Special Board of Aldermen 09-28-2020 Page 21
the Chamber, our Board, and our Membership to speak in support of the Performing Arts Center and the
economic impact it will have on the greater Nashua Community. Using methodology from the Americans
for the Arts Economic Impact Studies, by year three, the Performing Arts Center will generate over $3.5
million dollars in annual spending and create jobs. This projected economic activity can be measured and
will create 135 direct and 113 indirect jobs.
It will also increase vibrancy in Nashua’s downtown by decreasing Main Street vacancy rates by at least
20%; attracting 70,000 audience members to downtown by year three of operations and increasing
investment in upgrades by downtown property owners, worth at least $10 million dollars by year five of
operations. In addition it will provide a tool for employee recruitment and retention for regional employers.
Having had a previous role running Stay, Work, Play New Hampshire encouraging 20 and 30-year old’s to
stay in, come to or come back to New Hampshire and working with businesses statewide. And now in my
role with the chamber, one of the things | heard then and continue to hear most often is the need to attract
and retain talent in our State. And especially when it comes to a younger generation of up and coming
leaders, quality of life, culture and community investment all rank very high and all of these are
components of the Performing Arts Center.
So the Chamber and our Board on behalf of our membership stand in support of the Performing Arts
Center. And thank you for your time and thanks to everyone who has contributed to the project thus far.
Chairman Dowd
Thank you. | have someone named James?
James Rafferty Jim Rafferty from the River Casino and Sports Bar.
Chairman Dowd
Hey Jim, how are you doing?
Mr. Rafferty Good Alderman, thank you very much for the time, I’ll be short. | got involved with this project
because my concerns over how the School Street Building would harm our current parking allotment down
on the street, my concerns were shared with the Lafayette Club and the Polish American Club and Harbor
Homes and East Hardware. I’m not speaking for them tonight, but they all shared the concern that taking
those 88 spots out would seriously affect the ability to compete. We met with the Mayor several times, Tim
Cummings, Aldermen — so many of you were very, very helpful. When we came forward with this proposal
to lift the building and change the allocation rather than losing 88 spots that we would have 53 spots
underneath the building, which we believe is a serious step forward and we really appreciate the efforts of
the City and of the Aldermen to help us. The expansion of the TIF Zone into embracing the Art Center was
a natural | think. We are, certainly my business that | can speak for, is in downtown Nashua because we
believe in the Arts Center. We believe in the ability of these things to work together to make it a more
powerful customer attraction. So we are all in favor of the TIF and | wanted to come here and | appreciate
the time to express that. Thank you.
Chairman Dowd
Thank you very much. | do not see anybody else with their hand up, is there any other member of the
public who wishes to speak in favor.
Fred Teeboom | would like to speak.
Chairman Dowd
Mr. Teeboom, glad to see you.
