Economic Development Resources

Economic Development Administration (EDA) – As the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a critical role in facilitating regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Services in New Hampshire are coordinated by the Philadelphia regional office.   

Small Business Administration (SBA) – SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. 

Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program – The Rural Development program offers a variety of grant, loan, and technical assistance to communities, businesses, and individuals in rural areas. Eligibility varies by program but services are typically available in communities with fewer than 30,000 residents.  

NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) – The BEA is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the State of New Hampshire and promoting it as a destination for domestic and international visitors. Services are provided through the Division of Economic Development and the Division of Travel and Tourism. 

• NH Economy – Economic development and business resources from the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.
• NH Economic Recovery and Expansion Strategy (ERES) – This plan was adopted in 2021 to provide a roadmap for economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
• Choose NH – Business relocation and site selection resources from the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.
• Visit NH  – Visitor information, special events, and marketing from the Division of Travel and Tourism, a subsidiary of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.

NH Community Development Finance Authority (NHCDFA) – The Community Development Finance Authority supports community and economic development across New Hampshire by investing an average of $15 million of financial resources each year, including grants, loans, and New Hampshire state tax credits in support of municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses.  

NH Business Finance Authority (NHBFA) – The New Hampshire Business Finance Authority works with the state’s banking, business, and economic development sectors to develop and implement programs that foster economic development, create employment, and expand the availability of credit in the state.  

NH Small Business Development Center (NHSBDC) – SBDC’s dedicated team of certified business advisors delivers highly individualized, confidential advising at no charge to enterprises across New Hampshire. Services within the SRPC region are provided by the Seacoast regional office.  

UNH Cooperative Extension – The UNH Cooperative Extension provide a variety of community and economic development resources, technical assistance, and training opportunities for communities across the state.  

Strafford Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) – The Strafford Economic Development Corporation are non-profit business lenders providing business finance and technical assistance to Strafford County businesses since 1997. 

Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) – The Regional Economic Development Center is a private, non-profit organization that offers technical assistance, financing through various funding sources, and business development training.  

Wentworth Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) – WEDCO is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) regional economic development corporation founded in 1993 for the sole purpose of promoting economic growth in the eastern Lakes Region, including northern Strafford and southern Carroll County.  

Falls Chamber of Commerce – Chamber of commerce serving the communities of Somersworth; Rollinsford; Berwick, ME; North Berwick, ME; and South Berwick, ME. 

Explore Moose Mountains – Explore Moose Mountains is a grass-roots collaboration celebrating all the WONDERFUL in Wakefield, Milton, New Durham, Middleton, Farmington, Brookfield, and Wolfeboro. 

Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. 

EPA Region 1 – Direct grant administration and assistance to grantees is provided through EPA regional offices. Region 1 provides these services to all of New England 

NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) – The NH Brownfields Program encourages the redevelopment of contaminated properties through a variety of approaches that address the uncertainty and liability concerns associated with brownfields sites. These approaches include: Brownfields Covenant Program, Brownfields Assessment Program, Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund, and the NHDES/Grantee Brownfields Partnership. 

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities (TAB) Program – The EPA sponsors three “Technical Assistance to Brownfields” centers around the country to provide free technical assistance to existing or potential brownfields grantees and their partners. In Region 1 these services are provided by the New Jersey Institute of Technology.