Economic Development
Milton ... We are open for business
Welcome to the Economic Development section of the Milton NH website, developed by the Milton Economic Development Committee (MEDC) with the support of the Milton Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator. We define economic development in a broad sense … “a series of planned activities designed to increase the number of jobs and investment in the community.” The Town of Milton is beginning the process of economic development. The Town’s basic goal is to provide tools and assistance that encourage existing businesses to expand and to attract new commercial and industrial projects that are compatible with Milton and its beautiful natural environment. Our primary focus is to:
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Assist existing businesses with potential expansion plans;
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Assist existing businesses in working with the Town;
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Provide insight and assistance to businesses in working with local boards and departments during the development review, approval and permitting processes;
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Provide relocation and site selection information and assistance;
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Encourage a positive regulatory environment towards business; and
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Encourage the creation and maintenance of a strong economic development infrastructure.
Milton Gears up for its Strategic Economic Development Plan
Through a small grant from the Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH), the Town of Milton will start work on its Strategic Economic Development Plan with consultant assistance. Strategic Planning is a management tool that helps an organization or community focus its energy to undertake specific actions that guide the organization in achieving specific short and long-term goals. The Strategic Economic Development Plan determines where the Town fits with the current “environment”, establishes goals and a vision and proposes actions to achieve the vision. The effort involves three components:
Situational Analysis, Milton’s Strengths and Limitations Today: This activity includes a review of the existing environment for increased economic activity. As part of the Situation Analysis, the community carefully considers various driving forces such as income growth, changing demographics, education, type of existing industries, natural resource limitations and opportunities, etc. A summary review of the past economic development work completed in 2007 by the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) will be completed.
This process explores the various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (an acronym for this activity is SWOT) regarding the community.
• Strengths: characteristics of Milton that give it an advantage over others in the region. For example, good transportation access, skilled labor, attractive natural resources and open space areas, e.g., Milton’s Three Ponds.
• Weaknesses: (or Limitations): characteristics that place the community at a disadvantage relative to others. For example, limited utility capacity or limited sites with sewer and water;
• Opportunities: external activities that may make Milton more attractive. For example, improvements to and widening of the Spaulding Turnpike, development potential around Exists 17 and 18 off the Turnpike.
• Threats: external elements in the environment that could raise issues for the community. For example, other nearby communities developing a business park, changes to state regulations.
Goal Setting --- Milton’s Economic Future: The goal setting and visioning process is critical to any strategic plan. Whether the plan is for an organization, the community or a smaller group, it is critical to determine the direction in which the community wishes to proceed. Goals should be designed and worded as much as possible to be specific, measurable and realistic. Part of the goal setting process usually involves the preparation of a Vision Statement— a description of what the community desires and what Strategic Plan hopes to accomplish—“A community with a thriving economy.” It may also include a set of guiding principles or primary goals and priorities to implement the Vision.
Action Plan --- Getting the Job Completed: Action planning involves establishing a set of actions or tactics to implement the plan and achieve the Plan goals. Each goal or objective is associated with an action or set of actions, which is one of the methods needed to reach a goal. Action planning also includes specifying responsibilities and timelines with each objective, or who needs to do what and by when
What is the benefit? In the end, the Strategic Economic Development Plan provides the community with a realistic guide or “road map” of how it can advance its economic development program.
In the late winter or early spring, the Town will conduct an open visioning session designed to involve the community in this process. We will keep the community informed via the Town website.
Finally, the Town wishes to thank PSNH for its grant assistance.
The following information is helpful.
http://www.visitnh.gov/
http://www.dred.state.nh.us/
http://strafford.org/towns/towncensus/milton2009.pdf
NH Department of Resources and Economic Development --- http://www.nheconomy.com/
Wentworth Economic Development Commission --- www.wedco-nh.org
http://www.factfinder.census.gov
http://www.statsamerica.org/
http://nneindicators.unh.edu/
http://www.strafford.org/
http://www.farmmuseum.org/
http://www.nhmade.com/
Planning and Development Review Process in Milton
Available Sites and Buildings in Milton
LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE:
Index Packaging, Inc. Bruce Lander, President
Mr. and Mrs. William Lander founded Index Packaging in 1968 in New York State with the invention of the TIP (N) TELL shipping indicator. About 10 years later, the company purchased the patent rights to the DROP (N) TELL shipping indicator. These are devices that indicate the tipping and dropping of sensitive packages. In 1981, Index Packaging moved its operations to its current location in Milton, NH where the custom wood, foam, and corrugated operations grew into what they are today. With the purchase of Timber Tech Corp in 2002, the company added a new and recycled pallet operation, which relocated to the Milton, NH facility. Index Packaging offers the following products and services: foam packaging, wood crating, corrugated, recycled and new pallets, Tip N’ Tell and Drop N’ Tell, warehousing and supplies, design support and trucking.
The company is very environmentally sensitive as it strives to recycle and reuse all company waste products. For example, the company turns waste wood material into wood chips and transports the material to the wood to the energy facility in Tamworth, NH. Index Packaging has increased employment from 110 persons in 2005 to about 165 in 2011 and is contemplating further expansions. About 75% of the company’s business is within a 100 mile radius and the balance being split between U.S. and global business. Total annual sales are approximately $20,000,000.
Bruce Lander, son of the company founders and current President, is positive about future business opportunities in Milton and believes the business climate in the Town has improved over the years, thanks in part to the establishment of the Milton Business and Industry Alliance. At present, Bruce serves as the President of the Alliance. Check out the Index website at http://www.indexpackaging.com/
Eastern Boats, Bob Bourdeau Owner and President
If you are in the market for a traditional looking “Downeast” economical boat from 18 feet to 35 feet with a 21st century construction and technology and a boat built to last, consider Eastern and Seaway boats based at the Milton Industrial Park, White Mountain Highway, Milton, NH. Bob Bordeau President and owner acquired Eastern Boats in 1993 and Seaway in 2008. Bob is a “hands on” owner who is involved in all aspects of the business. Using a strong dealer network, Eastern Boats sell their products throughout the U.S. All boats are attractive, rugged and fuel-efficient as they are made with all composite materials. The 30,000 square ft facility in Milton has three sections: rigging shop, glass shop and assembly.
The custom built boats have an attractive Maine look and are used for both pleasure and commercial use such as for hauling lobster traps, fire and rescue purposes and as a launch. Customers include the U.S. Coast Guard, NH Fish and Game, Maine Fish and Game, many yacht clubs, commercial and pleasure boaters. At the beginning of the recession in 2008, Eastern Boats employed 40 persons and sold 117 boats. In 2009, the company experienced a decline in sales. However, in 2011, the company expects to sell 108 boats and employs 30 persons. In 2008, total sales were $5.5 M and in 2011 sales are projected to be around $5.0 M.
Bob Bordeau, a Milton resident, is a community oriented person having served on several local boards and now currently a member of the Milton Planning Board. He is active in the Milton Business and Industry Association. He has given back to the community in many ways having donated boats to the Town’s Police Department and Fire Department.
For more information on the company, check out their very interesting website: http://www.easternboats.com/.
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