Economic Vitality

Strategic Theme

Foster economic growth and business development.

5
Total
Objectives
18
Total
Action Items
1
Completed
Action Items
25
Total
KPIs
4
Completed
KPIs

Vision Statement

The City is the economic hub of the Upper Valley. Most of the jobs in the region are located here in the City. The City is the host of a diversified and resilient economy. Traditionally the impacts of worldwide and national economic downturns impact the region to a lesser extent. The predominance of the medical sector, with Dartmouth Health being the largest employer in the region and the largest employer in the State, results in considerable supplemental and complimentary economic activity. The area has over 120 high-tech businesses, many of which are medtech and biotech companies. Many of these companies have a direct relationship or lineage from Dartmouth College and Dartmouth Health.


The region has the highest average salaries in the State. The Upper Valley economy is vibrant and resilient when it has the following:


  • A trained workforce adequate to meet the needs of all employers;
  • An innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial culture that drives and develops new ideas;
  • A diversified commercial/industrial sector that includes small, medium, and large businesses that pay a living wage;
  • High quality housing to meet the needs of the workforce needed for the economy;
  • High quality childcare and early childcare development to allow parents to work in the economy;
  • High quality public education and postsecondary education to develop and maintain a skilled workforce; and
  • Vibrant and diversified retail, food, and general service sectors that meet the supporting needs of the Upper Valley.


The City’s Master Plan addresses the larger vision statement relative to Economic Development located in Chapter 6.

Responsible Groups

City Departments

City Manager Finance Library Planning and Development Police

Boards and Committees

Conservation Commission Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission Downtown TIF Economic Development Commission Heritage Commission Planning Board West Lebanon Revitalization Commission Zoning Board of Adjustment

Community Partners

Boys and Girls Club UV Business Alliance UV EECA Vital Communities

Strategic Objectives

Primary objectives under this strategic theme

8.1 Facilitate a Vibrant, Sustainable and Resilient Economy that provides a high quality of life.
8.1.1 Work with City Council, Boards and Commissions to develop a regulatory environment that reflects community's priorities, while allowing efficient consideration and permitting of projects.
Develop a KPI which measures permitting time, % complete applications, and seeks to inform applicants of best practices, which lead to successful project permitting and implementation.
8.1.2 Work with property owners and developers to facilitate projects that enhance the City's Master Plan and Strategic Objectives.
Develop working relationships with property owners/developers to assist them in moving their projects forward. Inform property owners of the tax incentive measures and other programs that are available.
8.1.3 Update the Economic Development Chapter of the Master Plan
EDC works to develop their update process with guidance of City Staff
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8.2 Facilitate and develop partnerships to increase Early Childhood Education capacity and reduce cost.
8.2.1 Provide key leadership role in the UV/State Childcare Initiatives (CM)
Continue to serve on the Vital Communities Steering Committee regarding the Childcare initiative which began in 2021–2026.
8.2.2 Continue the development of the Lebanon Early Childhood Education Facility to provide services to the region. Focus on low/mod income parents, non-traditional hours, competitive wages and benefits for childcare workers, teaching facility for staff, focus on infant care with the Boys and Girls Club of Central NH.
Develop CIP project for 2024 with the goal of construction of a new facility by the end of 2026. The goal of 200 childcare slots.
8.2.3 Support in-home childcare providers in the Grafton/Sullivan County Region with EECA by serving as the fiscal agent for the provider support network grant.
The City serves as the fiscal agent in 2023–2025.
8.2.4 Provide fingerprinting services to childcare care provider applicants for the region to expedite the approval process for new childcare workers.
Reduce or eliminate wait times for childcare provider applicants to be fingerprinted. Provider applicants are approved more quickly for work in the profession on a regional/UV basis.
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8.3 Work cooperatively with UVBA, the Corporate Council and others to enhance the business climate in the region.
8.3.1 Work with Grafton County Regional Development to work on ADU financing opportunities
Available lending programs for those wishing to build an ADU
8.3.2 Work collaboratively with UVBA, the Corporate Council and others to enhance the business climate.
Provide microgrants to UVBA to market the region.
8.3.3 Program to assist minority, LGBTQ+ and woman businesses (DEI)
DEI has a program operational by the end of 2024.
8.3.4 Work with Boards and Commissions on a regulation based, evidence supported, legally defensible decision process that generates regulatory certainty for all applicants.
Minimize adverse legal appeals of any Board or Commission decision.
8.3.5 Provide small business resources at the Libraries by having programming, databases, and other resources available to people who own or are developing new businesses
Increase collection materials and programming that support small businesses in Lebanon
Collaborate with organizations such as the SBA, non profits, and local small business to assess and provide supportive materials and programming
8.3.6 Work collaboratively with UVBA and others to identify gaps in community and regional needs for potential recruitment and retention efforts.
Partner with UVBA to execute a regional Gap Analysis
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8.4 Coordinate regionally to enhance tourism opportunities in the Upper Valley
8.4.1 Partner with UVBA to promote tourism in the UV
Provide microgrants to UVBA to promote tourism in the UV.
8.4.2 Enhance tourism relative to the City’s historic sites, online map, photos, videos, and on site signage
HC develops maps, photos, videos and site signage on the City’s website and partners with UVBA to enhance public awareness of the City’s history to attract tourism.
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8.5 Implement opportunities for redevelopment in the four core business districts of the City.
8.5.1 Implement West Lebanon Charrette Studies (PLN)
Acquisition, demolition and redevelopment of the properties located at 14, 28 and 30 Main St.
Support Lebanon-Hanover partnership for multimodal connectivity in Route 10 corridor, e.g., WAHG path initiative.
Acquisition and development of the Westboro Yard recreational area
West Lebanon Main St. Improvements and roundabout completed NLT 2026
8.5.2 Downtown Redevelopment – 20 Spencer; Village Mkt, Kleen, Parking Lots (PLN)
Redevelopment of 20 Spencer St. for workforce housing
Redevelopment of the parking lots behind City Hall, maintaining the existing parking capacity, developing workforce housing and green space.
Partner with developer to develop the Village Market property.
Partner with developer to develop the mill property at the former Kleen Laundry site.
8.5.3 Update Economic Development, Lebanon CBD, and West Leb CBD Chapters of the Master Plan
Boards and Commissions partner to make necessary updates to individual chapters relating to their goals.
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