(Opinion) A model for community-driven economic development

The best development work happens not in boardrooms, but in communities

GEORGE BALD

BY GEORGE BALD

As someone who has spent much of my career working to strengthen New Hampshire’s economic foundation, I’ve long believed that the best development work happens not in boardrooms, but in communities — one project, one partnership, one vision at a time.

That philosophy has guided the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for 40 years, and it’s why their anniversary is so much more than a milestone; it’s a case study in what sustained, place-based investment can achieve in New Hampshire.

Since 1985, MEDC has quietly but persistently reshaped the Monadnock Region. They’ve done so not with fanfare but through collaboration — leveraging state, federal and private resources to bring ideas to life. Their record speaks for itself: more than 3,000 jobs created, over 100,000 square feet of real estate revitalized, and transformative projects ranging from industrial park development to child care expansion to affordable housing.

I’ve watched MEDC’s work unfold over the years, and I can say with confidence that their impact extends far beyond bricks and mortar.

Whether redeveloping brownfields sites statewide, financing small businesses, or helping local leaders navigate the complexities of modern development finance, MEDC is a trusted partner in the state’s shared effort to grow a diverse and resilient economy.

The recent Governor’s Proclamation honoring MEDC’s 40th anniversary was well deserved. It underscores what so many of us already know: that economic development succeeds when it’s rooted in community and driven by people who care deeply about their region’s future. Tapping into the expertise and resources of any of New Hampshire’s nine regional development corporations is essential to that success.

As New Hampshire and its next BEA commissioner look ahead to solve its challenges in housing, child care, business recruitment and workforce retention, organizations like MEDC remind us that progress doesn’t happen by accident. It takes vision, perseverance and a willingness to roll up one’s sleeves and get to work.

To everyone who has been part of MEDC’s story — board members, project partners, lenders and community champions — thank you for proving that economic development, done right, is about more than numbers. It’s about people, purpose and the enduring power of partnership.

I look forward to seeing what they accomplish over the next 40 years.

George Bald has served in many roles in local and state government, including commissioner of the state Department of Resources and Economic Development, mayor of the city of Somersworth and executive director of the Pease Development Authority.