exchange with Laura Knoy.  Click here to listen to Jay Minkarah, Manchester's Director of Economic Development, as he discusses the state of downtown Manchester and how Manchester has been able to thrive during these tough economic times while other downtown areas continue to struggle.   

Plans move forward for the redevelopment of one of Manchester’s historic Millyard buildings.  Brady Sullivan Properties has recently sold a 14,000 sq. ft. space to Millworks Investment LLC. The 555,774 sq. ft Mill building located at 195 McGregor St already houses tenants such as The Moore Center, Catholic Medical Center and Granite State College. Brady Sullivan Properties is planning to build up to 180 residential units in the north side of the building. The project would be the city's first mixed-use mill redevelopment.  Click here to read the story.

 

Granite State Export Forum -Moderated by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.  Join US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, representatives from federal and state trade organizations, and small business leaders on Wednesday, March 31 from 8:30-10:00am at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, Saint Anselms College in Manchester, NH, for a panel discusion on the resources available to help small businesses explore export opportunities and expand into new markets.  Panelists and attendees will be able to meet and network following the program.  Click here for further information and how to RSVP.

 

Manchester Economic Development Office provides $100,000 in loans to local businesses through the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EERLF).  The Manchester Economic Development Office (MEDO) recently closed four loans to three Manchester small business owners; Circa 1906, Delisle Hillsborough Market, and Margie's Dream.  To read the press release click here.  For more information on the RLF, EERLF, and other business incentives click here.

Amoskeag Business Incubator Announces “Ask-the-Expert” program for January 2010. The Amoskeag Business Incubator’s on-line interactive “Ask-the-Expert” series for January will feature Michele Petersen, ABI’s Vice President, on the topic: A New Year...A New Business?  To ask the expert or find out more about the program, click here.

Manchester Economic Development Office closes two Loans. The Manchester Economic Development Office closed two Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) loans this week: a $10,000 loan for Circa 1906, a new specialty take-out and catering establishment opening at 1362 River Road and a $30,000 loan for Shaggin', a full service hair salon opening soon at 1001 Elm Street. The RLF bridges gaps in private financing to help new and expanding businesses purchase equipment, make building improvements and obtain working capital.

Manchester is ranked by Men's Health Magazine as one of the best places for Men to live.  Highlighting Manchester's high quality of life and nationally-recognized healthcare facilities, Manchester was ranked the sixth best place to live for men in the country.  Read the complete article, click here.

 

Manchester Earns High Marks for College Atmosphere according to The American Institute for Economic Research.   Manchester ranks 16th out of 124 small metropolitan areas, coming in just ahead of Portland, Maine.   Read the complete article here.

Manchester Economic Development Office Makes Loan to Sterling Linen Services. The City's Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) provides financial assistance to Manchester businesses for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs. Recently, a $100,000 loan was made to Sterling Linen Services, a growing laundry service which expects to create up to 35 new jobs. Read the press release here.

Manchester-Based Manufacturer General Cable Named one of IndustryWeek's Best Plants. IndustryWeek highlights General Cable's "world-class manufacturing at (its) Manchester, N.H. operation" in the publication's 2008 Best Plants Profile. Read the whole story here.

Manchester is the Second Most Tax-Friendly City in the U.S. Kiplinger.com knows it's all about keeping what you earn - and so does Manchester. We're second on Kiplinger's list of the Top Ten Most Tax-Friendly Cities in the nation. Read about it here.  

CNN Money Ranks Manchester 13th on the List of Best Places to Live and Launch. Manchester has captured the number 13 spot on CNN Money's list of Best Places to Live and Launch, thanks to the city's pro-business climate, healthy industries - including high-tech - and an impeccable quality of life. Read the story here.

Manchester Featured in January Edition of Northeast Real Estate Business. The city is highlighted in this cover story which features current projects, including the large-scale River's Edge development. Read the story here.

Manchester's Efforts to Attract and Retain Young Professionals Highlighted. In this feature, the Cape Cod Times highlights Manchester's efforts to attract and retain young professionals and therefore a dynamic workforce. Read the story here.

The State of New Hampshire tops "Most Livable State" list. For the fifth straight year, CQ Press named New Hampshire the Most Livable State in the nation. The ranking is based on 44 factors, including crime rates, business tax climate, employment, health education and median household income. According to CQ, New Hampshire ranked highly in "a number of important quality-of-life measures, boasting low crime, low poverty and high income levels as well as a well-educated population." Click here to learn more about Manchester, New Hampshire and relocating your business or family here.