Hooksett Economic Development Committee Meeting - October 21, 2026

The Hooksett Economic Development Committee convened on October 21, 2026, to plan its second TIF informational night, review and update the TIF district presentation, discuss business outreach for the Exit 10 area, receive updates on regional traffic projects, and hear reports on local development activities including the Brady Sullivan project and the Vicor chip manufacturing facility.

Consent Calendar

• The committee unanimously voted to approve the meeting minutes from September 16, 2026.

Discussion Items

• TIF Informational Night: The committee finalized details for the second TIF informational night, scheduled for Monday, November 9th, at 5:30 PM at the Hooksett Library. Members reported strong public engagement on social media, representing a mix of support and skepticism, and the event is intended to provide comprehensive information to address questions.
• TIF Presentation Update: The committee conducted a detailed slide-by-slide review of an updated PowerPoint presentation for the informational night.
  • Goals and History: Member Anthony praised the previous Exit 10/11 TIF as highly successful, calling it "one of the best TIF districts you're ever going to see." He noted a 15-year bond was paid off in 10 or 11 years, with the infrastructure built and the district dissolved as planned.
  • Statistical Impact: The committee discussed emphasizing specific figures. The tax base in the original district went from approximately $2.9 million to $57 million, an increase of roughly $54 million. A confusing reference equating this to a tax dollar figure was removed from the slide to keep the message clear. Members agreed to highlight the frozen base value (approximately $600,000 annually) that continues to go to the town general fund to demonstrate that the TIF captures only the new increment.
  • Maps and Infrastructure: The committee requested an updated map to reflect completed infrastructure (such as the Martins Ferry pump station currently under construction) rather than showing everything as proposed. They decided to crop the map to focus on the West Side for better projection clarity and to add photographs of the new pump station.
  • Public-Private Partnership Model: The Granite Woods / Botash development at Exit 11 was discussed as a successful model where the developer financed the infrastructure ($11 million) and is reimbursed via TIF revenue, acting as the "bank" for the project. The committee agreed this model could be a strong template for Exit 10 outreach.
• Business Outreach for Exit 10: A member proposed convening a formal group meeting (via Teams/Zoom) with major landowners at Exit 10, including Bass Pro, Walmart, and Market Basket. The goal is to gauge their appetite for a public-private partnership to fund remaining TIF infrastructure rather than relying solely on a municipal bond. Cost apportionments based on acreage (prepared by Ken Canadi) have already been shared individually with these businesses. The committee agreed to proceed with scheduling this collaborative meeting including Dana, Andre, and Ken.
• Traffic and Transportation Update: Members reported on a follow-up meeting with Executive Councilor John Stevens.
  • Vicor Development: The chip manufacturer Vicor (expected to have 650-800 employees across three shifts) at Exit 11 will trigger an automatic state-mandated traffic study. The committee discussed how this development could influence or accelerate scheduled improvements at the Exit 11 toll plaza intersection, Hackett Hill Road, and Main Street.
  • Regional Issues: Councilor Stevens discussed improvements planned for the I-93/89 interchange in Concord (Exit 12), which may trickle down to impact Hooksett traffic. The committee also discussed the potential relocation of the toll booth and the long-term aspiration for a new exit between 11 and 12. Members were encouraged to attend Central New Hampshire Planning Commission meetings to advocate for regional traffic solutions.
• Town Council Approval of River Crossing: The committee celebrated the Town Council's recent vote to approve $1 million for the pipeline under the Merrimack River. Members praised the presentations by Andre, Mike Summers, and Ken Canadi, calling the approval a "huge win" and a "catalyzing event" for the TIF project.
  • Investment Breakdown: The committee clarified that of the approximately $2.5 million spent so far on engineering and private partner funding, the Sewer Commission is absorbing the costs for the Martins Ferry and double barrel force main sections, leaving the double barrel force main and Kimball pump station as the remaining items for the TIF bond.
• Development Activity Update:
  • Brady Sullivan Project: The project is moving forward. The Planning Board granted a waiver allowing certificates of occupancy for 40 of the residential units before the required 8,000 square foot commercial "vanilla box" is fully built. Concrete work is currently underway at the site.
  • Thompson Avenue Sewerline: Resident concerns regarding the quality of construction and restoration work on the Thompson Avenue sewer upgrade were discussed. The committee noted the project is under the jurisdiction of the Sewer Commission and contractor Park Construction, but that the town administrator is actively addressing the complaints.
  • Skyline Cafe: A new location for Skyline Cafe, which currently operates in Atkinson, is opening in Hooksett.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: The committee approved the minutes from the September 16, 2026 meeting.
• TIF Presentation Finalized: The PowerPoint for the November 9th informational night was reviewed and approved with specific updates requested, including updated infrastructure maps, statistical inserts (baseline vs. current valuation), and new photos.
• Business Meeting Confirmed: The committee formalized its plan to schedule a collaborative meeting with anchor tenants at Exit 10 (Bass Pro, Walmart, Market Basket) to discuss private financing of infrastructure based on the Granite Woods model.
• Traffic Advocacy Strategy: The committee will explore attending Central NH Planning Commission meetings and continue coordinating with Executive Councilor Stevens to link the Vicor project's traffic mitigation to known infrastructure needs at Exit 11.
• Project Milestone Acknowledged: Committee members recognized the Town Council's authorization of $1 million for the Merrimack River crossing, marking a significant step forward for the TIF district's infrastructure master plan.