Developer agrees to keep some units on New Salem Street at affordable rates
It’s a small but significant win for city leaders, who have long grappled with a systemic problem relating to housing affordability and availability.
Author: Gabriel Perry-The Laconia Daily Sun
As property values go up in Laconia, tax rates trend down
Laconia City Manager Kirk Beattie presented a preliminary budget compliant with the tax cap, indicating a reduced tax rate, to the city council on Monday, April 28.
Citizen committee to tour Old North Main property which could be developed
Members of the committee, comprising city leaders and residents, heard a presentation April 22 from Lakes Region Community Developers, the only one of four organizations who submitted letters of interest for the now-vacant property
Lakes Region Community Developers plan includes affordable, market-rate housing on Old North Main
A committee tasked with reviewing concepts for housing development on Old North Main Street heard from Lakes Region Community Developers discussed the conceptual plan for the development of a 10-acre parcel
Plan for Pemaco renovations, including apartments, approved by council
Sonya Misiaszek, principal of Misiaszek Turpin Architects, and her husband Chad Monterose plan to renovate the second and third floors of the Pemaco building, which have sat unused for years.
Data shows housing shortage has other negative economic effects
Lack of homes means fewer workers, dollars spent in community
4 proposals for Old North Main property detail mostly market-rate housing
Four proposals reviewed by a group of citizens and city leaders Tuesday evening were all to build neighborhoods with market-rate and near-market-rate housing on a 10.4-acre plot of land owned by the city on Old North Main Street
Laconia city council to review electric aggregation plan
On Jan. 9, members of Laconia’s electrical aggregation committee unanimously approved the final draft of the plan, and if adopted by the city council after a Feb. 10 meeting, the plan would be sent to the Public Utilities Commission for their review.
Developers planning 76 units in the Weirs
Members of the planning board heard a presentation from a developer about plans to build an upscale community on White Oaks Road and another neighborhood near Weirs Beach
Study: Belknap County lacks affordable, workforce housing
Belknap County has a severe lack of availability of affordable rental units, according to a report published earlier this year by New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority
Housing Champion designation could mean access to grant funds for city
A burgeoning state program to incentivize progressive zoning could make a significant impact on the development of workforce housing in the state
Class-action settlement prompts changes to real estate compensation
Changes to the commission structure for agents now in place, but some agents say the changes may work to decrease transparency in specific circumstances
Council seeking proposals for Old North Main property in Laconia
Laconia city councilors expressed a sense of urgency and careful optimism regarding the prospect of matching with a developer to design and construct permanent, market-rate and below-market-rate workforce housing on a city-owned parcel located in the northern part of the city.
While mandated by law, workforce housing lacks enforcement, incentives
New Hampshire’s workforce housing law, passed in 2008 and enacted on Jan. 1, 2010, states municipalities must provide reasonable and realistic opportunities for the development of workforce housing
Council Finance Committee considers how Supreme Court ruling affects housing locally
City councilors discussed the increasing burden to the budget of the welfare department as the affordable housing crisis continues and deepens the needs of community members without a place to live
Workforce housing proposal before Meredith ZBA scrapped
An application submitted by East Coast Flightcraft for a zoning exception for workforce housing has been rescinded, effectively ending the bid for the development
City council approves pay increases for paraprofessionals
The Laconia city council unanimously approved a three-year contract that includes salary increases, longevity bonuses and educational stipends for paraprofessionals in the Laconia School District at their regular meeting May 13.
Meredith zoning board delays decision on workforce housing
D&D Realty LLC asked ZBA to permit construction of a group quarters-style residence with maximum of 45 beds at 189 Waukewan Street in Meredith
City votes to move forward with antique center purchase, splitting building with restaurateur
City council approved purchase of 601 Main St., current site of the Laconia Antique Center, in a 4-2 vote
City council considering property purchase for Colonial expansion
Building at 601 Main St. downtown, next to the Colonial Theatre, up for potential expansion in partnership with restaurateur
Real estate agents tracking new fraud scheme in Lakes Region
A fraudulent scheme is making waves through the Lakes Region real estate market in recent weeks with local agents receiving shady inquiries from scammers intent on stealing thousands of dollars from unsuspecting buyers.
More news from NHBR:
NH economist lowers forecast for 2026
A key New Hampshire economist has trimmed down to 2.2% his forecast for the growth in the state's economy this for 2026, citing lackluster consumer confidence and the uncertainty of the U.S. war against Iran.
Federal data: Outdoor recreation generates $4.2B for NH economy
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) earlier this month released its latest Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account data, reaffirming outdoor recreation as a major driver of New Hampshire’s economy and a significant contributor nationwide.
Executive Council pauses $773M federal rural health spending
The NH Executive Council paused the approval of $773 million in federal spending contracts for the “GO NORTH” rural health program Wednesday, March 4, putting the brakes on a major initiative of Gov. Kelly Ayotte after councilors said the contracts were rushed and needed more scrutiny.
Health issues are starting earlier in the workforce
Employer health benefits costs are rising faster than inflation and wage growth, putting continued pressure on employer-sponsored plans. According to KFF’s 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey, per-employee benefit costs increased 6% in 2025, with another 6.5% increase projected for 2026.
Christopher Ellms Jr. confirmed to chair PUC
Christopher Ellms Jr. received a 4-1 vote from the executive council on Wednesday, March 4, to become the next chair of the state’s Public Utilities Commission.
MilliporeSigma’s Prescott Road project gets green light for grading in wetland buffer
The Jaffrey Zoning Board approved a request on March 3 allowing grading and earthwork within wetland setbacks on Prescott Road as part of MilliporeSigma’s plan to improve wastewater treatment capacity at its facility.
NH Media Teachers and Media Power Youth partner to expand state film festival
New Hampshire Media Teachers and Media Power Youth (MPY) have announced a strategic partnership for the 2026 NH High School Short Film Festival (NHHSSFF). This collaboration introduces a new category designed to celebrate the students, educators and community members who help New Hampshire’s schools and neighborhoods thrive.
Uneven trends in income and poverty across New Hampshire
New U.S. Census Bureau data offer a detailed look at how New Hampshire residents have fared during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. This data, covering the five years of 2020-24, provides insight into long-term trends in income and poverty across different regions and demographic groups.
Laconia company targets data centers for growth
Orion Entrance Control launches new security screening system
