Snow day, shmoe day. 

So, we finally got some snow this week. Thursday was the first day that we actually had a winter day beyond just a really frigid day. Okay, so maybe we had two or three other days of snow this winter, but really, it isn’t like when I was a boy!

City Hall was closed on Thursday. It is one of the few days that I can remember City Hall being closed due to snow. Like the others, it is done to discourage folks from driving unnecessarily. Why create the hazard of travel when you don’t need to? So, is it a day to sit in front of the TV and veg? Not for me. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the meetings for Thursday began to be canceled or postponed. A few happened virtually, but overall, Thursday was more about quiet, head-down working. In case you're interested in what the day looked like, here we go:

4:30-7:30 a.m.: Normal day, wake, meditate, work out, coffee, and read.

7:30-8:00 a.m.: Reach out to folks about meetings that were still on to confirm people had internet.

8:00-8:30 a.m.: Emails.

8:30-9:00 a.m.: Review a draft lease sent for the waterfront from a potential tenant.

9:00-9:15 a.m.: Virtual meeting with the City Attorney to review lease terms

9:15-9:30 a.m.: Review purchase materials of the solar panels on the Indoor Pool.

9:30-10:00 a.m.: Phone call with a developer about a development agreement and expectations for Planning Board review.

10:00-10:15 a.m.: Review resolutions for April 10 City Council meeting.

10:15-10:30 a.m.: Discuss levels of the Cochecho River around waterfront with staff.

10:30-11:15 a.m.: Virtual meeting on the proposed Inspection Services building on Mast Road.

11:15-11:30 a.m.: Review email/notes on a lease from City Attorney.

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Call with attorney representing the tenant/lease.

12:00-12:15 p.m.: Update Waterfront Committee chair on negotiations.

12:15-12:45 p.m.: Lunch.

12:45-1:15 p.m.: Review Portland Maine Housing Dashboard.

1:00-1:15 p.m.: Emails

1:15- 1:30 p.m.: Review need for outside realtor on potential land sales.

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Draft letter summarizing discussion with developer.

2:30-3:00 p.m.: Prep for meeting with Waterfront Development team on Friday.

3:00-3:30 p.m.: Prep for meeting with Senator Shaheen’s office on Friday.

3:30-4:00 p.m.: Draft summary of lease for CWDAC members to review.

4:00-4:30 p.m.: Emails.

4:30-5:00 p.m.: Draft this.

Have a great weekend,

Christopher G. Parker, AICP

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

Upcoming Small Business Event

By Abigail Gilbert,

UNH Semester for Impact Intern

As part of my internship with the City of Dover, I’ve been given the opportunity to assist Dover’s Office of Business Development in organizing an educational panel event in collaboration with the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC).

Scheduled for April 15, this panel event will explore how small businesses can successfully transition to brick-and-mortar, covering key aspects such as financing, marketing, and strategies for ensuring resiliency. This topic was chosen in response to the many barriers that entrepreneurs face when establishing a physical presence, with the aim of providing a valuable resource for up-and-coming business owners.

This panel will present a variety of well-credentialed panelists, including Reid Bickley from the City of Dover’s Office of Business Development, NH SBDC staff members Ed Miles and Amy Sterndale, and Roni Watkins, owner of My Country Story in Dover. Each of these panelists has extensive experience working closely with small businesses and they are excited to offer their insights into both the challenges and opportunities associated with businesses establishing a physical presence.

The “Successfully Moving Your Small Business to Brick-and-Mortar” panel event will be held on April 15, from 8-9 a.m. in the McConnell Center, and will be a great resource to business owners who are currently undergoing or considering this transition. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights that can support your small businesses next journey.

To register and learn more about this free event, click here.

Shop Local Late!

Today, April 5, is the first Friday of the month which means it's time to shop local late!

From 5-8 p.m., our local Dover retail businesses will be extending their operating hours into the evening to allow residents and visitors in the community to shop late and show their support.

Come out for some evening fun!

Exhibit Art from Dover Art Beat in Your Business

The Dover Arts Commission (DAC) will be hosting the annual Art Beat program in April - June 2024. The goal is to connect visual artists with businesses by creating opportunities that encourage local businesses to display local art. This gives artists an alternate display venue and gives business the opportunity to support the arts.

If you are interested in exhibiting, email Jane Hamor at j.hamor@dover.nh.gov for more information.

Question of the Week

The Office of Business Development is asking a “question of the week” to get your feedback on topics related to our local business community!

This week, we encourage you to take the Dover Housing Survey!

Submit your responses here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZSPQRHG

Here are the results from last week's poll, which asked "What type of community events or business resources would you like to see promoted by the Office of Business Development?"

Dover Download podcast: Your guide

to what's happening this week

In the latest episode of Dover Download, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Brian Early from the Media Services Department and Erin Bassegio from the Planning Department about the activities of Dover's boards, commissions, and committees in March.

The podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and by clicking here.

Business Event Happenings 

Looking for something in Dover? The Office of Business Development continues to update the community calendar to cover all the amazing Dover business events.

Click here or on the calendar below to find more community events!

Click here to add your events to the community calendar.