Reviving Berlin

Leadership, grit and renewal

Two years ago, for the first time in more than a decade, the City of Berlin turned a page, beginning a new chapter energized by fresh leadership and renewed hope for a brighter future. In January 2024, Robert Cone, a Republican, was sworn in as mayor following a closely contested election that brought new energy and ideas to City Hall. His victory marked a clear moment of change for residents eager to see Berlin revitalized and thriving once again. Now serving his second term, Cone ran unopposed in what was long considered a Democratic stronghold, a powerful sign of growing confidence in his leadership.

Berlin is a city with a proud history. Once known as “The City That Trees Built,” it rose to prominence as a mill town, with lumber and paper factories that employed thousands and supported a population that peaked at more than 20,000 residents by 1930. Neighborhoods, schools and businesses grew alongside the mills, shaping a community defined by hard work, grit and resilience.

But as the paper industry declined, Berlin felt the impact deeply. Mill closures in the early 2000s brought job losses, population decline and lingering economic uncertainty that weighed heavily on the community.

Many residents knew it was time for new energy, and that’s where Mayor Cone enters the picture.

Cone returned to the area in 2012 to continue his military career with the New Hampshire National Guard and raise his young family. After 21 years of service, he retired in April 2021. A Berlin native, Cone returned home, bringing deep roots in the community and extensive leadership experience, which helped him connect with voters ready for change. His campaign emphasized listening to residents, supporting families, easing the property tax burden, and attracting new businesses and jobs to the region.

Since taking office, Cone has made transparency and community engagement cornerstones of his administration. He encourages resident participation through public forums, city council engagement and quarterly “Coffee with the Council and Mayor” gatherings, creating accessible spaces for dialogue and collaboration. He has also advanced citizen advisory committees, including the Recreation Commission, giving residents a direct role in shaping Berlin’s future.

But Cone’s leadership extends well beyond community engagement. His approach is grounded in a clear strategy for economic renewal, built on practical, real-world momentum that defines many North Country success stories, where progress is measured in small victories that add up over time: one job, one business, one partnership at a time.

His vision centers on attracting new businesses while strengthening existing employers that anchor Berlin’s economy, including the Burgess biomass plant, Capone Iron and Presby Steel. He has also championed investment from North Country Growers, which is preparing to build its second greenhouse in the area, bringing new employment opportunities and signaling renewed confidence in Berlin’s future.

Infrastructure improvement is another key pillar of his approach. Cone understands that modern facilities and reliable systems are essential to attracting entrepreneurs and investors. Increased business activity, in turn, helps reduce pressure on residential property taxes, offering meaningful financial relief to local families.

Perhaps most notably, Cone has been working closely with New Hampshire Business and Economic Affairs and Benoit Lamontagne to spark a manufacturing rebirth and establish a new brand for Berlin. This partnership aims to position the city as a hub for innovative manufacturing and economic growth, building a diversified local economy that benefits residents for generations to come.

There’s a palpable sense of optimism when Mayor Cone talks about Berlin’s future, from new businesses, expanded tourism and community-centered development that honors the city’s past while embracing new possibilities.

After years of stagnation, many residents are beginning to believe again in a stronger, more prosperous Berlin — a steady transition that represents more than political change; it represents hope.

Mayor Cone’s leadership isn’t about change for change’s sake. The focus is on practical action rooted in transparency, collaboration and long-term vision. He is working to ensure Berlin is not merely surviving, but actively revitalizing, creating opportunities for young families, strengthening local industry, and restoring pride in a city known for its strength and resilience.

In a place that once stood tall as a manufacturing powerhouse, Berlin is finding its footing again. Under Cone’s enthusiastic leadership, the city is rediscovering its momentum, built not just on trees but on the creativity, determination and spirit of its people.

Reinventing Berlin’s economic and community engine will not be easy, but Mayor Cone has Granite Staters across the state cheering him on, and I proudly count myself among them.

Berlin’s comeback story is only just beginning.

Brennan Ward has nearly two decades of experience in public affairs and strategic communications, shaped by work in Washington, D.C., with deep roots in New Hampshire’s North Country. He can be reached at BWard@novuspublicaffairs.com.