Under Mayor Craig’s leadership, Manchester has seen an unprecedented level of economic growth, even while navigating economic challenges caused by COVID-19. Throughout her two terms as Mayor, the Queen City has brought in more than 800 new, high-paying jobs, established the first new development in the Millyard in decades, transformed the dilapidated Rex Theatre, saw over $360 million in new, private investments and established programs to ensure local businesses have the resources needed to recover from the pandemic.
Protecting our Local Businesses During the Pandemic
- Established the Small Business Recovery Loan Program with the Manchester Development Corporation, with $1 million available in low-interest loans to distribute $1 million in loans to local businesses during COVID-19.
- Developed the Small Business Resiliency Grant, focused on assisting minority owned businesses, which helped to retain 38 jobs and create 16 jobs for 53 businesses during the pandemic.
- Expanded outdoor dining throughout the pandemic, allowing restaurants to safely offer greater dining capacity, and making our downtown more vibrant.
Growing our Economy
- Partnered with the Manchester Development Corporation and the Palace Theatre to renovate the dilapidated Rex Theatre, revi the space into a 300-seat entertainment venue in downtown.
- Saw the first new development in decades in the Millyard with the building of the Tru by Hilton hotel in the Millyard, a Marriott hotel across the street from the SNHU Arena, and a 1,700 parking garage that will allow businesses to grow.
- Partnered with local businesses, non-profits and residents to apply for a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to improve traffic patterns and redevelop the South Elm Street area.
- Attracted more airline services to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, including the first new airline in 17 years, and oversaw a record year for cargo, with 200 million+ pounds flowing through the airport, a 9% increase over 2019.
- Developed the Affordable Housing Taskforce to address the workforce housing shortage for our growing businesses.
- In partnership with the State, developed a successful proposal to bring BAE Systems into Manchester, creating 800 new, high paying jobs.
- Working with DEKA to bring a VertiPort into the city, which would transport life-saving organs from the Millyard to hospitals in Cambridge or Dartmouth in just 15 minutes.
- Opened in collaboration with Southern New Hampshire University and Major League Soccer, we built mini soccer pitches at Sheehan-Basquil Park at no cost to local taxpayers.
Making City Hall More Accessible
- Launched Passport Parking, an app allowing users to pay for more than 3,000 parking spaces throughout the city directly on their mobile device.
- Instituted a diversity and cultural competency program for representatives from all city departments, to provide all city staff with tools to assist individuals of all backgrounds.
- Established the Mayor’s Multicultural Advisory Council, a first for the city, to collaborate with the community to make Manchester a welcome and inclusive space for people of color, the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities.
- Working to finalize the city’s 10-year plan, which outlines plans and a direction to develop a more inclusive and welcoming city.
