Manchester Development Corporation provides $500,000 loan to Roedel Companies for new hotel and conference center

Manchester, NH – The Manchester Development Corporation (MDC) recently closed on a $500,000 development loan to Germania Front, LLC, a joint venture partnership between Alta Properties and Roedel Companies - owners/operators of Manchester’s Hilton Garden Inn.  The loan will be used to help finance the construction and renovations of the former Clarion Hotel located on the Amoskeag traffic circle off I-293 Exit 6 into The Falls Center and La Quinta Inn and Suites.  The four-story hotel will feature approximately 109 rooms.  A one-story adjoining building will house a new restaurant along with 3,500-4,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.  

“The MDC loan provides the final financial piece needed to redevelop this property,” stated David Roedel, Partner of Roedel Companies. “This is a significant project in Manchester that will lead to job creation and the revitalization of a once prominent property that has been underutilized for years.  We appreciate MDC’s investment in this project and hope to partner with them again in the future.”  Renovations for The Falls Center and La Quinta Inn and Suites began in October and the hotel is scheduled to open in late February.

MDC is a nonprofit economic development arm of the City of Manchester whose mission is to promote the growth and prosperity of the City by investing in economic development projects and activities within Manchester.  “This is a perfect example of the type of development project MDC is looking to invest in and is at the core of our mission”, stated Newton Kershaw III, MDC Board President.  “We are always looking to form strategic partnerships that will lead to further development and job creation in Manchester.  We were excited for the opportunity to partner with the Roedel Companies and provide financial support to move this project forward.” 

MDC is staffed by the Manchester Economic Development Office (MEDO).  “The Falls Center and La Quinta Inn and Suites redevelopment project improves an important gateway onto the City while providing jobs, needed conference space and enhanced hotel accommodations” stated MEDO Director Jay Minkarah.  “The MDC is a valuable economic development tool for the City and we encourage individuals or companies looking to invest in development projects in Manchester to contact our office.”

Past MDC investments have helped finance the rehabilitation of important downtown landmarks such as the Chase Block, Dunlap Building and McQuades Building, as well as the recent expansion of Benefit Strategies on Elm Street.  MDC has also supported the City’s marketing efforts, the Revolving Loan Fund and several other important economic development, planning and infrastructure related initiatives.  

For more information on the Manchester Development Corporation please contact Jay Minkarah, Manchester Economic Development Office, at (603) 624-6505.  For information regarding Roedel Companies and the Falls Center project please visit http://roedelcompanies.com/ or http://www.whatsupatthefalls.com.  

Manchester - City hosts community forum to discuss Hollow Neighborhood Revitalization Plans

City officials hold Community Forum on Thursday, Feb 9^th to discuss future revitalization plans for Hollow Neighborhood

The Community Improvement Program Division of the Department of Planning and Community Development will be hosting a community forum this Thursday, February 9^th at 7:00pm in the Elliot Hospital Community Room to discuss revitalization plans for the Hollow Neighborhood.  The Hollow Neighborhood encompasses Lake Ave, Spruce Street, Cedar Street, Belmont Street, Hall Street and Massabesic Street.  The community forum is open to all residents and business owners.

Recent improvements in the Hollow Neighborhood include a repainted exterior, new exterior stair tower and the addition of an elevator in the Oddfellows building located on the corner of Lake Ave and Hall Street.  The City is planning on implementing further redevelopment that will get this historic building back in action as a place of business.  Further revitalization plans for the area include the construction of a new duplex on Lake Ave and the redevelopment of the former Oven-Poppers building on Spruce Street. 

During the community forum residents and business owners will be presented with the revitalization plans for the neighborhood and have the opportunity to ask questions from city officials, including Ward 5 Alderman Ed Osbourne.  In addition, business owners will be presented with an opportunity to grow their businesses or improve their building facades through programs sponsored by the Manchester Economic Development Office.

Residents and business owners are highly encouraged to attend.  For more information about the community forum please contact Brian Keating, Planning & Community Development Department, 603-624-6450.

NH DOC - Minimum Security Inmate Walks Away From Manchester Halfway House

(Manchester, N.H.) The New Hampshire Department of Corrections announces that a minimum security inmate is missing from the Calumet Transitional Housing Unit in Manchester.

On January 30, 2012 at approximately 11:45 am, Jimmie Lee Carlton, 45, of Great Lakes, Illinois was found to be in possession of a cell phone which is considered to be contraband.  He was informed that he would be transported to the Corrections Transitional Work Center in Concord to face a disciplinary hearing.  He was given permission to collect his property from his room but instead of going to his room he exited the facility from a side door.  He was placed on walkway status.

Inmate Carlton is described as a black male, with black hair and brown eyes.  He is 67 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds.  He has a scar on his upper left arm.

Inmate Carlton was serving a 6 ½ to 20 year sentence from Strafford County Superior Court for Armed Robbery (RSA 636-1-III) with 222 days credited for time served.  He was admitted to the New Hampshire State Prison on March 29, 2006 and would have been eligible for parole on September 18, 2012.  His sentence will end on November 14, 2014. 

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections, New Hampshire State Police, and the Manchester Police Department are investigating.  Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call a local law enforcement agency or the New Hampshire State Prison at 603-271-1801. 

[freekeenenews] Woman Strips to Lingerie in Manchester Airport to Protest TSA : VIDEO

Kelly Voluntaryist stripped down to her lingerie at Manchester Airport
this weekend to protest the TSA and handed out over 100 fliers to
travelers and airport staff. Here's a video from the event:

http://freekeene.com/2012/01/22/kelly-voluntaryist-strips-down-in-protest-of-the-tsa/

Here she explains her protest:
http://freekeene.com/2012/01/22/kelly-voluntaryist-strips-down-in-protest-of-the-tsa/
and her blog about her protest is here:
http://naturalbornanarchist.com/2012/01/19/dont-strip-our-rights/

Finally, the police decided they wanted to threaten Ademo Freeman for
video recording and we stood up to them and backed them down:
http://freekeene.com/2012/01/22/londonderry-nh-police-officer-receives-101-on-filming-public-officials/

Manchester - 2nd Annual Mayor's Small Business Awards

Manchester, NH – The Mayor’s Office and the Economic Development Office (MEDO) are accepting nominations for the 2^nd Annual Mayor’s Small Business Awards.  The Mayor’s Awards are part of Manchester Small Business Week presented by Citizens Bank.  Manchester Small Business Week (MSBW) will take place from Monday, May 21^st – Friday, May 25^th and will feature a full-week of programs and events geared to provide small business owners with the information and resources they need to be successful.  The Mayor’s Awards will honor Manchester small businesses in three separate categories: Growth, Innovation and Community Service.  Last year’s winners include, XMA Corp. (Growth), Liquid Health Labs (Innovation) and Print Savvy (Community Service).

“Manchester is home to thousands of small businesses, many of which are growing and  implementing innovative business practices that help their business succeed,” stated Mayor Ted Gatsas.  “ The Mayor’s Award allows the City to recognize these unique small businesses and the vital role they play in our local economy.”  

Two finalists from each category will be featured in New Hampshire Business Magazine and the award winners will be recognized at an Awards Recognition Breakfast on Friday, May 25^th at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. 

To nominate a company please visit www.yourmanchesternh.com/ and click on Small Business Week for a nomination form.  Nominations will be accepted through Monday, February 27^th. 

MSBW is made possible through the support of our presenting sponsor, Citizens Bank, and our supporting sponsors, Devine Millimet, Anagnost Companies, Millennium Integrated Marketing, Printer’s Square and New Hampshire Business Magazine. 

For more information about Manchester Small Business Week or to find out how  you can get  involved, please contact Chris Wellington, Economic Development Office, at 603-624-6505 or visit http://www.yourmanchesternh.com/smallbusinessweek.