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UNH extension, town unveil Community Business Engagement report and next steps for Exeter businesses
Summary
UNH Cooperative Extension and the town presented a Community Business Engagement report summarizing 94 survey responses, 40 interviews and 26 student-led intercept surveys. Recommendations include forming a volunteer business liaison group, improving communications and follow-up on parking and workforce strategies.
Town economic development staff and UNH Cooperative Extension presented a Community Business Engagement (CBE) report to the Select Board on July 13 outlining a multi-method outreach effort to local businesses.
Darren (town economic development) overviewed the process and thanked volunteers and students. Field specialist Nate Bernitz (UNH Cooperative Extension) said the project collected 94 online survey responses, conducted 40 interviews, held two focus groups and completed 26 student-led intercept surveys. He described the findings as a mix of strengths (quality-of-life assets, downtown walkability, institutional anchors such as Phillips Exeter Academy and local hospitals) and ongoing challenges (workforce and housing constraints, parking, and succession planning — the report found 72% of respondents lacked a succession plan).
The presenters proposed a menu of short-, medium- and long-term recommendations: form a volunteer business-liaison group to continue relationship-building, use tactical interim steps to implement the downtown parking study, improve communications and data-sharing, and pursue workforce development and housing strategies. They emphasized that the report is a UNH product being turned over to the town and that implementation will require local leadership and accountability structures.
Board members welcomed the report and discussed next steps, including potential town-supported volunteer structures, partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, and quarterly updates to the Select Board during implementation.
