On Feb. 11, Leadership Lakes Region held its Economic Issues Day, an intensive dive into the fiscal forces shaping New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.
The program began in Franklin with Marty Parichand, (Outdoor New England) detailing the city’s downtown revitalization. A panel facilitated by Kim Sperry (LLR '09) followed, featuring Amy Landers, Lakes Region Tourism (LLR '00), Karmen Gifford, Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce (LLR '09), and Danielle Scadova-Vose, Lakes Region Planning Commission, focusing on the intersection of tourism and local business.
Heather Shank, (Leadership Greater Concord), senior planner, Department of Business and Economic Affairs, addressed the critical shortage of affordable housing and childcare, illustrating how these "twin pillars" dictate workforce retention.
In the afternoon, the class transitioned to WORK Lakes Region in Laconia for a lunch sponsored by Grappone Auto Group. Owner Jodie Gallant (LLR '12) shared her entrepreneurial journey and strategies for growth. The session continued with Chris Logan, president & CEO of Bank of New Hampshire, who provided insights into the economy, changing banking trends and impact of community banking.
Participants then tackled "The Impossible Pie," a budget simulation facilitated by Dona Murray (LLR '12) regarding public sector trade-offs. The day concluded with a housing impact panel facilitated by John Beland (LLR '05), featuring experts Joia Hughes, City of Laconia, Kim Lesnewski, Meredith Village Savings Bank (LLR '18), Carmen Lorentz, Lakes Region Community Developers (LLR '12), Scott Knowles, and Chris Adams, Re/Max Bayside (LLR '15).
The heavy involvement of alumni — ranging from LLR 00 to LLR 18 — underscored the program’s long-term impact on community leadership.
"Today was about understanding how a mortgage rate in Laconia and a school budget meeting are all connected," noted one participant.
LLR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing informed community leaders. To learn more, visit leadershiplakesregion.org.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.