When the biggest obstacle to attracting businesses is lack of a skilled workpool, what’s the solution?
A multi-pronged one, according to Peterborough Office of Community Development Director Peter Throop and Cy Gregg, a member of the town’s Economic Development Authority.
“We have met with most of the major employers in Peterborough and Jaffrey, and we have found that their greatest need is for trained employees,” explained Gregg.
“They’re just hard to come by.”
There are several issues that contribute to this, said Throop – a lack of skilled workers in need of employment, and a lack of places for those workers to live.
“One of the biggest challenges employers in this area have is that potential employees look around and say, ‘Well, where would I live?’ They are unable to see places within a price range that would allow them to live here. And that’s not a problem specific to Peterborough. The housing issue seems to be a significant one.”
In fact, one of the Master Plan subcommittees in Peterborough is focusing on the housing issue as it relates to economic vitality, said Gregg, and there are plans to review the Zoning Ordinance to see if some of the density restrictions need to be addressed in some areas so that workforce housing can grow.
In addition, educational entities are also going to be a focus point for creating aworkforce that will allow companies to pull from a qualified pool – Peterborough is anticipating the start of a satellite campus of Nashua Community College at a Vose Farm Road building on Route 202. The college will offer advanced manufacturing programs involving New Hampshire Ball Bearings and other local manufacturing businesses, as well as offering college courses through ConVal High School, meaning there will be additional students graduating with skill in manufacturing, which is among the largest employment sectors in Jaffrey and Peterborough.
Efforts like the Peterborough Monadnock Art X Tech Makerspace in the Monadnock Plaza also help to foster the entrepreneurial spirit that helps to create new businesses in town, added Throop.
“Makerspaces in general are a tremendous asset for entrepreneurs, allowing them a space to experiment and make prototypes, in addition to giving them access to the tools and sometimes mentorship that they may not have had otherwise,” said Throop.