Keene EDC Type A reviews 2025–26 budget, weighs bigger legal, marketing and incentive spending

The Keene Economic Development Corporation Type A board reviewed a draft fiscal year 2025–26 budget and discussed several proposed increases to spending on legal services, marketing and business-retention incentives at a board meeting on June 18, 2025. Board members directed staff to refine line-item numbers and return next month for final consideration; no budget vote was taken at the meeting. The board did approve the minutes of its May 21, 2025 regular meeting by voice vote (tally not specified).

The discussion centered on revenue and several proposed increases. Finance Director Mira said staff projects $368,200 in sales-tax revenue for the EDCA and, counting lower projected interest, a total revenue estimate of about $374,200 for 2025–26. "Last year it was only 340,000, but we know that these major retailers are coming," Mira said when describing her revenue model and how she averaged comparable cities to reach the figure.

Board members and staff said those revenues leave room to consider higher allocations in a few categories. Don Martin, the city's director of development, and members discussed…