The Rochester Advantage
Leading the New Hampshire Recovery
State of the City – March 5, 2013
What is the Rochester Advantage?
• People• Growth• Location• Commitment • Amenities• Value• Potential
Leading Indicators
Strategic Goals Relevant Measures
Implement the City’s Route 11 Corridor Plan
MS-1, Business Starts, Building Permits, TIF Plan, Announcements
Acquire and Expand Business Parks
TIF Plan, Public Infrastructure, Land Sales
Become a Main Street Community
Main Street Stats
Reinforce Business Retention & Expansion Program
# Firms Visited, Referrals, Expansions & Assistance
Expand Economic Development Capacity
# Staff & Volunteers, Training, Materials, Communication
Improve the City’s Development Review Process
Completed Apps, PB Meetings to Approval, Variances, Complaints
Stimulate Additional Education & Training Opportunities
Facilities & Students Enrolled, Educational Attainment
Leading Indicators
Strategic Goals Relevant Measures
Reposition Underperforming Properties
MS-1, Building Permits, ERZ Zones, TIF Zones, Sales
Create a TIF District to Fund Infrastructure Investment
TIF Zones, Public vs. Private Investment
Position the City as the Region’s Foremost Entrepreneurial City
Resources for Start-Ups, # Start-ups, # of Small Biz
Positively Impact the Image of City Government and Schools
Branding Initiative, Unification of Message
Invest in Downtown Neighborhood Improvements
Public Investment by Ward or Zone
Maximize Impact of Spaulding Turnpike Expansion
MS-1, Building Permits, Variances, Sales
Collaborate with Chamber of Commerce
Joint Ventures or Projects
Opportunities for the Future
Strategic Goals Relevant Measures
Master Plan for Skyhaven Airport Use of Airport, Use for or by Biz, Land Values & Rents
Master Plan for Rochester Fairgrounds
Use of Fairgrounds, # Visitors, Crime Reports, Land Values & Rents
Downtown Building Owners Association
% of Local Ownership, Participation in Main Street Events, Investment
Comprehensive Tax Base Analysis N/A – Point to underperforming areas & opportunities
Update Downtown Master Plan Ten Years with Much Success, Ready for More
Evaluate Downtown Traffic & Wayfinding
Traffic Counts, Foot Traffic, Downtown Survey, Visitors to DT
Expand & Improve Public Transit Ridership & Distance to a Transit Location
Employment Growth
NH Employment Security – Rochester-Dover MetroNECTA
Private Sector Employment
Earnings &
• Per Capita Income $27,902
• Median Earnings – Male full-time $47,483
• Median Earnings – Female full-time $36,507
• Families with SNAP (last 12 months) 10.1%
• Women owned firms 30.1%
• Firms in Rochester 2,325
• Small Business 99%
Family Incomes
Mean Family Income $77,001 Median Family Income $64,375
Educational Attainment
Housing • Housing Units 13,372• Ownership 70.4%• Persons Per
Household 2.39
Market Advice What advice would you
have for a Rochester home buyer @ this point, as will home prices also be increasing due to new aviation business coming soon?
Asked by Linda, Somersworth, NH • Jan 13, 2013
I don't think we are going to see any immediate surge in home prices however I do think this is an excellent time to buy. Prices are at the low end of the curve at the same time as interest rates, creating a great opportunity for home buyers. I think we will see home prices begin to increase at a normal or modest rate over the next few years along with the expanding economic recovery. The pent up demand created by slow sales of the past several years may cause some area increases that are faster than others. Either way 2013 should be a great year to invest in Rochester and your future
Tim Fontneau, Agent, Rochester, NH
Development Stats
2012 Taxable Property
Commercial & Industrial
Arts & Economic Prosperity
Downtown Business District• Reinvestment Stats• Increased Occupancy rates on
North Main St. & Hanson Street• Overall 5% increase since 2006• Total of 222 businesses currently in
the Downtown Business District• Total of 391 Projects since 2006• Total Private Investment of
$5,240,049• Investment Ratio: $1/$29.94• Annual Tax Revenue Increase:
$125,183.60
• Brown Bag Concert Series Returning on Fridays
• Raised more than $43,000 in donations & grants for Parson Main & Central Square
The Rochester Main Street Program volunteers work constantly to make Downtown a destination for entertainment, shopping & dining.
Can We Compete?
• Technology Changes– Software– Mobility– Social Media
• New Staff• Changing Roles• Customer Service!• Adapt to changing
budgets and expectations
Mission & Results Directed Team & Network Driven Accountable for Results