Under the Sun Client: Kasta Travel Year: 2023 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Previous Next

Wild Spirit Client: Matthew Wagner Year: 2023 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Previous Next

The vision and work of the Hopkinton Economic Development Committee. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Scroll Down Agendas & Minutes Economic Development Committee Meetings The Economic Development Committee meets at least monthly (or as needed). M eetings & Events Calendar See our: posted meeting schedule , agendas & minutes . Who is the EDC? Meet Your EDC We are a volunteer resident committee with one part-time staff person. Louise Carr Andrea Folsom James Fredyma Amanda Gilman Ian Hart (Chair) Alexander Pooler Steven Whitley (for the Select Board) Get in touch! Anna Wells , Economic Development Director Interested in joining our committee? Email us or fill out this application . What do we do? Learn More View the EDC's Vision, Strategic Objectives, PrioritIes, & Current Projects And check out our list of Reading + Resources related to Economic Development. The mission of the Town of Hopkinton’s Economic Development Committee is to enhance the many attributes that the Town of Hopkinton has to offer. We believe that community vibrancy and livability enhance quality of life for residents and visitors AND help grow businesses. Livability is both a driver and an outcome of business success + vitality; it’s a feedback loop. Upcoming Events August 2025 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 More about the Committee: At the local level, the Economic Development Committee (EDC) is working to u nderstand and support community and economic growth in our small town. The past few years have brought significant upheaval in economic, labor, and real estate markets in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and other national and global factors. The EDC therefor e stays flexible and adaptable to take advantage of funding opportunities as they arise, while at the same time maintaining the long view toward a cohesive, comprehensive strategy for growth and development. About the Economic Development Director: The Economic Development Director position was established in March of 2021 and the role was initially filled by a consultant. Anna Wells began in this role in February of 2022. Anna lives on a small farm Hopkinton with her husband and two kids. Her husband was born and raised in Hopkinton and his parents still live here more than 50 years later. They explored elsewhere in New England for a couple decades, then moved back to Hopkinton to raise their children in 2017. She was appointed to the Economic Development Committee in 2018, then was elected to the Select Board in 2019. She stepped down just before her term ended in 2022 to accept this position as Economic Development Director.

Traffic calming makes streets safer for people who walk, bike, roll, and drive by reducing the speed at which cars travel. This project will display ways in which we can build safer streets for all. Traffic calming also builds on the idea that safer streets are more productive streets. Two Villages, One Heart. Opportunity Grows Here. There's so much HAPPENING in HOPKINTON + CONTOOCOOK Hopkinton Village Traffic Calming Demonstration Project As of 8:30am Thursday, November 3, the Traffic Calming Demonstration was dismantled. Thank you to everyone who took the survey and shared your feedback in other ways! Why did it get removed? The materials borrowed from the Regional Planning Commission had to be returned. And now that it's November, it could snow any day now! (Only kind of kidding.) So to prevent cones and barricades getting stuck in snow piles until April, those were removed as well. What does this mean for the intersection? All t he groups involved agree that much valuable knowledge was gained from this demonstration. Many of the aspects of the demonstration were highly successful based on the goals set for the project (which were to: slow speeds of vehicles traveling through the intersection; make the area conducive to more walking and cycling , in part to encourage increased retail activity around this location; make the area feel safer for all road users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, et al.); and create the potential for an overall reduction in pavement in the area .) While we are still determining exactly the next steps and still gathering survey feedback, the probable next step is a presentation to the Select Board in the coming weeks with a recommendation. What were the survey results? Thank you to all 320 people who shared their feedback! Nearly 75% of respondents felt safer or neutral with the new traffic pattern, and about 61% of respondents had an overall generally favorable or neutral opinion of the traffic calming measures implemented. Before you go! Check out these GORGEOUS drone shots from the morning of Thursday, November 3, just before it was dismantled. THANK YOU GREG SAGRIS! Project Details what is traffic calming? what is a demonstration project? who do I contact with questions? What is traffic calming? Traffic calming is any physical change in a street that makes drivers slow down. Traffic calming makes streets safer for people who walk, bike, roll, and drive. This project will display ways we can make the street safer for all. Traffic calming also builds on the Economic Development principle that safer streets are more productive streets. What is a demonstration project? An easy-to-install, short-term traffic calming installment using materials such as traffic tape, chalk paint, traffic cones, and other materials that can easily be removed. The event helps to inform and educate road users and the Town for future planning. If this demonstration is successful, it could lead to lasting change in this location, as well as future demonstrations in other areas! Who do I contact with questions? Please get in touch with Anna Wells, Economic Development Director: awells@hopkinton-nh.gov The Basics: Who decided to do this demonstration project? This is a collaboration between the Town of Hopkinton, the Hopkinton Village Precinct, the Central NH Regional Planning Commission, and the State of NH Department of Transportation. From the Town of Hopkinton, assistance was provided in planning and setup by Hopkinton’s Economic Development Committee, Police Department, and Department of Public Works. Why are you trying out a new traffic pattern in this location? This intersection has been identified as an area of concern by residents for many years in planning documents that have all been approved at Public Hearings. This area has been called out for decades as needing to be redesigned due to driver speeds, excess pavement, and the alignment of the roads coming together. It is highlighted in the Hopkinton Village Precinct Master Plan and Hopkinton’s Master Plan (all versions). In the Hopkinton Village Precinct Master Plan, see the Transportation Inventory (page 12-13) and Goals and objectives, Section III - Transportation (page 28). In the Town of Hopkinton Master Plan of 2002/2012, see Chapter VI, Transportation (begins on page 111, specifically addresses Hopkinton Village on page 133). And in the Town of Hopkinton Master Plan of 2022, see Section 4, Transportation (Motor Vehicle Crashes are addressed on page 4.9, Hopkinton Village is specifically addressed on page 4.13, also see Objective 3 on page 4.15) Is this really a good use of limited Town funds? Actually, the Town of Hopkinton has spent $0 on materials for this project! All the materials you see in the demonstration were donated or borrowed. Most of the labor involved in setting it up and maintaining it was volunteer time. A few Hopkinton staff (four DPW and one EDC) have spent approximately a combined 3-4 hours installing and maintaining the project. But other than that and about $40 for the Survey Monkey account, there has been no cost to the Town. But what about the cost if the changes are made permanent? As far as roadway redesign projects are concerned, this could be a very low cost project. If there is a final design, the expectation is that this realignment can be accomplished at very low cost since there would not be new roadway being constructed. There is also the possibility of the Hopkinton Village Precinct contributing money towards the improvements. I’ve never seen or heard of an accident in this location, why does it need to be changed? Accident data was consulted in planning this project, but simple crash data is just one factor influencing the location and timing of this demonstration project. It’s also important to note that accurate and complete crash data is very hard to come by in any location, particularly this one with the many different routes and streets coming together in Hopkinton Village. Crash data is tricky because: complete and accurate data relies on complete and accurate reporting, including exact locational data, which is not always the case; the standards for accident reporting change over time, making a comparisons over time difficult; near misses are never captured in the data, meaning crash data alone does not tell the full story of everything that happens in a location; and it is difficult, sometimes impossible to determine the exact location of an accident because street names are reported inconsistently and there are several different street and route names in this location. Nonetheless, the available data shows that there have been in the range of 26-36 crashes reported at the Hopkinton Village intersection between 2002-2016. Unfortunately, we do not have good locational data after 2017 due to changes in the way crashes are reported to the Department of Public Safety. There are other intersections in town that are much more problematic, why are you focused on this one? There’s no doubt that many other intersections in town need improvement, even more than this one, and others that have had more accidents. However, it was clear when looking at the big picture that safety at this intersection could be addressed in the simplest, quickest, and cheapest way compared to others. With the contributions and support from the Hopkinton Village Precinct, NHDOT, and Central NH Regional Planning, the only Town contribution has been staff time, which is minimal. Ok, so what are you doing about those other intersections? Solutions for other intersections, for example Fountain Square in downtown Contoocook, the Fire Station intersection (Pine/Kearsarge/Park), Clement Hill and Maple St at the dam, and 202/9 and Maple St/Route 127 are much more complicated and costly. The intersection of 202/9 and Maple St (aka the Dunkin’ intersection) is in the State's current 10-year Plan and fully funded, so progress is being made to improve it. And the Fountain Square intersection in downtown Tooky will be submitted to the State’s 10-year Plan for 2023-32. So those more problematic areas will be addressed by the State of NH over the next several years. (The 10-year Plan is generally for projects over $1 million, so since it would be a much smaller project, the Hopkinton Village intersection is not a candidate for being funded that way. Since there would not be new roadway being constructed, this project would be significantly cheaper if these changes were adopted permanently.) Did you consider the fact that large vehicles - Class 8 tractor trailers and other CDL vehicles - have to make this turn? Yes, we did. And we have received some feedback that during the demonstration, the right turn going from Main St (NH202/US9) onto Hopkinton Road (NH103) was tighter than desired for those largest vehicles. Don’t worry! Before any final design is approved (if there is one), formal engineering will ensure the radius of any and all turns can accommodate large vehicles like Class 8 semi trucks. Don’t the voters have to approve this project and any changes to the roads? Actually, no. Having every road project specifically approved at Town Meeting would be extremely cumbersome. Voters approve an overall budget for roadway maintenance and improvement, and within that, decisions are made to change and fix roadways for numerous reasons, including safety and slowing traffic. For example, changes were made in the last couple years to the intersections of Briar Hill Road and Old Stage Coach Road, and other areas. What about other measures to slow traffic, like stop signs or speed bumps or humps? Stop signs can be very effective in slowing traffic, but based on our current understanding*, this location would not be a good candidate for additional stop signs. Stop signs are intended to help drivers and pedestrians determine who has the right-of-way at an intersection. Stop signs are installed where accidents, observation, or other data show that drivers are not observing the right-of-way rule. Speed bumps or humps are also very effective in certain locations for slowing vehicle speeds. Based on our current understanding*, this intersection is not a good candidate for a speed bump or hump, as they are best used on straight stretches of road where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic. Speed bumps and humps also have to be used judiciously in our climate because they can pose a challenge to winter plowing. *Our current understanding is based on the old traffic pattern. NHDOT could make a different determination based on the results of the feedback and data that comes out of this demonstration. If the concern is speeding, why not add more speed limit signs or lower the speed limit? Speed limit signs alone don’t necessarily slow traffic. Lowering the speed limit below typical roadway safety standards is also ineffective as a stand-alone effort at addressing speeding, because most drivers travel at a speed they deem typical for the roadway conditions. Wide streets with multiple lanes, no on-street parking, no street trees, or buildings that are set far away from the street or separated from the street by parking lots create conditions where it feels comfortable for drivers to travel at higher speeds. In Hopkinton, the speed limit on residential streets is 30 mph on all streets within the Town limits unless otherwise posted. Speed limit signs are installed on arterial streets where the speed limit changes, and at periodic intervals along the street. Speed limits on State routes are determined by NHDOT. How will you know if the “demonstration project” is a success? The goals of the project were to: slow speeds of vehicles traveling through the intersection, make the area conducive to more walking and cycling, in part to encourage increased retail activity around this location, make the area feel safer for all road users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, et al.), and create the potential for an overall reduction in pavement in the area. We will use both subjective and objective information to determine whether the demonstration had any effect on vehicle speeds. We will rely on observational feedback provided in the Hopkinton Village Traffic Calming Demonstration Survey and radar speed data (courtesy of Central NH Regional Planning) gathered before and during the demonstration to determine whether vehicles were traveling at reduced speeds during the demonstration. To determine whether the area was more conducive to walking or biking and felt safer for all road users, we will rely on the feedback provided in the Hopkinton Village Traffic Calming Demonstration Survey. The survey results will be publicly available in the coming days. What are possible next steps? Once the survey closes and the feedback and data are analyzed and consolidated, the Town will begin conversations with NHDOT to determine the best course of action in this location. The total cost of engineering and construction of any permanent improvements, minus any contributions from funding sources outside the Town of Hopkinton’s budget, will determine whether additional funds will be needed to be raised and appropriated by the Town of Hopkinton. What has the survey shown so far? As of 1:30pm on Wednesday, October 26, 193 people have responded to the survey. The responses run the gamut, with the majority of people feeling much or somewhat more safe in the intersection and the majority of people having an overall favorable view of the changes. Here's a snapshot of the results for the two questions that ask peoples' opinions of the project: Frequently Asked Questions Click here to download these FAQ as a PDF. 1/1 Project Photos Did you know...? This project is happening at VIRTUALLY NO COST to the Town of Hopkinton! Thanks to donations of time and materials and with the assistance from the folks listed below. Hopkinton Economic Development Committee members Central NH Regional Planning Commission Hopkinton Village Precinct residents Hopkinton Public Works Department Hopkinton Police Department State of NH DOT Why test out these changes in Hopkinton Village? This intersection has A LOT going on! Check out the graphics below ... The sweeping right turn going west on Main Street (US202/NH9) onto Hopkinton Road (NH103) encourages high rates of speed - faster than the 30 MPH speed limit. Higher speeds = more severe accidents and less safe streets. With the newly designed turn, drivers will slow down going through the intersection. The "extra" slip lane (described above) creates an additional source of oncoming traffic for vehicles turning into and out of Briar Hill Road, meaning more chances for conflicts (i.e. accidents) between vehicles and other road users. There are NO crosswalks at or near this intersection, making it unclear for both pedestrians and motorists where and when someone may be in the road on foot. This demonstration adds a single crosswalk across Main Street (this is the location specifically permitted by NHDOT). When vehicles move at slower and safer speeds and pedestrian facilities are in place, people are encouraged to walk or bike to their destination - this reduces the number of cars on the road (less wear and tear all around) and leads to more physical activity and a healthier community. Ultimately, if this "demonstration" is successful, and the changes are adopted in a more permanent way, pavement (impervious) could be replaced with green space (permeable), which would improve stormwater infiltration and road drainage in the area, meaning easier maintenance . Why does the Economic Development Committee support this? First, part of the EDC's vision for Economic Development means better quality of life for all of Hopkinton's residents - in addition to supporting and growing businesses. Safer transportation and more transportation options are part of that vision. Slower streets are safer streets , and safer streets are more productive streets . It's true that Hopkinton Village doesn't have quite the commercial activity that Contoocook Village does. And it's true that Contoocook Village has its own traffic issues. However, the intersection here in Hopkinton Village is a bit less complicated, though is still the intersection of two State highways. This project is beneficial for the reasons stated above, AND it is a good way to test out some traffic calming strategies before moving to a more complicated project, for example in Contoocook Village. Project Info Project Graphics Two Villages, One Heart. Opportunity Grows Here. There's so much HAPPENING in HOPKINTON + CONTOOCOOK Hopkinton Village Traffic Calming Demonstration Project As of 8:30am Thursday, November 3, the Traffic Calming Demonstration was dismantled. Thank you to everyone who took the survey and shared your feedback in other ways! Why did it get removed? The materials borrowed from the Regional Planning Commission had to be returned. And now that it's November, it could snow any day now! (Only kind of kidding.) So to prevent cones and barricades getting stuck in snow piles until April, those were removed as well. What does this mean for the intersection? All t he groups involved agree that much valuable knowledge was gained from this demonstration. Many of the aspects of the demonstration were highly successful based on the goals set for the project (which were to: slow speeds of vehicles traveling through the intersection; make the area conducive to more walking and cycling , in part to encourage increased retail activity around this location; make the area feel safer for all road users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, et al.); and create the potential for an overall reduction in pavement in the area .) While we are still determining exactly the next steps and still gathering survey feedback, the probable next step is a presentation to the Select Board in the coming weeks with a recommendation. What were the survey results? Thank you to all 320 people who shared their feedback! Nearly 75% of respondents felt safer or neutral with the new traffic pattern, and about 61% of respondents had an overall generally favorable or neutral opinion of the traffic calming measures implemented. Before you go! Check out these GORGEOUS drone shots from the morning of Thursday, November 3, just before it was dismantled. THANK YOU GREG SAGRIS! Project Details what is traffic calming? what is a demonstration project? who do I contact with questions? What is traffic calming? Traffic calming is any physical change in a street that makes drivers slow down. Traffic calming makes streets safer for people who walk, bike, roll, and drive. This project will display ways we can make the street safer for all. Traffic calming also builds on the Economic Development principle that safer streets are more productive streets. What is a demonstration project? An easy-to-install, short-term traffic calming installment using materials such as traffic tape, chalk paint, traffic cones, and other materials that can easily be removed. The event helps to inform and educate road users and the Town for future planning. If this demonstration is successful, it could lead to lasting change in this location, as well as future demonstrations in other areas! Who do I contact with questions? Please get in touch with Anna Wells, Economic Development Director: awells@hopkinton-nh.gov The Basics: Who decided to do this demonstration project? This is a collaboration between the Town of Hopkinton, the Hopkinton Village Precinct, the Central NH Regional Planning Commission, and the State of NH Department of Transportation. From the Town of Hopkinton, assistance was provided in planning and setup by Hopkinton’s Economic Development Committee, Police Department, and Department of Public Works. Why are you trying out a new traffic pattern in this location? This intersection has been identified as an area of concern by residents for many years in planning documents that have all been approved at Public Hearings. This area has been called out for decades as needing to be redesigned due to driver speeds, excess pavement, and the alignment of the roads coming together. It is highlighted in the Hopkinton Village Precinct Master Plan and Hopkinton’s Master Plan (all versions). In the Hopkinton Village Precinct Master Plan, see the Transportation Inventory (page 12-13) and Goals and objectives, Section III - Transportation (page 28). In the Town of Hopkinton Master Plan of 2002/2012, see Chapter VI, Transportation (begins on page 111, specifically addresses Hopkinton Village on page 133). And in the Town of Hopkinton Master Plan of 2022, see Section 4, Transportation (Motor Vehicle Crashes are addressed on page 4.9, Hopkinton Village is specifically addressed on page 4.13, also see Objective 3 on page 4.15) Is this really a good use of limited Town funds? Actually, the Town of Hopkinton has spent $0 on materials for this project! All the materials you see in the demonstration were donated or borrowed. Most of the labor involved in setting it up and maintaining it was volunteer time. A few Hopkinton staff (four DPW and one EDC) have spent approximately a combined 3-4 hours installing and maintaining the project. But other than that and about $40 for the Survey Monkey account, there has been no cost to the Town. But what about the cost if the changes are made permanent? As far as roadway redesign projects are concerned, this could be a very low cost project. If there is a final design, the expectation is that this realignment can be accomplished at very low cost since there would not be new roadway being constructed. There is also the possibility of the Hopkinton Village Precinct contributing money towards the improvements. I’ve never seen or heard of an accident in this location, why does it need to be changed? Accident data was consulted in planning this project, but simple crash data is just one factor influencing the location and timing of this demonstration project. It’s also important to note that accurate and complete crash data is very hard to come by in any location, particularly this one with the many different routes and streets coming together in Hopkinton Village. Crash data is tricky because: complete and accurate data relies on complete and accurate reporting, including exact locational data, which is not always the case; the standards for accident reporting change over time, making a comparisons over time difficult; near misses are never captured in the data, meaning crash data alone does not tell the full story of everything that happens in a location; and it is difficult, sometimes impossible to determine the exact location of an accident because street names are reported inconsistently and there are several different street and route names in this location. Nonetheless, the available data shows that there have been in the range of 26-36 crashes reported at the Hopkinton Village intersection between 2002-2016. Unfortunately, we do not have good locational data after 2017 due to changes in the way crashes are reported to the Department of Public Safety. There are other intersections in town that are much more problematic, why are you focused on this one? There’s no doubt that many other intersections in town need improvement, even more than this one, and others that have had more accidents. However, it was clear when looking at the big picture that safety at this intersection could be addressed in the simplest, quickest, and cheapest way compared to others. With the contributions and support from the Hopkinton Village Precinct, NHDOT, and Central NH Regional Planning, the only Town contribution has been staff time, which is minimal. Ok, so what are you doing about those other intersections? Solutions for other intersections, for example Fountain Square in downtown Contoocook, the Fire Station intersection (Pine/Kearsarge/Park), Clement Hill and Maple St at the dam, and 202/9 and Maple St/Route 127 are much more complicated and costly. The intersection of 202/9 and Maple St (aka the Dunkin’ intersection) is in the State's current 10-year Plan and fully funded, so progress is being made to improve it. And the Fountain Square intersection in downtown Tooky will be submitted to the State’s 10-year Plan for 2023-32. So those more problematic areas will be addressed by the State of NH over the next several years. (The 10-year Plan is generally for projects over $1 million, so since it would be a much smaller project, the Hopkinton Village intersection is not a candidate for being funded that way. Since there would not be new roadway being constructed, this project would be significantly cheaper if these changes were adopted permanently.) Did you consider the fact that large vehicles - Class 8 tractor trailers and other CDL vehicles - have to make this turn? Yes, we did. And we have received some feedback that during the demonstration, the right turn going from Main St (NH202/US9) onto Hopkinton Road (NH103) was tighter than desired for those largest vehicles. Don’t worry! Before any final design is approved (if there is one), formal engineering will ensure the radius of any and all turns can accommodate large vehicles like Class 8 semi trucks. Don’t the voters have to approve this project and any changes to the roads? Actually, no. Having every road project specifically approved at Town Meeting would be extremely cumbersome. Voters approve an overall budget for roadway maintenance and improvement, and within that, decisions are made to change and fix roadways for numerous reasons, including safety and slowing traffic. For example, changes were made in the last couple years to the intersections of Briar Hill Road and Old Stage Coach Road, and other areas. What about other measures to slow traffic, like stop signs or speed bumps or humps? Stop signs can be very effective in slowing traffic, but based on our current understanding*, this location would not be a good candidate for additional stop signs. Stop signs are intended to help drivers and pedestrians determine who has the right-of-way at an intersection. Stop signs are installed where accidents, observation, or other data show that drivers are not observing the right-of-way rule. Speed bumps or humps are also very effective in certain locations for slowing vehicle speeds. Based on our current understanding*, this intersection is not a good candidate for a speed bump or hump, as they are best used on straight stretches of road where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic. Speed bumps and humps also have to be used judiciously in our climate because they can pose a challenge to winter plowing. *Our current understanding is based on the old traffic pattern. NHDOT could make a different determination based on the results of the feedback and data that comes out of this demonstration. If the concern is speeding, why not add more speed limit signs or lower the speed limit? Speed limit signs alone don’t necessarily slow traffic. Lowering the speed limit below typical roadway safety standards is also ineffective as a stand-alone effort at addressing speeding, because most drivers travel at a speed they deem typical for the roadway conditions. Wide streets with multiple lanes, no on-street parking, no street trees, or buildings that are set far away from the street or separated from the street by parking lots create conditions where it feels comfortable for drivers to travel at higher speeds. In Hopkinton, the speed limit on residential streets is 30 mph on all streets within the Town limits unless otherwise posted. Speed limit signs are installed on arterial streets where the speed limit changes, and at periodic intervals along the street. Speed limits on State routes are determined by NHDOT. How will you know if the “demonstration project” is a success? The goals of the project were to: slow speeds of vehicles traveling through the intersection, make the area conducive to more walking and cycling, in part to encourage increased retail activity around this location, make the area feel safer for all road users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, et al.), and create the potential for an overall reduction in pavement in the area. We will use both subjective and objective information to determine whether the demonstration had any effect on vehicle speeds. We will rely on observational feedback provided in the Hopkinton Village Traffic Calming Demonstration Survey and radar speed data (courtesy of Central NH Regional Planning) gathered before and during the demonstration to determine whether vehicles were traveling at reduced speeds during the demonstration. To determine whether the area was more conducive to walking or biking and felt safer for all road users, we will rely on the feedback provided in the Hopkinton Village Traffic Calming Demonstration Survey. The survey results will be publicly available in the coming days. What are possible next steps? Once the survey closes and the feedback and data are analyzed and consolidated, the Town will begin conversations with NHDOT to determine the best course of action in this location. The total cost of engineering and construction of any permanent improvements, minus any contributions from funding sources outside the Town of Hopkinton’s budget, will determine whether additional funds will be needed to be raised and appropriated by the Town of Hopkinton. What has the survey shown so far? As of 1:30pm on Wednesday, October 26, 193 people have responded to the survey. The responses run the gamut, with the majority of people feeling much or somewhat more safe in the intersection and the majority of people having an overall favorable view of the changes. Here's a snapshot of the results for the two questions that ask peoples' opinions of the project: Frequently Asked Questions Click here to download these FAQ as a PDF. 1/1 Project Photos Did you know...? This project is happening at VIRTUALLY NO COST to the Town of Hopkinton! Thanks to donations of time and materials and with the assistance from the folks listed below. Hopkinton Economic Development Committee members Central NH Regional Planning Commission Hopkinton Village Precinct residents Hopkinton Public Works Department Hopkinton Police Department State of NH DOT Why test out these changes in Hopkinton Village? This intersection has A LOT going on! Check out the graphics below ... The sweeping right turn going west on Main Street (US202/NH9) onto Hopkinton Road (NH103) encourages high rates of speed - faster than the 30 MPH speed limit. Higher speeds = more severe accidents and less safe streets. With the newly designed turn, drivers will slow down going through the intersection. The "extra" slip lane (described above) creates an additional source of oncoming traffic for vehicles turning into and out of Briar Hill Road, meaning more chances for conflicts (i.e. accidents) between vehicles and other road users. There are NO crosswalks at or near this intersection, making it unclear for both pedestrians and motorists where and when someone may be in the road on foot. This demonstration adds a single crosswalk across Main Street (this is the location specifically permitted by NHDOT). When vehicles move at slower and safer speeds and pedestrian facilities are in place, people are encouraged to walk or bike to their destination - this reduces the number of cars on the road (less wear and tear all around) and leads to more physical activity and a healthier community. Ultimately, if this "demonstration" is successful, and the changes are adopted in a more permanent way, pavement (impervious) could be replaced with green space (permeable), which would improve stormwater infiltration and road drainage in the area, meaning easier maintenance . Why does the Economic Development Committee support this? First, part of the EDC's vision for Economic Development means better quality of life for all of Hopkinton's residents - in addition to supporting and growing businesses. Safer transportation and more transportation options are part of that vision. Slower streets are safer streets , and safer streets are more productive streets . It's true that Hopkinton Village doesn't have quite the commercial activity that Contoocook Village does. And it's true that Contoocook Village has its own traffic issues. However, the intersection here in Hopkinton Village is a bit less complicated, though is still the intersection of two State highways. This project is beneficial for the reasons stated above, AND it is a good way to test out some traffic calming strategies before moving to a more complicated project, for example in Contoocook Village. Project Info Project Graphics

Contact the Town of Hopkinton Economic Development Committee. Find Us Get in touch! Economic Development Director, Anna Wells: awells@hopkinton-nh.gov 603-746-8264 330 Main Street, Hopkinton, NH 03229 Name Email Subject Message Submit Thanks for being in touch!

Summer Secrets Client: Breech Year: 2023 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Previous Next

Hopkinton EDC's Opportunity Campaign Since 2020, the Hopkinton EDC has been engaging in visioning sessions, collectively referred to as an "Opportunity Campaign." The EDC identified several key areas in town they believe to have opportunities for improvement and growth. These areas and the assets and opportunities they identified are below. 01 Contoocook Village Riverfront + Parks 02 Exit 6/Maple Street 03 Exit 4/Hopkinton Village 04 Hart's Corner (Intersection of Routes 202/9 and Maple Street (Route 127).)

Curious about business incentives? Looking to relocate to Hopkinton? Have a new business idea? Start here! BUILD YOUR BUSINESS Opportunity grows here. Whether you're just starting out or you want to relocate an established business, Hopkinton welcomes you! Hopkinton is a great place to do business. Here are a few ways we can help... Incentives & Zoning Establish Your Business in Hopkinton Resources for Businesses + Developers Infrastructure + Economic Incentives What & where are the TIF Districts ? Exit 6 TIF District Hart's Corner TIF District What & where are the ERZs ? Exit 6 ERZ Contoocook Village ERZ What & where is 79-E ? Contoocook Village 79-E Zone Hopkinton Village 79-E Zone Hopkinton+Contoocook Zoning Code In 2020, Hopkinton created the Commerce and Community Overlay District to provide an opportunity for a range of residential housing choices and small-scale neighborhood retail and services in a planned development that incorporates open space. Currently, the CCOD applies to properties located near the Henniker/Hopkinton Town Line along Maple Street (Route 127) and Route 202/9 (shown on Tax Map 210 as Lot 3 and Tax Map 211 as Lots 7, 8, 9 and 9.01). Table of Uses Dimensional and Density Requirements Zoning Map (current map coming soon) Online Property / Zoning Maps F ull Z oning Ordinance (2023) Commercial, Industrial, and Multi-Family Residential Districts : B-1 = commercial VB-1 = village commercial M-1 = industrial VM-1 = village industrial VR-1 = village high density residential R-1 = high density residential R-2 = medium density residential Affordable Housing Section Site Plan Review ( required for any expansion or change of use for non-residential or multifamily residential uses) To develop a business in Hopkinton, we encourage you to contact us at Town Hall. Economic Development Director, Anna Wells : (603)-746-8264 Planning Director, Karen Robertson : (603) 746-3170 We can assist you in determining which permits and approvals you will need and can direct you to the appropriate contact(s). You can also obtain information on specific properties from the Assessing Department at (603) 746-3170. Search for available Properties: Moody's CRE NNEREN How to get started: The Planning Process Businesses of any size and at any stage may find these resources helpful. LOCAL RESOURCES Hopkinton's Economic Development Committee Discover Contoocook (formerly the Contoocook Chamber of Commerce) Kearsarge Area Chamber of Commerce Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Hopkinton's Community Profile Hopkinton Rotary Club SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES Small Business Administration - NH District American Independent Business Alliance Main Street America NH Community Loan Fund business loans and training STATE & REGIONAL RESOURCES Manufacturing Extension Partnership NH Tech Alliance UNH Agritourism Resources Business and Industry Association of NH Mentoring & Training Merrimack Valley SCORE NH Small Business Development Center UNH - CEO + Family Business Center Financing & Access to Capital NH Business Finance Authority NH Community Loan Fund Capital Regional Development Council (CRDC) State of New Hampshire NH Division of Economic Development NH Division of Travel + Tourism Development NH Small Business Development Center HOUSING RESOURCES InvestNH - Housing Program NH Housing Finance Authority For a list of the variety of existing businesses in Hopkinton + Village of Contoocook, see here .

Business owners and operators, we want to hear from YOU! Please take this survey so we can better support you. 2023 BUSINESS SURVEY Hopkinton + Contoocook Businesses: We wa nt to hear from YOU! Please complete survey below so we can better understand your needs and how to support you! The survey will take appro ximately 30 minutes to complete (you can start and return any time), it is best viewed on a computer or tablet (rather than a phone), and your in dividual responses will not be shared outside of the Economic Development Committee witho ut your express permission. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE SURVEY THANK YOU! PREFER A PAPER SURVEY? QUESTIONS? Email Anna Wells , E conomic Development Director

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Scroll Down The Work of the Economic Development Committee The Economic Development Committee (EDC) is dedicated to helping create opportunities for economic development through desirable business attraction, retention, growth, and expansion . We work as partners to develop a climate conducive to maintaining the quality of life in this great Town of Hopkinton. Read more about the EDC's Vision and Priorities below. About the Committee Past Economic Development Studies Vision, Priorities & Strategic Objectives 2024 Priorities 2023 Priorities On this page About the Committee At the local level, the Economic Development Committee (EDC) works to understand and support community and economic growth in our small town. The past few years have brought significant upheaval in economic, labor, and real estate markets in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and other national and global factors. Therefore, the EDC stays flexible and adaptable to take advantage of funding opportunities as they arise, while at the same time maintaining the long view toward a cohesive, comprehensive strategy for growth and development. More about the Committee: About the Economic Development Director: The Economic Development Director position was established in March of 2021 and the role was initially filled by a consultant. Anna Wells began in this role in February of 2022. Anna lives on a small farm Hopkinton with her husband and two kids. Her husband was born and raised in Hopkinton and his parents still live here more than 50 years later. They explored elsewhere in New England for a couple decades, then moved back to Hopkinton to raise their children in 2017. She was appointed to the Economic Development Committee in 2018, then was elected to the Select Board in 2019. She stepped down just before her term ended in 2022 to accept this position as Economic Development Director. Past Economic Development Studies Past Economic Development Studies Over the years, the Town of Hopkinton has conducted several Economic Development studies and efforts : " Hart's Corner" Buildout Overview (CNHRPC) - 2021 MTAG (Municipal Technical Assistance Grant) Presentation to Planning Board , Sep 10, 2019 MTAG Final Report , June 2019 Development Potential of Burnham Intervale - 2009 Industrial Land Access Study - 2000 Contoocook Village Charrette - 2000 Hopkinton Tax Base Diversification Strategy - 1998 Vision, Prioritie & Objectives Economic Development Committee Vision, Priorities + Strategic Objectives In order to create a more vibrant and livable community , the EDC: Serves as a conduit between the commercial economic interests in Hopkinton, the municipal government, and the residents; Encourages the economic well-being and expansion of the existing commercial businesses located within the town; Responsibly assists in developing properties within the Town of Hopkinton in an effort to improve the aesthetics of the town while providing additional revenue; Reviews Town ordinances, policies, and practices to determine their impact on existing and proposed commercial endeavors; and Pursues outside sources of funding for necessary and desired projects in Hopkinton, so that vital progress can be accomplished with minimal impact to the residential tax rate. The documents below detail the Hopkinton EDC's vision, priorities, and strategic objectives . They are live Google Docs, updated regularly. The ED C's priorities are informed by: the Town of Hopkinton's 2002 Master Plan and 2022 Master Plan the results of interviews conducted as part of the Municipal Technical Assistance Grant (2019; see more about MTAG here ); the 2020 Master Plan Survey - view the summary and o pen-ended responses ; and the EDC's months-long visioning process called the Opportunity Campaign . 2022 Master Plan 2002 Master Plan (2012 update) Document If the embedded documents do not load below, click here for Strategic Objectives and here for 2023 Priorities . Mail Please contact awells@hopkinton-nh.gov with any questions. 2024 Priorities - more coming soon! Additional information about selected projects can be found here: Downtowns & Trails AARP Walk Audits 2023 Priorities Additional information about selected projects can be found here: Downtowns & Trails AARP Walk Audits Suggested Zoning Amendments for 2024 Town Meeting (withdrawn) Interested in joining our committee? Please fill out this application . The Committee meets on the 1st Wednesdays of the month, or as needed. Please see the meeting schedule here .

- Hopkinton EDC - What we're reading... (and listening to.)

Contoocook Village Walk Audits with generous support from Background: In 2023, the Town of Hopkinton was awarded a Community Challenge "Capacity-Building Microgrant " to assess and enhance the safety and walkability of Contoocook Village using the Walk Audit Toolkit . Hopkinton Economic Development and Human Services jointly applied for this grant based on feedback from business owners, residents, and visitors in Contoocook Village who want the area to be more walkable, accessible, and safe to enable improved foot traffic to our shops, restaurants, and services. The Economic Development Committee presented the results of the Walk Audits at the July 22, 2024 Hopkinton Select Board meeting . Recommendation: The Economic Development Committee recommends formation of a working group or task force specifically charged with coordinating Contoocook Village improvements - including recommendations found in the report from UNH Cooperative Extension: Strengthening Connections: Downtowns and Trails - Hopkinton-Contoocook. View the PRESENTATION SLIDES here and the MEETING RECORDING on YouTube. The Walk Audits took place on: July 22, 2023, 9am August 19, 2023, 9a m Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 7:30am Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 3:00pm More details here... thanks to AARP for the spotlight! Photos from the Walk Audits AARP NH made these two videos for us - one before we completed the Walk Audits, and one after. VOICE OVER: Contoocook Village is a hub of activity! We have restaurants, shops, and services right in downtown, and a beautiful river with a dam and the oldest existing covered railroad bridge in the United States. Within about quarter mile we have an elementary school, our Middle and High School, the Town Library, recreation areas, the Community Center, and the only elderly affordable housing development in town. But the village is also dominated by cars, trucks, and wide expanses of pavement. Walking and rolling from place to place around Contoocook Village can be challenging and at times dangerous. There are very few crosswalks, and some sidewalks - but they are narrow, uneven, and crumbling, and in some areas blend right into the road. This project will bring attention to the social, economic, and health benefits of walkability, and help prioritize walkability in ongoing planning. Walk Audits are a wonderful tool to involve residents of all ages across the community to raise awareness of the economic, social, and health benefits of making our village more walkable and how to accomplish that. They will highlight possible solutions and help folks understand how good infrastructure and design can provide safe and accessible walking. These Walk Audits will provide data to the NH Department of Transportation and build community advocacy to prioritize walkability in NHDOT’s ongoing planning for these intersections. VOICE OVER: Welcome to the quant, historic, and picturesque Village of Contoocook, in Hopkinton, NH. This is truly the beating heart of our community. This is the retail and commercial hub, and within a short walk, you can reach two of our three school buildings, nearly all of the town’s recreational and sports facilities, the town library, community center, post office, and a growing and popular trail network. The scenic and protected Contoocook River runs directly through the center of the village. We have lovely shops and restaurants, owned and operated by creative and hard-working people, who are consistently making investments and improving their offerings. We love our little business community here! But one of their top concerns is safety and accessibility for their customers. The village is dominated by fast-moving cars, heavy trucking, and wide expanses of pavement. There are sidewalks through most of the village, but they are narrow, uneven, and crumbling, and in some areas blend right into the road. There are only a few crosswalks, but they have poor sight lines and hard to see. AARP’s Community Challenge Microgrant provided the Town of Hopkinton just the catalyst we needed to document the unique challenges to accessibility and walkability in our village. This summer and fall, Hopkinton’s Economic Development and Human Services groups hosted 4 Walk Audits, examining 4 different well-traveled routes throughout the village. Over 20 community members came out to help with this project. We gathered a lot of information and we are putting it together into a report that we will use to advocate for changes to making this village more walkable, more livable for folks of all ages in our community.