BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Rochester is working hard to maintain a balance between meeting the needs of business and industry and preserving our small, rural, New England town charm. Our goal is to create a place where people want to work and live.
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A key strategy to attracting new businesses to Rochester is keeping our existing businesses happy. City officials actively participate in Chamber sponsored events and other activities where they can meet with business leaders to hear questions and concerns. Some issues can be resolved by changes in policy or procedure, but other issues require financial resources.
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The creation and growth of small businesses is a vital part of any city's economic development, and an important source of jobs. In order to create and sustain a supportive environment for growing small businesses, the City of Rochester has created its JOB Loan Program to increase employment opportunities for low and moderate-income residents by providing low-interest loans to small businesses for job creation or retention. This revolving loan fund is capitalized through the City's federal Community Development Block Grant and is offered to businesses located within or relocating to the City.
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The entire New Hampshire seacoast area economy is closely tied to the greater Boston economy. In spite of this influence, there are several factors that allow the Rochester economy some independence, most importantly is our land resource. Rochester encompasses approximately 46 square miles, much of which is served by City infrastructure.
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Second is the large amount of land zoned for commercial and industrial use. An abundance of supply helps to keep land costs competitive. A third factor is the diversity of businesses located here. While the largest employers are high tech companies, the balance of our large employers represent a wide variety of manufacturing disciplines. A fourth important factor is that almost 1/3 of Rochester's work force travels more than 30 minutes to work. This professional and highly skilled component of our workforce will not show up in the unemployment statistics, but they represent a very important resource to Rochester businesses. A fifth important factor is Rochester's business and people friendly climate.
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Granite Ridge Development District
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Route 11 (Farmington Road) is used by many commuters and visitors traveling to and from the Seacoast and Lakes Regions of NH. It is a primary connection by southern New Hampshire with the Lakes Region and portions of Maine. Rochester's newest prime retail area, the Granite Ridge Development District, is conveniently located just off of Exit 15 of the Spaulding Turnpike. Development parcels are available for commercial, hospitality and office development.
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This new 329,000 square foot open-air center located at Exit 13 of the Spaulding Turnpike, features Lowe's, Kohl's, Famous Footware, Maurices, Staples, health care, restaurants and more.
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Features 319,000 square feet of retail space. Anchors include Kmart, Cinema, JC Penney, Sears, Hannaford Food & Drug and the NH Liquor Outlet.
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Multiple redevelopments in this commercial district have given the area a new look including Home Depot, Brock's Plywood Sales, Poulin Auto Country, the Globe Mall. The street will be reconfigured due to turnpike expansion plans.
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Route 125 North Commercial Corridor
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Neighborhood shopping and local favorites have found success in this highly traveled corridor, anchored by Market Basket Plaza with several shops.
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Route 125 South Commercial Corridor
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Starting in the village of Gonic at Exit 12 of the Spaulding Turnpike, this well traveled corridor has great visibility to more than 20,000 cars per day.
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Rochester's historic downtown has seen a resurgence in new business development. In addition to the Chamber, the downtown business community is supported by the Rochester Main Street organization. Various restaurant cuisines are found including Benedict's Grill, Hanson St. Grill, Fat Tony's Italian Grill, The Governor's Inn, Slim's Tex-Mex, Windjammer's Seafood Restaurant, China Palace Asian Diner, Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, Yo's Thai Cuisine and several pizza, sub and other casual dining options. Shopping options include antiques, appliances, art gallery, bridal, craft gallery, handbags and more. Arts and entertainment are provided at the historic Rochester Opera House.
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INDUSTRIAL PARKS
Granite State Business Park
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Granite State Business Park is a 200+ acre, high quality multi-use industrial and commercial complex offering affordable and plentiful buildable land. This new industrial park, on the south side of Rochester, houses Albany International Techniweave - a manufacturer of specialty fibers used in aerospace and other technical applications, Rand Whitney - manufacturer of corrugated containers. The Park has rail access from the New Hampshire Northcoast rail line on the east and has airport access from Skyhaven Airport on the west.
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New Hampshire Northcoast Industrial Park
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The New Hampshire Northcoast Industrial Park is an ideal location for heavier industries due to its very isolated location and superior rail access. North of Exit 16 of the Spaulding Turnpike on NH Route 125.
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One of Rochester's first manufacturing parks which continues to house successful and growing businesses today. Current tenants include Liberty Research, a machine tool facility, Textile Tapes, manufacturer of shoe laces and specialty tapes, and Spaulding Composites, manufacturing insulation tubing.
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Gerrity Business & Industrial Park
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Located in a mixed use area close to Rochester's downtown, is a 23.6 acre site abutted by the Boston and Maine Railroad on the west side of the property. It currently houses a number of small, thriving businesses and yet to be developed lots.
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Ten Rod Road Industrial Park
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The Ten Rod Road Industrial Park is a 73.8 acre park located adjacent to the Spaulding Turnpike, Exit 14. This expansive and conveniently located park is able to accommodate large and small companies with office space, manufacturing and research and development areas. Major tenants include Eastern Propane & Oil - oil, propane delivery and installation, Smart Assistive Technologies - low vision technology, Ashland Electric Products - manufacturer of electric motors and Laars Heating Systems - manufacturing commercial and residential boilers.
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Crossroads Industrial Park
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35.47 acres of office/R&D space and manufacturing/warehouse space in a strategic location off Exit 16 of the Spaulding Turnpike.
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Turnkey Recycling & Environmental Enterprise (TREE) Industrial Park
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A 1,216 acre, environmentally safe property owned by Waste Management. Waste Management offers short and long-term leases and provides its tenants with landfill gas, an efficient alternative energy resource. This "green" industrial park also includes a 100 acre Forest Management Area, a 199 acre landfill, the Mount Isinglass Recreation Area and a Material Recovery Facility.
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