For Portsmouth Economic Development, it's Back to Basics

The Portsmouth Economic Development Committee has released its annual report and it calls for a broad spectrum of initiatives and efforts to attract new businesses, find new non-tax revenue sources and ultimately offer some relief to property tax owners.

The report's theme is "back to basics," a theme that resonates through the recommendations, such as forming an Economic Council to coordinate and connect town boards and committees, attracting a large hotel, developing the former town dump and more.

The recently-reformed committee's proposed mission statement is as follows: 

"Portsmouth will preserve its history, environment and community for future generations through active stewardship of community character and quality of life while balancing growth, economic development, education and the environment. Portsmouth will strive to be an innovative, technologically progressive and family-friendly community with a superior education system, a well-managed and responsive town government, and a modern and well-maintained infrastructure."

The entire report, including a working draft of the Economic Development section of the Comprehensive Plan and a list of new initiatives is available at the EDC's Web site at http://www.portsmouthriedc.com/index.html.

PDEC Chairman Ray Berberick presented the plan to the Town Council last week, noting that it will be "quite a challenge" to close the gap between economic development and tax relief. To achieve it, the town has its work cut out for itself, he said.

What ideas in the report do you like? What do you not like? Share your thoughts in the comments.