Mayor Byron Champlin and City Manager Tom Aspell returned to present at the Chamber’s annual State of the City forum, sponsored by Bar Harbor Wealth Management and hosted by the DoubleTree by Hilton. Here, Champlin and Aspell offered a clear message: Concord is balancing growth and long-term planning, with housing, infrastructure, and economic development at the center of the conversation. In their joint presentation, they highlighted both the momentum from the past year and the major investments still ahead.
Mayor Champlin opened by reviewing a list of priorities generated by City Council at the start of the new term. These centered on fiscal responsibility, economic and community development, infrastructure investment, and housing stability. Housing remained a central theme throughout Champlin’s presentation. He emphasized that Concord continues to be one of New Hampshire’s most desirable communities, highlighting an October 2025 study by Realtor.com that ranked Concord among the top 20 hottest housing markets in the nation. He also noted that Concord has been designated by the state as a Housing Champion, reflecting the city’s excellence in zoning, compliance, and investments public housing.
However, this popularity has brought real affordability challenges. “It kind of shocks me to talk about these numbers,” Champlin stated while citing rent prices for new apartments at Stickney Avenue.
“This is what the market is right now, and this is one of the challenges that we face and one of the reasons… that we’ve focused on affordability.”
He also stressed that Concord has continued to support income-restricted housing, noting that the city has added 380 affordable units in recent years and has more slated for development. He also updated attendees on the city’s master plan process and zoning amendments which are being advanced to encourage multifamily housing, residential conversions, and other development opportunities.
Aspell’s portion of the presentation offered a sweeping tour of development activity across the city. Downtown, he highlighted completed and ongoing projects including new and in-construction apartments and mixed-use properties, the proposed Phoenix Block renovation, Arts Alley, and parking improvements such as the legislative garage and a planned lot by the Concord Coach Lines station that he described as “a game changer for this whole area.” In the Heights, Aspell announced the return of the Steeplegate Mall renovation project, where future mixed-use development could bring hundreds of housing units alongside major commercial investment. He made clear, however, that this kind of growth depends on expanded infrastructure. Discussing planned sewer upgrades, Aspell noted that Concord’s Housing Champion status helped secure about $869,000 in state grant funding for a new pump station. That investment, along with future wastewater improvements, is intended to support housing growth in the area for decades to come.
Aspell also reviewed steps that Concord is taking to expand revenue sources. He presented an overview of the solar panel project on Old Turnpike Road, projecting the project will generate approximately 3 million dollars over the next 20 years in rent and tax payments with an additional 1.5 million from group net metering.
“So again, this is your local government trying to bring in additional revenue, but at the same time use city property for [taxpayer benefit].”
He also discussed the public/private development on Merchants Way off exit 17, noting that the city upfronted money through a TIF district to begin construction which would otherwise be stalled by approvals at the state level. This project, according to Aspell, is a key example of development that attracts larger businesses which in turn expands Concord’s tax base. To date, this project has 142,000 square feet of new development and another 37,200 square feet under construction, generating approximately $18 million in new assessed value.
Aspell concluded by reviewing other major projects, including the Loudon Road bridge replacement, the new police station, renovations of Beaver Meadow Golf Course’s clubhouse, White Park playground upgrades, development in Penacook, and the continued expansion of the Merrimack River Greenway Trail.
Overall, Champlin and Aspell presented an optimistic picture of Concord’s future and asserted the city’s dedication to removing barriers, investing in essential infrastructure, and creating room for more housing, businesses, and community amenities in the years ahead.
Watch the full recording of this event courtesy of our friends at ConcordTV.
We would like to extend our thanks to Bar Harbor Wealth Management for sponsoring this presentation.
Use the button below to access slides from the presentation.
Incorporated in 1919, New Hampshire’s state capital chamber of commerce—the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce—develops economic opportunities, strengthens the business climate, and enhances quality of life in the Capital region. As largest chamber in the state, it is deeply invested in the local community and dedicated to shaping competitive economic development strategy, advocating for policies and projects that benefit the region, and promoting Concord as a culturally vibrant visitor destination. For more information, please visit concordnhchamber.com.