Mount Washington Valley Technology Center To Provide Resources For High Tech Firms

NORTH CONWAY, NH— As high tech firms grapple with the high cost of housing that demands higher wages, The Mount Washington Valley offers bargain housing costs, high speed internet connections, and is planning a $6.2 million high tech training facility.

       After extensive analysis, a feasibility study conducted by Applied Economic Research of Laconia concluded that the Mount Washington Valley region is very much a viable location to provide a new business model for the ever expanding technology sector. The Mount Washington Valley Economic Council (MWVEC) has funded and researched the Mount Washington Valley Technology Village project that just may turn out to be the prototype for providing opportunities for relocation or expansion of high tech firms. At the same time, current residents will find new employment opportunities to raise their standard of living. Students now leave the area to pursue higher paying jobs. This Technology Village may bring them back to live and raise their families in the valley.

       The Mount Washington Valley certainly fits the bill. Known for its scenic beauty, and long history as the "playground" of the Northeast, affordable homes, low crime rates, and quality schools provide an impetus for the tradeoff of high salaries in lieu of a higher quality lifestyle.

       The MWVEC expects the project to house 50-100 new start-up companies, and add as many as 1,200 highly skilled jobs to the area over the next 10 years. Companies will be able to use a "business incubator", sharing equipment, conference rooms, receptionist, and training facilities to get their companies off the ground. Established firms may want to use this system to expand into new areas of development.

Goals Of The Village

• To help local high tech firms prosper
• To retain young, skilled workers
• To bridge NH's digital divide, expanding the state's appeal to high tech firms
• To diversify the North Country economy with high skilled, year-round jobs
• To serve as a national prominent prototype for rural technology development

What The Technology Village Will Offer

• A properly-served location for start-up and established high-tech firms
• A learning center, focusing on technology and seminars for the Valley's young, resourceful labor force
• A technology resource center offering support and wired space for start-up firms

The Plan

• 50 to 75 acres of land in an attractive, accessible setting
• Ten year inventory of space
• State of the art connectivity: ISDN, T1, cable modem, and 56K lines
• 12,500 square feet of classroom and seminar space
• 2,500 square feet of resource center with offices for RDA, SCORE, MWVEC, STC, SBA and more resources under one roof
• 10,000 square feet of business incubator space
• Shared receptionist, conference space, office and other support equipment

       Funding is already being sought from a variety of state and federal economic-development sources, such as Community Development Block Grants and the Business Finance Authority. Private investors, firms and start-up companies are encouraged to participate and reap the benefits. Inquiries may be directed to Margaret Howlett, Executive Director at mwvec@landmarknet.net

For More on The Technology Village go to the MWVEC web site.

More Articles The Lure of Conway Lake New Technology Village