Board of Aldermen — 2/20/18 Page 2
Growing Nashua’s Economy — More Jobs, New Businesses and Downtown Housing
We have made significant progress in growing our economy. We are adding hundreds of new jobs — 750
at BAE, 100 at UPS, 75 at Prudential Overall Supply, 100 at Boston Billiards, 50 at 44 Franklin Street,
and more at Gateway Hills. New companies have been coming to Nashua. Most recently Vybe
Software and D & P Bioinnovations have joined the growing group of innovation economy companies
that have located here.
We have started working with MIT on a project that will help us develop new strategies to grow jobs and
add businesses to our city. A team of graduate students and Economic Development Professor Karl
Seidman are currently studying Nashua’s economy, the Millyard, and entrepreneurship in Nashua.
Southern New Hampshire University has purchased two buildings at the Nashua Airport and is going to
re-establish pilot training there. Makerspace Makelt Labs on Crown Street is booming with new
members and activity.
When | ran for Mayor, | committed to new downtown housing and new energy and vitality in the heart of
Nashua. A reinvigorated downtown including new housing, a restored Nashua riverfront, a performing
arts center, additional stores and restaurants — is good for all Nashuans, because it will expand our tax
base and help pay for infrastructure, for schools, fire and police protection and for other services that
benefit Nashuans in all neighborhoods.
This spring, 200 units of housing will open in the mill-to-housing conversion on Franklin Street, and 150
units on Bridge Street are now renting. Hundreds of new residents will bring millions of dollars of
spendable income to downtown. Clocktower Place is moving forward with plans to convert the Picker
Building to 60 units of new housing and with plans to construct, from the ground up, 60 more units of new
housing in the Millyard.
Through the work of Paul Shea, Ben Ruddock, Cheryl Lindner and others from Great American
Downtown — and the active support of the Downtown Improvement Committee — we have new vitality
and activity downtown, including summer outdoor music festivals, a summer dance party, new holiday
lighting, Main Street pianos, an expanded farmers market and many other activities. We have seen new
and exciting businesses open and succeed in our downtown - including JajaBelle’s, Camaraderie, the
Flight Center, Aerial Moon Yoga, and Fuego to name a few. The Tailspinner Brewing Company will soon
be opening on Factory Street and Gauchos Brazilian Steakhouse is opening on Elm Street. WineNot
has expanded and moved to a larger location on Main Street.
Two years ago, we began developing a riverfront master plan for the downtown segment of the Nashua
River. The plan, which is now complete, includes continuous riverside walkways connected to Mine Falls
Park, enhanced access to the waterfront, and new green spaces and landscaping. We are beginning to
make long-term investments so that our downtown waterfront can be dramatically improved in its look
and feel and so the potential of this gem can be realized.
The plans for a performing arts center on Main Street are also moving ahead. This past November, we
asked the voters whether we should undertake this project, and their answer was “yes.” Once the
performing arts center is up and running, we will bring tens of thousands of people and millions of dollars
to Main Street and downtown.
