Here in Dover, we value forethought in our plans and activities and strive to think creatively. That’s why we focus on strategic planning and our Master Plan, the latter of which was the focus of the City Council's Feb. 5 workshop. Planning Director Donna Benton presented an update to the City Council on progress in implementing the Master Plan, reviewing achievements, and looking ahead to updating the next chapter, "Land Use," which recently got underway.

The Land Use chapter discusses our community's goals and objectives regarding housing, economic development, and other tangible development. The Planning Board formed a steering committee to shepherd this chapter through its year-long review and updating process. There will be opportunities along the way to provide feedback and be invested in the project.

The Strafford Regional Planning Commission has recently announced the start of "Forward Thinking: A Comprehensive Plan for the Strafford Region," a project to update its master plan that focuses on the broader region, identifying the values, priorities, needs, and aspirations of the residents, businesses, and communities, and ensures their voices and perspectives act as the plan's foundation.

Like our local Master Plan, it covers everything from land use and environment to housing, transportation, and economic development. And like our local plan, it relies on community engagement, feedback, and input. One way to participate is through its region-wide survey to gather, which is open through March 28. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/srpcforward; it takes about five minutes to complete. I've taken it and can attest that it has thoughtful questions and is designed for easy feedback.

Read SRPC's press release about the project: https://conta.cc/4hi6ENf. Want to learn more and get involved? Visit https://strafford.org/projects/forward-thinking/

Local and regional planning are critical to our success, and I hope you can contribute your thoughts and vision to these projects.  

Have a great week, 

Christopher G. Parker, AICP

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

Local Business Highlight

By Reid Bickley,

Business Development Specialist

Profile Bank Expands to Dover 

Dover’s vibrant business and residential community welcomes a new partner as Profile Bank recently opened its doors downtown at 538 Central Ave. With a strong reputation as a trusted New Hampshire institution, the bank chose this location for its accessibility, high foot traffic, and commitment to innovation, economic expansion, and community development. Minimal renovations allowed the team to focus on delivering personalized, community-driven banking almost immediately. Convenient parking and a drive-up window ensure easy access, while a dedicated team of seven full-time employees provides outstanding service. During my visit, I was met with many warm, welcoming smiles.

Owned by its depositors, Profile Bank prioritizes local decision-making, fast loan approvals, and community-focused financial products. Its board of directors includes local small business owners, reinforcing its support for area businesses. New account holders receive special gifts and existing customers can earn gifts for referrals. This month’s giveaway is a Crock-Pot, while past gifts have included Apple AirPods and more!

During my wonderful conversation with Sherry Norton, Porfile's vice president of commercial lending, I learned that Profile Bank fosters a positive workplace culture where employees celebrate each other through a recognition program, internal newsletter, and appreciation weeks. This supportive environment encourages growth and engagement across all branches.

With over 100 years of combined staff experience in the Dover branch alone, leaders like Sherry and Market Manager Wanda Walker are eager to make a lasting impact and integrate themselves into our community. Whether you're a business owner, a new resident, or just looking for a better banking experience, they invite you to stop in and say hello!

Profile Bank's Dover team is ready to work with you. From left: Nicole, Alicia, Wanda, Sherry, Amber and Kayla.

How to Write Captivating Headlines and Calls to Action

We are all guilty of scrolling through social media until something catches our eye. For a brief second, an image or phrase grabs our attention and makes us pause to read further. In our instant-gratification digital world, where attention spans are shorter than ever, businesses and brands have only seconds to captivate their audience. A strong headline and a clear call to action can be the difference between a post that gets ignored and one that sparks engagement. Crafting compelling messages that turn passive scrollers into active customers is key to social media success.

Your headline is the first thing people see, so it should be short, engaging, and spark curiosity. Asking a question or creating urgency can draw readers in, while a playful or creative approach makes content more relatable. Once you have their attention, a clear call to action – encouraging interaction, driving sales, or promoting in-store visits – will guide them on what to do next. Mastering these techniques will help increase engagement, boost sales, and keep your audience coming back for more. For additional inspiration, check out this article with 50 social media questions for awesome engagement. 

Tip of the Week!

If getting customers out to patronize your business during a snowstorm is tough, use it to your advantage and come up with a clever way to entice them. For example, if you own a coffee shop, make a post that says “The snow is falling, and so are our prices! Warm up with a $3 latte, because frostbite isn’t fun, but coffee always is!” A creative hook can turn scrollers into customers. 

Business Forward: Strategies for Success

The post-holiday winter months are a great time to put your business’ finances in order. Here are a few steps you can take in February to start 2025 on a strong financial footing.

Finalize your 2024 books – If you haven’t already, finish reconciling your Q4 transactions and review your income statement and balance sheet for accuracy. If you replaced equipment in 2024, make sure that you’re recording those for depreciation purposes.

Plan ahead for tax season – Research filing and payment deadlines to avoid penalties or late fees, even if you anticipate needing an extension. Use this time to assess how tax payments or other large expenses will impact your spring cash flow, and adjust your business planning accordingly.

Collect and verify tax documents – Confirm you've received all 1099s and W-2s from vendors and contractors. Cross-check these against your records and follow up on any missing forms or discrepancies early. Collecting receipts and categorizing expenses now will make filings and deductions easier.

Schedule professional tax guidance – Book your accountant or tax advisor now before their schedules fill up. Early consultations often uncover overlooked deductions or credits that could significantly reduce your tax burden.

Additional resources:

• The IRS small business and self-employed tax center contains a variety of tax resources and guidance.
• NH SBDC’s LeAF program offers eligible businesses up to 5 total hours of free, one-on-one consulting with a legal, accounting, or financial professional.
• The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce will host a session on bookkeeping best practices on February 26 as part of their Smart Business Series.

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's question: What types of businesses would you like to see at the waterfront development?

Let us know here: https://polco.us/f5b635.

Dover Download podcast: Your guide

to what's happening this week

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. about Dover's FY2026 budget process and presentation.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or find it here.

Business Event Happenings 

Complete Listings

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.