Forum on The Monadnock Region in the Global Marketplace 

The Planning Commission and the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce will co-sponsor a forum entitled The Monadnock Region in the Global Market Place on Friday, October 5, 2007 at Keene State College. The half day event will feature two panels consisting of international trade specialists, academics and regional business leaders. Panelists will discuss business strengths and opportunities as they apply to our own regional identity and within the Global Marketplace. For more information or to register, please contact Matthew Suchodolski of Commission staff or visit www.swrpc.org/globalmarketplace to review the program and register on-line.

The 32nd Annual Municipal Law Lecture Series sponsored by the New Hampshire Local Government Center is scheduled to begin on September 19, 2007. The lectures which begin at 7:00 p.m. will be held at the Jaffrey Fire Station according to the following schedule:

• September 19th - Land Use Law Update
• September 26th - Uncommon Ground: Working Together to Achieve Conservation & Development Goals
• October 3rd - Legal Issues for Land Use Board Members

Brownfields Projects Nearing Completion 

Since the summer of 2006, the Southwest Region Brownfields Assessment Program has been focused on two projects that are now nearing completion. Frank's Texaco in Winchester saw the removal of three underground storage tanks and piping related to the old gasoline pumps. Bedard's Auto Repair and General Store in Surry had one tank removed as well as piping related to the former gasoline pumps and the pump island itself. Both projects have helped the current property owners come into compliance with the NH Department of Environmental Services' regulations regarding underground storage tanks and make them eligible for clean-up funds. If you know of a site within your community that may be contaminated and you would like further information about the Brownfields Assessment Program, please contact Natalie Shafiroff of Commission staff.

CEDS Milestones 

Staff worked with the Planning Commission's Economic Development Advisory Committee to complete deliverables associated with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Southwest NH. A 2007 revision of the 2005 document was completed as was the 2007 Annual Report. These items were submitted to the US Economic Development Administration this Summer and can be reviewed by visiting our website at www.swrpc.org. For additional information, please contact Matthew Suchodolski of Commission staff.

Annual Fall Planning & Zoning Conference 

The NH Office of Energy and Planning's annual Fall Planning and Zoning Conference is scheduled for Saturday, October 13th at the Mountain Club on Loon in Lincoln, NH. Nine sessions covering basic and advanced planning and zoning topics will be available. For more information, please contact Michele Zydel of NH OEP at 271-2155 or visit http://www.nh.gov/oep/events/OEPFallPlanningandZoningConference.htm

GACIT Meetings Scheduled for the Southwest Region 

The Governor's Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transporation (GACIT) has scheduled a series of hearings throughout the State to discuss the NH Department of Transportation's 2009-2018 10-Year Transportation Improvement Program. Four hearings will be held during October 2007 in the Southwest Region as follows:

• October 9th; 9:00 a.m.; Walpole; American Legion Bridge Wilson Post #77, 73 Main Street
• October 9th; 12:30 p.m.; Harrisville; Town Hall, 705 Chesham Road
• October 16th; 6:30 p.m.; Peterborough; Town Hall, Upper Hall, 1 Grove Street
• October 23rd; 6:30 p.m.; Keene; Keene Library Auditorium, 60 Winter Street