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Economic Development Committee Agenda (minutes)

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Town of Salem, NH 
 
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Economic Development Committee   
  
 
 
         September 15, 2026 
MINUTES OF THE 
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (EDC) 
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September 15, 2026 
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The Economic Development Committee held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, 
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September 15, 2026, at the Salem Town Hall, 33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH. 
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Committee Members Present: Rick Dobzelecki; Bianca Carlson; Emily Samatis; Bonnie 
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Wright 
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Others Present: Crayton Brubaker, Assistant Town Planner; Steven Lee, NH Employment 
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Security 
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The meeting was called to order at 5:31 pm. 
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1. Steven Lee, NH Employment Security - Discussion on Unemployment and Other 
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NHES Programs 
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Mr. Lee, representing New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES), provided the committee 
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with an overview of programs and resources available to New Hampshire employers and job 
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seekers. He reviewed the NHES Job Match System, an online resource that allows employers 
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and job seekers to connect. Anyone may use the system to search for employment opportunities, 
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regardless of employment status, while individuals receiving unemployment benefits are 
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required to register. He also discussed job fairs and recruitment events coordinated by NHES. 
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Job fairs are held regularly throughout the state, and employers may also work with NHES 
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offices to host smaller recruitment events. Mr. Lee noted an increased interest in providing more 
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face-to-face recruitment opportunities.  
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Mr. Lee provided information about WorkInvestNH, which assists eligible NH employers with 
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training costs for existing and newly hired workers. The program can cover 50% of eligible 
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training expenses, with funding capped at approximately $76,000 per company annually. 
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Approximately $2 $3 million in grant funding is available statewide. The committee also 
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received information about the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program 
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administered by NHES. The program provides tax incentives to employers that hire individuals 
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from certain qualifying groups, including veterans and individuals facing barriers to 
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employment. 
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Mr. Lee highlighted the Data and Statistics section of the NHES website, which provides current 
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offices statewide. He identified business outreach and awareness as an ongoing challenge for 
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NHES and discussed the importance of connecting employers with the resources available to 
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them.  
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Ms. Carlson suggested making NHES information and resources available through the Town 
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website. 
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Town of Salem, NH 
 
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Economic Development Committee   
  
 
 
         September 15, 2026 
Following the presentation, the committee discussed the possibility of holding a future business 
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development programs. Potential topics could include WorkInvestNH, Economic Revitalization 
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Zones (ERZs), and the Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Program. 
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The committee discussed inviting larger Salem businesses to participate and potentially 
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partnering with the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Dobzelecki suggested that 
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Analogic could be approached to discuss its experience relocating to Salem, while Mr. Brubaker 
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noted that a local business or the high school could potentially serve as an event location. 
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The committee discussed targeting spring 2027, potentially March or April, for the outreach 
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event. 
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2. EDC Goals Memo Review 
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The committee reviewed the EDC Goals Memo outlining the goals adopted by the committee at 
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its August meeting and discussed forwarding the memo to the Town Council.  
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Mr. Brubaker suggested that Mr. Dobzelecki, as Chair, email the memo to the Town Manager 
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with a request that it be forwarded to the Town Council. The message would also indicate that 
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the EDC would be available to discuss the goals further with the Council if desired.  
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Motion by: Ms. Carlson 
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To approve the EDC Goals Memo letter and authorize the Chair to forward the memo to 
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the Town Manager for distribution to the Town Council.  
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Second: Mrs. Wright 
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Vote: 4-0-0 
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Motion Passes 
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3. Discussion on Future Outreach Programs - Commercial and Industrial Tax 
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Exemption Program 
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The committee continued its discussion of future business outreach opportunities and agreed that 
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the Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Program should be incorporated into the 
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proposed spring outreach event discussed under Item 1.  
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Ms. Carlson noted that it would be helpful to review and highlight the recent changes to the 
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program as part of the presentation. 
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The committee agreed to include the program as a topic in its planning for the future outreach 
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event. 
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4. Review of Minutes 
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a. August 18, 2026 Draft Minutes 
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Motion by Mrs. Samatis 
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To approve the August 18, 2026 meeting minutes as presented. 
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Town of Salem, NH 
 
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Economic Development Committee   
  
 
 
         September 15, 2026 
Second: Mrs. Wright 
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Vote: 3-0-1 with Ms. Carlson abstaining 
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Motion Passes 
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5. Other 
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Mr. Dobzelecki briefly raised the recent ethics training for committee members. No further 
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discussion was held.  
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6. Upcoming Meetings 
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The next regular meeting of the Economic Development Committee will be held on Tuesday, 
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November 17, 2026, followed by January 19, 2027.  
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The committee will not meet in October or December. 
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7. Adjourn 
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Motion by Ms. Carlon 
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To adjourn 
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Second: Mrs. Wright 
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Vote: 4-0-0 
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Motion Passes 
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ADJOURNMENT AT 6:22 PM 
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Notes/minutes taken by: 
Emily Samatis  
 
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