Hassan Ready to Partner with Londonderry on Pettengill Road

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) is ready to partner with Londonderry and Manchester to move forward a long-awaited development on Pettengill Road.

Hassan joined realtors, community planners and politicians on all levels of state and federal government Wednesday for a briefing on the project at the Executive Health & Sports Club. The event was hosted by the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission. (SNHPC)

The $13 million development could bring between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs to the area, according to Hassan.

She stressed that New Hampshire's completion of the Manchester-Boston Regional airport access road – Raymond Wieczorek Drive – was the first push of momentum needed for Pettengill.

"The state did invest in the completion of the access road so I think that was a great first step," Hassan said. "I think it shows that what happens with a little bit of upfront investment, it spurs other activity and other interest, which is also why I was very happy to sign a letter supporting the application for the TIGER grant to the federal government."

The town submitted a TIGER grant application on June 3, requesting $8.2 million in federal funding for the construction.

"When businesses know that there is commitment to an access road, or commitment to Pettengill Road funding, when they know that, they'll take a bit of a risk and start developing, too," Hassan added.

The governor was joined at the table by Russ Thibeault, president of the Laconia-based Applied Economic Research.

His firm was hired to conduct an economic analysis of Pettengill Road. Thibeault said that the development space contains about 1,000 acres of land.

Thibeault explained that with the road's proximity to the airport, the development area is perhaps the most attractive in all of New England, comparable to the Pease International aviation and industrial development in Portsmouth.

Brian O'Neill, deputy director of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport said that when they speak with airlines about opportunities to grow in New Hampshire, Pettengill Road is always a topic of discussion.

"We're here as a cheerleader, we're here as a landowner and we're here as a huge benefactor," he said.

Londonderry GIS Manager and Comprehensive Planner John Vogl said the town has coordinated visiting sessions to the area since 2003.

He said the development could feature a mix of manufacturing, industry, office and supported retail space.

Jeffrey Rose, Director of the New Hampshire Department of Resource and Economic Development, noted the importance of infrastructure to a state's economic progress.

"This is really one of those moments where you have the opportunity to define what your future is going to look like."

David Preece, executive director of the SNHPC, also highlighted the importance of infrastructure to economic development.

"We want to expand the commercial and the industrial tax base of our communities and our region. And we want to create those opportunities that creates a welcoming environment for those types of businesses that we want to attract."

Acting Town Manager Bill Hart, District 4 Executive Councilor Chris Pappas and state Sen. Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) attended the forum. Londonderry Reps. Al Baldasaro (R) and Lisa Whittemore (R) were also present.

Should the TIGER grant fail, the town could also pay for the development through a tax-increment finance district (TIF). Vogl said that the grant application is for 100 percent funding.