GOFFSTOWN, N.H. – The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce State of the City Address returned to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on Wednesday afternoon following a socially distanced version of the event in 2021.
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig’s 2020 State of the City Address was one of the last events at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire, and the mayor used the return to thank the assembled members of Manchester’s business community for their resiliency during the pandemic.
“We adapted to COVID-19 in ways that have enhanced our lives and our community,” she said. “As we continue forward, we know things will be different, but I know that we will come out stronger, because that’s what Queen City residents do.”
Craig’s address began with an overview of initiatives taken by the Manchester School District, followed by work done by the Manchester Health Department, Manchester Police Department and Manchester Fire Department as well as positive news from South Elm Street, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, and the Millyard. Craig also shared news about affordable housing units proposed at the former police headquarters and an exploratory committee to bring professional hockey back to Manchester.
After Craig’s address, she took questions from Scott Spradling, largely gathered from members of the Chamber. Here she touched back on several topics she noted in her address, particularly the importance of bringing commuter rail to Manchester and its role in stimulating economic development in the city.
Referencing the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s State of the State Address by Governor Chris Sununu earlier this month, Craig said that more information would be needed in terms of the price of building new infrastructure, but she also believed the potential benefits of bringing commuter rail to Manchester far outweighed any likely costs. She also noted the $66 billion in federal grants for rail projects currently available in stressing the urgency in moving forward with a project in the next four to six years.
“It’s time to bring commuter rail to Manchester,” she said.
In regard to economic development, she also noted efforts specifically geared toward revitalizing downtown, as well as the hiring of Manchester Economic Development Coordinator Jodie Nazaka and small business grants still available for initiatives or events paid for by American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Craig also stressed increased cooperation between New Hampshire’s mayors, particularly in regard to homelessness. On the topic of homelessness, she praised Manchester Director of Homeless Initiatives Schonna Green and urged those looking to help the homeless to follow Green’s lead toward coordinating homeless support to increase effectiveness.
That wasn’t the only praise she had, also dishing out plaudits to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Director Ted Kitchens and his work in recent years. Craig noted the airport as the likely biggest driver of economic development in the state and also noted the increase of cargo capacity currently being development, but also urged those in attendance to use the airport more to help entice airlines to bring new passenger route to the state.
Highlights:
- Launch of The Manchester Promise, a program in partnership with Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester Community College, and Duet. Once launched this program will enable Manchester public school students, who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity, to attend college debt-free.
- For the first time in Manchester’s history, the Health Department will collaborate with the New Hampshire National Guard to provide essential services for residents.
- The MPD is implementing new tactics to address the issue of guns on the streets and have established a community-focused gun crime problem-solving team, are holding bi-weekly meetings with law enforcement partners, and have deployed additional walking patrols to increase police presence and community engagement in neighborhoods. In 2021, MPD reports they have seized 81 illegal guns off the streets.
- In two years, Manchester exceeded the goal set in Mayor Craig’s 2020 State of the City to reduce CO2 emissions by 50 percent. Today, the City has realized a 58.4 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, thanks to the solar array, plus building and energy efficiencies.
- Manchester was named a finalist for the Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge Phase 1. The Phase 2 application was submitted on March 15. If awarded, the grant would bring $100M+ of federal investment into the region, accelerate job creation in tissue engineering and advanced aerial mobility; has the potential to create more than 20,000 jobs. The grant would also fund a pedestrian bridge over the Merrimack River connecting the Millyard to the West Side.
- The Economic Development Department will soon issue an RFP to update the City’s marketing and branding strategy, working with the state tourism board to continue solidifying Manchester’s place as a top destination in New Hampshire.
- Planning to convene an exploratory committee to work to bring hockey back to the Queen City.
- The City and MTA are committed to bringing innovative forms of public transportation to Manchester, including micro-transit; the City is in the process of piloting a program for on-demand bus service, and hopes to launch service in FY23.
- $8M dollars in federal funds allocated to develop new affordable housing; including $2.3M to construct 48 units at Kelley Falls (MHRA), renovate 101 units in the Elm Street Brownstones and Straw Mansion Apartments (NeighborWorks) and develop three studio apartments for young, at-risk adults (Waypoint).
- Established the Manchester Housing Commission to monitor housing stock and make recommendations to increase affordable housing options in the city.
- Currently finalizing proposals for 450+ new mixed-income apartments to be built on underutilized city-owned parking lots.
- The City is working with MHRA to offer additional incentives for landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers.
- Utilizing federal funds, the City in 2021 hired the City’s first Director of Homeless Initiatives, Schonna Green.
- Working with outreach teams to address the needs of those who are chronically homeless and collaborating with non-profits, faith-based organizations, businesses, and residents.
- Establishing new relationships with recovery service providers and, to date, have helped more than 30 individuals enter treatment who have remained in treatment and not returned to the streets.
