New Hampshire, like the rest of the country, is facing several major social and economic crises. Recognizing that we can not solve everything at once, HFECM has selected a few situations that can be clearly identified and to which it can provide solutions that fall within its charter and will provide both short and long term benefits:

• HISTORICAL PRESERVATION

The first plight we face is preserving the unique history of this great country of ours. The North Country is rich in historical sites, some dating back to before the Revolution. Unfortunately, many of these sites are being allowed to crumble, deemed eyesores and knocked down to make way for more “modern” structures.

We owe it to future generations to preserve our history and to do so in a way that does not burden our children with the cost of doing so.

• ECONOMIC

Economic crises are endemic in the North Country. Although the economy is improving throughout the rest of the country, including southern New Hampshire, the North Country continues to lag behind.

Again, HFECM has chosen to focus on the local and regional level where they can produce tangible results.

• LOCAL EMPLOYMENT & TOURISM

Restoration of the Payson Mansion and other structures will provide jobs for local craftsmen

Once the restoration is completed, guides and attendants are anticipated to be needed. Also, local visitor services, which are currently unavailable, will need to be established.

• SOCIOECONOMIC

The greater crisis is dealing with an aging population. This it’s not happening gradually, it’s going to happen as a tsunami as that statistical anomaly known as the Baby Boomers hits retirement age.

The situation in the “ North Country ” is acerbated by the continued migration by our younger population to areas that they view as having more opportunity.

• CURRENT SITUATION

The North Country governmental agencies (local, county and state) are ill equipped to deal with this situation. With a small tax base, low per capita income, and scattered population, they are barely able to cover the services they are providing now.

• OUR PROPOSED SOLUTION

• HFECM intends to establish a facility to be known as the North Country Life Enrichment Center (NCLEC). The NCLEC will be a not-for-profit adult community center located in one of the historic properties being restored by Mr. Diamond

• The NCLEC will be a fully staffed community center for adults from the surrounding area of the North Country.

• Although NCLEC will be a community center, it is intended to make limited free medical care available by offering for-profit medical professionals office space on a barter basis.

• The center will be equipped with all of the traditional entertainment and social facilities.

• Clients may be dropped off for all or part of the day and they and/or their families will be charged and hourly fee for use of the facility based upon ability to pay.

• Although it is assumed that most of the clients will want to participate in the social activities, many of them still have active minds and bodies. Many of these active seniors have been productive their entire lives and are not ready to “retire”.

• Accordingly, all clients will be encouraged to participate in our “Senior Achievement Ô” program.

• The Senior Achievement Ô program will be modeled on the well-known Junior Achievement programs. Most of the NCLEC clients will be farmers and rural workers that are accustomed to leading active lives. Clients who do not want to sit around every day playing bridge, and who wish to participate, will be formed into small groups. These groups will be provided with guidance and advice from volunteers.

The groups will be encouraged to develop ideas for products that they can produce locally (i.e. quilts and woodwork) and sold in local outlets and over the Internet; and services such as guided tours to covered bridges and falls.

Projects will be funded by donations from local businesses and individuals. Funding will be repaid from profits generated by the projects.

• SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND RECENT ACTIVITIES COMPLETED OR UNDERWAY

• CONANT HOUSE – Mostly renovated. Will be developed as a “Gallery/Welcome/Information Center

• Lay out floor plan

• Set up gallery for local artist

• Set up information desk with material from

Bath Historical Society

Grater Littleton Chamber of Commerce

• Volunteers to be provided by

AARP Senior Employment

BHS

• Signs - To be placed in front of Payson Mansion and White House

• JACKMAN BARN – Mostly renovated. Will be developed as NCLEC location.

• Lay out floor plan

• Build out interior

• Develop curricula for NCLEC

• Seeking funding

• Other Eco-Historic Activities and Potential Impact

• NH Div. of Historical Resources – National Scenic Bywa

There are only a few such federally designated roadways in the country. This designation will add prestige and draw additional tourism.

• National Park Service – National Historic District

Listing in the National Register honors a historic place by recognizing its importance to its community, State or the Nation. Under Federal law, owners of private property listed in the National Register are free to maintain, manage, or dispose of their property as they choose provided that there is no Federal involvement. Owners have no obligation to open their properties to the public, to restore them or even to maintain them, if they choose not to do so.

In addition to honorific recognition, listing in the National Register results in the following for historic properties:

• Eligibility for certain tax provisions;

Owners of properties listed in the National Register may be eligible for a 20% investment tax credit for the certified rehabilitation of income-producing certified historic structures such as commercial, industrial, or rental residential buildings. This credit can be combined with a straight-line depreciation period of 27.5 years for residential property and 31.5 years for nonresidential property for the depreciable basis of the rehabilitated building reduced by the amount of the tax credit claimed. Federal tax deductions are also available for charitable contributions for conservation purposes of partial interests in historically important land areas or structures.

• Qualification for Federal grants for historic preservation, when funds are available

• AAA - Designation As A Scenic Road

The AAA has expressed an interest in adding Rt. 302 as a recommended scenic route and destination. Their “Trip Planners” will recommend that their members drive thru Bath. Other map-makers generally follow their lead and mark their maps with a symbol indicating a preferred route.

• LOCAL SUPPORT

All of the following were excited by the project and its positive impact on the town and offered to help in any way they can.

• US Senator Judd Gregg

• US Senator John Sununu

• US Representative Charlie Bass

• Governor John Lynch’s Office

• Executive Councilman Ray Burton *

• State Fire Marshal

• The Bath Board of Selectmen

• New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP)

• The National Trust for Historic Preservation

• The National Register of Historic Places

• The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance *

• Grafton County Senior Citizens Council

• North Country Council

• FUNDING REQUIRED

Initial restoration work has already begun. It is estimated that the project can be completed with a $500,000 grant and matching funds from other sources.

• Working with North Country Council to identify sources of grants

• Applying to foundation departments at:

• Wal-Mart

• Home Depot

• Lowe’s

• Bank of America

• Citizens Bank

• Laconia Bank

• SHORT TERM BENEFITS

• The Payson Mansion and the Barn compliment the Brick Store (the oldest continuously operating General Store in the country) and the Covered Bridge (the longest covered bridge located entirely in the state of NH) to form the basis for a more significant National Historic District. This will contribute to increased tourism.

• The AAA has expressed an interest in adding Rt. 302 as a recommended scenic route and destination.

• The North Country Life Enrichment Center (NCLEC) will address an inevitable situation and offer our clients a positive way to continue to contribute to the community.

• LONG TERM BENEFITS

• Programs developed by HFECM and the NCLEC will be self-funded education and community center programs that will significantly impact the tax burden.

• Together these initiatives will contribute vitality to the area that can be replicated elsewhere in the North Country.

• The reduced tax burden, combined with trained workers, will draw new businesses to the North Country.

• MEDIA COVERAGE

• Union Leader – Feature story in “Trends in NH” special section.

• Salmon Press – All 12 publications

• NH Business Review

• New Hampshire Magazine

• New Hampshire Business

• WMUR

• WPTV

• Boston Globe

• Preservation (?)