James Burdin, regional economic development planner, and Shayna Sylvia, communications and outreach planner, attended a meeting of representatives from the tri-cities on Thursday, Mar. 7. The meeting was the second opportunity for economic development staff from Rochester, Dover, and Somersworth to meet with COAST and SRPC to discuss ties between economic development and transit.
It also served as an opportunity to involve the local chambers of commerce and downtown main street entities, and as a way to leverage their connections to local business. Conversation focused on possible expansion of transit service (provided by COAST) that could foster additional economic development in the three cities. The group is early on in its planning processes, but hopes to create or leverage an event that would encourage riders to use a connector bus between the tri-citi.
SRPC is supporting this effort given its ties to both transportation and economic development planning. A recent funding application to the NH Hampshire Department of Transportation for a Federal Transit Administration Transit Planning Grant, if successful, would support the continued coordination of these efforts.
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