Current Priorities:
1. Implement the recommendations of the Economic Development Strategy (February 2000)
2. Improve the business development climate in the Town of Bow

Current Activities:
1. Development of municipal water system. The well field is under development with the production well scheduled for construction in 2004. The initial production capacity will deliver 400,000 gallons (53,500 cubic feet) per day. The system will include a 1,000,000 gallon storage tank. Final design of the distribution system will be complete in 2004.
2. Extension of municipal waste-water collection system in the business development area. Final design of the collection system in the business area will be complete in 2004. The system will include four pump stations and three miles of sewer main to transport waste to the Hall Street Waste-Water Treatment Facility in Concord.
3. Cooperation with the Bow Economic Development Corporation. The Commission sponsored formation of the Corporation to promote quality business development projects, redevelop the town sandpit, and build partnerships with developers, real estate professionals, land owners, and regional economic development agencies.
4. Providing Economic Development Support to Town boards and commissions. The Commission reviews and comments on development applications pending before the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Board of Selectmen.
5. Business Development Infrastructure. The Commission coordinates with utilities on access to natural gas, telecommunications, and electricity for the business development area. The Commission actively supports access to and use of the active rail line through Bow. The Commission participates actively in NH Department of Transportation projects to ensure that local and regional economic development issues are addressed. The Commission works with Town Departments on provision of transportation, fire suppression, and security services.
6. Business Development Sites. The Commission is meeting with land owners to identify available sites for development and to help market suitable sites.
7. Business Outreach. The Commission has an ongoing program to visit existing businesses to improve the climate for business growth.

To develop a business in the Town of Bow, New Hampshire, begin by contacting the director of planning & economic development (contact form) . The director can help determine which, if any, permits and approvals you will need and can direct you to the persons you need to contact. You can also obtain information on specific properties and property managers from the planning & economic development department.

If you are moving into an existing building, you need to contact the building inspector (contact form) and fire chief (contact form) to arrange inspections and to file materials reports. You may need a site plan review if the land use is different from the previous occupant of the building. Please also contact the police chief to discuss security and patrol issues. The emergency management director will help you file hazardous materials reports.

If you are constructing a new building or an addition, site plan review is required. Conditional Use Permits for wetlands and aquifer protection are often required. Contact the director of planning & economic development for requirements and further information. If your property fronts on a state highway, you will need a driveway permit. Contact the NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) district engineer for permit requirements. Following the site plan review process a building permit will also be required. Contact the building inspector for permit requirements.

In some cases a subdivision may be required. Contact the director of planning & economic development for requirements and further information.

Building Permits(click here for checklist): Contact the building inspector for information or to schedule an appointment to complete the building permit application. Permits are usually issued a week to ten days after submittal of a complete application. All non-residential construction, reconstruction, additions, and renovations require a building permit.

Site Plan Review(click here for application form): Contact the director of planning & economic development for regulations, application forms, and requirements. The site plan review process ensures that development complies with the zoning ordinance and regulations, that the proposal is a workable design, and that the details of parking, loading, drainage, safety, etc are in place. Site and schematic building plans are required and must be prepared under the supervision of a licensed surveyor and/or engineer. The process includes two Planning Board meetings, notification of abutters, and is typically completed within two months.

Subdivision(click here for application form): Contact the director of planning & economic development for regulations, application forms, and requirements. The review process ensures compliance with zoning and development regulations. Subdivision plans include lot, street, utility, and drainage layouts and must be prepared under the supervision of a licensed surveyor and engineer. The process includes three Planning Board meetings, notification of abutters, and is typically completed within three months. If required public improvements are guaranteed, individual lot development can proceed shortly after subdivision approval.

Driveway / Access Permits: The director of planning & economic development will direct you to the persons responsible for reviewing and issuing road related permits. The regulation of access to, development of, and use of town roads is shared by the Select Board, Planning Board, building inspector, and public works director. State and federal highways are controlled though the office of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) District Five Engineer. Town permits are typically issued as a part of a site plan review, subdivision approval, or building permit and generally do not add any time to the process. NHDOT permits are issued after a separate, parallel process which may take two or more months to complete.

Conditional Use Permits (CUP)(click here for application form): Contact the director of planning & economic development for regulations, application forms, and requirements. Prior to the approval of site plan reviews, subdivisions, and building permit applications in specified areas, a CUP for activities in or near wetlands and aquifer recharge areas may be required. Site plans must depict wetlands or aquifer recharge areas on the property, existing and proposed buildings, driveways, and parking areas, and other areas to be disturbed. Plans are usually prepared under the supervision of a certified soils or wetlands scientist. Town boards and officials rely heavily on input from the Conservation Commission in issuing Conditional Use Permits. CUP’s are typically reviewed along with site plans and subdivisions and do not add to the review time period. If processed separately, a CUP generally is completed in one month.

Other State Permits (wetlands, septic, site specific/alteration of terrain, shoreland protection): The State of New Hampshire, through its Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) regulates activities associated with wetlands, erosion, and sedimentation of surface waters. Activities which are within a wetland or adjacent to a prime wetland, which include onsite disposal of sewage, which disturb at least 100,000 square feet of surface area, or which are within 250' of a pond or fourth order stream may require a permit from the NHDES. Contact the permits bureau for rules, application forms, and requirements. In general, NHDES will not proceed with a permit application until Town permits are conditionally approved. The NHDES review process may take two or more additional months to complete.

The Town of Bow has more of the New Hampshire advantage.

Compare the State of New Hampshire to other states or national averages at: www.nheconomy.com or Morgan Quitno Press' web site.