Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Page updated 10/24/23
An aerial photo looking north over Elm Street in Downtown Manchester
An aerial photo looking north over Elm Street in Downtown Manchester
As our communities address growth and development impacts on the provision of local services, there is a need for economic development both within and outside individual communities' borders. The SNHPC offers a variety of local and regional economic development planning services to advocate for housing choice and support development that will maintain sustainable communities. These services include:
  • Fiscal impact analysis and cost of community services studies 
  • The development of impact fee ordinances, capital improvement programs, economic development plans and tourism studies
  • In the past SNHPC has provided support to the Community Development Finance Authority in generating regional economic data and housing reports

Central/Southern NH Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy  

CEDS Map 


The Central/Southern New Hampshire Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) represents a unique partnership between the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) and the SNHPC in developing and implementing a CEDS process for the Central/Southern Region of New Hampshire.  This is the first time two regional planning commissions in New Hampshire have collaboratively developed and implemented a CEDS plan for one region.

The CEDS project area encompasses 25 municipalities and two counties. Of the 25 municipalities, 21 are located in Merrimack County and 4 are located in Hillsborough County. Five of these communities (Bedford, Goffstown, Hooksett, New Boston, and Weare) are part of the SNHPC and the rest are in CNHRPC. In total, the region is roughly 950 square miles in size and has a population of 181,650 (U.S. Census, 2010).