Stuart Arnett
Stuart Arnett

Stuart Arnett became the Managing Partner of the Arnett Development Group LLC in 2006. The Group succeeds an earlier development business established in 1987. The Group works with communities to develop their economies, and with business and governments to form collaborative projects. Clients include large municipalities, developers, small communities and both profit and not-for-profit entities. Services include research-based strategies with the option of on-site project implementation. Stuart is a founding member of the Better Future Alliance L3C that is based upon a belief that “…every community can have a better future.”

Prior to the re-establishment of this business, Stuart served for two terms – for three Governors – as the Director of Economic Development for the State of New Hampshire. The Director is the state’s lead person for economic development policy, business advocacy and services. It includes three enterprises: the one-stop Business Resource Center, the Portsmouth-based International Trade Resource Center, and Workforce Development Services. He was a Board member of the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, and chaired the state Telecommunications Development Board. During his tenure time, the state economy emerged quickly from a recession, and grew faster than any other New England state or the national average. The Division also successfully responded to two national flood disasters. See www.NHeconomy.com.

Prior to his appointment to the state position, Stuart was the Director of Development and Planning for the City of Claremont. Duties included serving as City Planner, Zoning Administrator and head of development. During his tenure, the city’s Development Authority’s net worth grew by more than 400 percent, while the city’s tax rate dropped for seven consecutive years. The city gained the attention of national media, including The Wall Street Journal and CBS’s 48 Hours, and it was chosen to host the historic “handshake” meeting between President Bill Clinton and U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Stuart was selected to serve as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank-Boston’s Community Development Advisory Council in 2006. He has been quoted nationally in publications including the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, and by the Associated Press.

Stuart holds a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University in Boston, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Orleans/LSU. Lebanon College granted him an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2007. He lives with his wife Janet, and son Curtis in Concord New Hampshire.