Nashua Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting: October 20, 2026

The Planning and Economic Development Committee met on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. The primary agenda item was a presentation from Steve Lee, Business Service Representative for New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES), detailing free services for New Hampshire employers. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

Presentation: New Hampshire Employment Security Services

• Steve Lee presented the agency’s free services available to New Hampshire employers who pay unemployment taxes. He emphasized that a major challenge is making employers aware of these resources.
• NHWorks Job Match System: A free database where employers can post jobs and access resumes of all job seekers in the state, described as a free alternative to Indeed.com.
• Work Invest New Hampshire: A grant program reimbursing up to 50% of professional training costs (up to a $76,000 cap). Lee noted that nearly $1 million in available funds was left unclaimed by employers in the previous year.
• Federal Tax Credits: A federal program offering potential tax credits of up to $6,500 for hiring veterans, and credits for hiring individuals receiving TANF, SNAP benefits, or disabled individuals. Alderman Morgan asked for the definition of “Designated community resident,” which Lee agreed to research and provide.
• Economic Labor Market Information: NHES provides proprietary reports on local rent, childcare costs, competitive salaries, and industry demographics to assist businesses considering relocating or expanding in New Hampshire.
• Local Outreach: Lee works with the Nashua, Amherst, Hudson, and Salem Chambers of Commerce. The Nashua office is located at Six Towns West, off Route 101, and the Salem office is at 2029 South Broadway. The website is nh.gov.

Discussion Items

• Alderman Clee expressed appreciation for the presentation, stating she initially questioned its relevance to planning and economic development but ultimately saw its value. She emphasized that small businesses in her ward, which cannot always afford commercial job boards, would greatly benefit from the free NHES services, and she considered it the committee’s role to help spread the word.
• Alderman Clee confirmed with Lee that small businesses qualify for all programs, including Work Invest training grants.
• Alderman Morgan requested clarification on a specific federal tax credit category.
• Aldermen thanked Director Hannemann for recommending the presentation.
• Alderman Clee reported she had toured the library with Director Jennifer McCormick, visiting the basement and other non-public areas to observe its condition in advance of a vote scheduled in a few weeks.
• Alderman Johnson stated he planned to tour the library later in the week to inspect its condition.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes, ordinances, or resolutions were acted upon.
• The committee received detailed information on NHES recruitment, retention, and labor market programs. Aldermen committed to disseminating this information to local businesses.
• The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.