Economic Development

link to video on community assistanceNCIC’s economic development efforts include:
  • Supporting mid-sized companies expand through CDBG based lending.
  • Guiding and participating with communities and local economic development groups to develop strategic infrastructure.
  • Helping small businesses develop funding options for and managing specialized technical assistance.
  • Acting as fiscal agent for local economic development organizations
Examples of NCIC’s economic development projects include:
  • The Cellars at Jasper Hill – NCIC assisted with both technical assistance and lending to create the twenty two thousand square foot facility with seven underground vaults. The Cellars is a cutting edge, state-of-the-art artisan cheese aging facility bringing added value to the dairy farms of the region. The Cellars is the first of its kind in the United States and a local economic engine. For more information, see http://www.cellarsatjasperhill.com/

  • Groveton Industrial Park – NCIC’s economic development work centers on innovation and perseverance. When Wausau Paper closed in Groveton, 303 people lost their jobs. The paper industry was the backbone of the community for decades. The mill paid well and it was the centerpiece of the economy there.

    Many in the community believed they needed an industrial park to entice business to Groveton so NCIC began working in partnership with the Groveton Regional Economic Action Team. NCIC received USDA Rural Development funding to complete a feasibility study. With that complete we are now working to set up funding and management structures for industrial parks and talking to landowners about potential sites. The plan is to bring a mix of small manufacturing and other business to Groveton, to help the community regain its economic strength. The final report can be viewed by opening the attached document.

  • Groveton Feasibility Study Part 1
  • Groveton Feasibility Study Part 2
  • Groveton Feasibility Study Part 3

  • Littleton Area Learning Center – LALC is a 30,000 square foot facility that is a one stop shop for career and educational services. It was developed and owned by Littleton Industrial Development Corporation (LIDC) and NCIC. The goal of the LALC is to address the need to expand education opportunities and upgrade the skills of area residents in the North Country of New Hampshire to help develop a skilled workforce for area employers.

  • AVER – NCIC’s partnership with the Androscoggin Valley Economic Recovery Corporation demonstrates a novel approach to a complex series of problems. AVER was formed in 2001, when the Berlin and Gorham mills ceased operation, in an effort to help the area recover. NCIC acts as AVER’s fiscal agent, provides support staff, and acts as an umbrella organization as it carries out its mission to promote economic and community development, Main Street revitalization, health and human service improvements, and recreational and tourism opportunities.

  • Berlin Housing – Having lost its paper production, the population of Berlin, New Hampshire has declined and is now just over half of what it was in the City’s heyday. Through it all, the city found itself having an excess of sub-standard housing. To encourage economic development in that city, NCIC has partnered with the community to help overcome these conditions.

    There was a tremendous challenge ahead and the city needed a full-time housing coordinator. NCIC received federal funds, which the city matched and the work began. He helped revise the City’s codes, inspections were ramped up and work began to improve the living conditions of a number of properties. Over 1,000 housing units were brought up to or verified to be in compliance with code. Excess, sub-standard housing was slated for demolition.

    The removal and repair of blighted housing stock will help Berlin meet its goals of enticing new business and encouraging economic development -- and increasing the city’s property values and tax base.

  • Ethan Allen Closing – It has happened again as Ethan Allen laid off of more than 250 in Beecher Falls and we are working with the local leaders in its recovery as well. We are committed to doing what we can to help these and all the communities in our territory find, build and refine its own unique economic model so to prosper. So while these devastating blows from job losses must be directly responded to with great energy and purpose, we realize we need to look forward and ensure we are cultivating an environment for long term job creating business to occur.