Economic Development Commission

City of Rochester, New Hampshire Office of Economic & Community Development 33 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867 (603) 335-7522, www.rochesteredc.com Rochester Economic Development Commission Minutes – April 28, 2026 City Hall Annex 33 Wake�ield Street Rochester, NH 03867 Members Present: Ron Poulin, Kristen Bournival, Tanya Hervey, Matt Mayberry, Ray Wayman, & Chris Malloy Members Absent: Jonathan Shapleigh, Chris Harrelson, & Tom Bowden Others Present: Mike Scala, Lee Nentwig, Mayor Chuck Grassie, & Counselor Susan Rice, City of Rochester; Tom Kaczynski, State Representative; & Glenn Bailey A. B and C: Vice Chair, Ron Poulin, called the meeting to order at 4:01pm. Meeting Minutes A. Called the meeting to order and noted absent members. B. Matt M. approved the minutes, and Tanya seconded the motion. All approved. C. Public Input: • None D. BR&E Survey Closeout & Next Survey: • Lee provided an update – 22 out of 99 responses received (online survey/in person). • Most want to be involved in the community and have seen stable or increased revenue. • Ron inquired about parking and Lee noted that there was no mention on metered/paid parking as a hinderance – more in favor of the turnover of parking for increase in business. • Mayor Grassie discussed complaints about working with building inspectors, etc. and Mike responded regarding the staf�ing issues that have been recti�ied but that there is room for improvement and ef�iciency, and he expects that to be much better with full staf�ing. • Additional discussion on food trucks, registration process, and delays that Mayor Grassie will follow up on.  E. Finance Committee Updates: • The money related to the church sale is not put being put back into our fund (yet) – they are holding it to the side for large projects ($400k) as we still have approximately $900k to use that was received from other grants, etc. F. REDC Projects Moving Forward: • Mike asked us to come up with ideas that would be advantageous for us to pursue or assist (i.e. Bank of America building, etc.). • Projects where we can use the BFA. • Projects that promote commercial and residential projects and the city. G. Project Updates: • Decision was made on the Care Pharmacy lot and will be announced soon. • Norm Vetter is working on plans for 103 but it will likely be commercial and residential with parking underneath. • Hotel at the Casino has all their permits and they want it up and running by next summer (90 rooms). • Bad Brgr opened up and has been very successful. • 1875 House is moving along, and they are putting up the sheetrock now (hotel). • Court House is coming along nicely and should be ready by the fall. H. Other: • Mike will be going to council next Tuesday, May 5th, to request what was discussed in the nonpublic that we had for Catholic Charities. In order to do this, the minutes need to be unsealed. Chris M. approved the motion to unseal the minutes, Ray seconded and all were in favor. • Ray discussed the chances or possibility of having a private/public partnership to rebuild the ice rink and to generate revenue by advertising, public space rentals, etc. Mayor Grassie provided guidance on who to talk to regarding this project. Ray made a motion to adjourn at 5:13pm, Matt M. seconded. All in favor. Next meeting is tentatively set for May 26, 2026 @ 4pm. Respectfully Submitted, Kristen Bournival