Down to Business: An Update from the City of Dover's Office of Business Development

Welcome from the Deputy City Manager

Next week, the City Manager will submit his proposed capital improvements plan to a joint session of the City Council and Planning Board. Why do we have these plans? Good question.

Infrastructure is the foundation upon which every successful community is built. It is easy to appreciate a new park, a revitalized downtown, or a thriving business district, but those visible successes depend on investments that often go unnoticed — safe roads and bridges, reliable water and sewer systems, stormwater infrastructure, public buildings, parks, sidewalks, emergency facilities, and technology that supports essential public services.

For the City of Dover, investing in infrastructure is about more than maintaining what we have today. It is about preparing for tomorrow. Thoughtful capital planning allows the city to replace aging assets before they fail, improve public safety, support economic growth, and ensure that public facilities continue to meet the needs of a growing community.

Proactive investment also helps avoid more costly emergency repairs, extends the life of existing infrastructure, and demonstrates responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.

Dover's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) is the six-year roadmap that guides these long-term investments. The CIP evaluates community needs, prioritizes projects based on public benefit and urgency, identifies funding strategies, and coordinates improvements across all city departments. By planning years in advance, the city can pursue grant opportunities, coordinate construction projects to minimize disruption, and make informed financial decisions that balance current needs with future obligations.

Infrastructure investments also strengthen Dover's quality of life. Well-maintained parks and recreational facilities encourage healthy lifestyles. Safe streets, sidewalks, and trails improve mobility for residents of all ages. Reliable utilities support existing neighborhoods while creating opportunities for new housing and business development. Modern public facilities enable city employees to deliver the high level of service residents expect.

As Dover continues to grow, investing in infrastructure is ultimately an investment in our community's future. The proposed Capital Improvements Program reflects the city's commitment to preserving public assets, supporting sustainable growth, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and ensuring that Dover remains a safe, resilient, and vibrant place to live, work, and visit for generations to come.

Have a great week,

Christopher G. Parker

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

The 42nd Annual Apple Harvest Day is this Saturday, Oct. 3, in downtown Dover.

From Apples to Jack-o’-Lanterns:

October Comes Alive in Dover

By Reid Bickley

Business Development Specilast

Fall is my absolute favorite season. There is something about the cooler air, changing leaves, and pumpkins alongside mums appearing on porches that makes this time of year feel especially exciting. With October almost here, I wanted to take this week to highlight some of the fantastic events, both returning and new, coming to the Dover community this year.

Apple Harvest Day

The excitement begins this Saturday, Oct. 3, with the 42nd Annual Apple Harvest Day. This event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and attracts more than 60,000 people downtown. The day begins with the Apple Harvest Day 5K at 8:30 a.m., followed by hundreds of crafters, makers, nonprofit organizations, and food vendors filling downtown.

Live entertainment, seasonal treats, and local shopping complete one of Dover’s busiest days of the year. Businesses should be ready to make the most of the crowds. Confirm your hours online, schedule enough staff, make storefronts welcoming, and consider offering a quick special or grab-and-go item.

Even businesses outside the festival footprint can join the excitement through social media, creative window displays, and reminders that visitors can continue exploring Dover after the festival ends.

Night at the Museum

The Woodman Museum will add more excitement with Night at the Museum on Oct. 9 and 10, featuring a series of forty-five-minute shows offered at scheduled times between 4:30 and 9:30 p.m.

This family-friendly evening experience is one-part ghost tour and one-part museum tour, and all-around fun! Guests will be guided through scenes throughout the museum and its grounds, meeting people from the past whose artifacts now call the Woodman home.

Witches Market

On Sunday, Oct. 18, Dover's 5th Annual Witches Market will cast its spell over City Hall and Central Avenue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can browse handcrafted goods, herbal products, oddities, and other magical finds while enjoying food, performances, and readings.

Heirloom Hallowe'en

The fall festivities continue Oct. 22 at the Woodman Museum with Heirloom Hallowe’en, featuring rare artifacts from the 1800s through the mid-20th century, including antique jack-o’-lanterns, vintage decorations, postcards, and party games showing how Halloween celebrations have evolved. Join the lecture at 5:30 p.m. to hear the stories behind the objects from curator Kaitlyn Lennox. The exhibit remains on display through Nov. 22.

Zombie Walk, Trunk or Treat, and Pumpkin Stroll

Then, on Saturday, Oct. 24, downtown Dover becomes Halloween headquarters with numerous events.

First up is Dover Main Street’s 20th Annual Zombie Walk, starting at 3 p.m. at the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce’s parking lot before shambling downtown for games, giveaways, treats, and costume contests.

At 5 p.m., the Woodman Museum’s free 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat opens nearby in the Orchard Street Parking Lot, where costumed families can collect treats and meet local businesses and community organizations.

Just steps away, Communitively, Inc. will introduce the inaugural Dover Pumpkin Stroll from 5 to 8 p.m. at Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Gardens and Waldron Court. The free event will feature community-carved jack-o’-lanterns, lighting, music, photo opportunities, and pumpkin displays from Dover businesses.

The The Children's Museum of New Hampshire will also join the Pumpkin Stroll fun from 5 to 7 p.m. After enjoying the glowing display along the Riverwalk, families can take a short walk to the museum’s outdoor Play Patio for free pumpkin-themed activities. Please note that the inside of the museum will be closed during the event.

With several activities happening close together, Oct. 24 offers businesses another chance to extend hours, feature a seasonal special, or invite families inside.

A festive window, welcome, or well-timed social media post can turn an event visitor into a returning customer.

These events are a wonderful reminder that Dover’s best traditions are created when neighbors, businesses, and community organizations come together.

This October, join the fun, share the experience with family and friends, and let’s celebrate the season in the community we are so proud to call home!

Behind the Desk

By James Burdin

Business Development Coordinator

Chris Parker's Welcome letter above explains why the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) matters. I wanted to pick up from my post two weeks ago to show what it looks like in practice to turn a concept from a master plan into a funded project.

Keep in mind that the purpose of a master plan is to provide a community vision, not the details. Even projects that are specifically named in the plan are usually more of a concept than a full scope of work.

Details of project design, development, and scoping generally start after a project is identified in the planning process, and before it is added to the CIP.

Dover's CIP looks ahead six fiscal years, and a new project typically starts in the sixth year of the plan, and then gradually moves up in priority. That gives city leaders time to plan for the project's funding. Projects can advance faster or slower if need and/or funding changes.

Each year's CIP is presented to the Planning Board and City Council in a joint workshop, followed by hearings by both bodies, and adoption about a month later. Once adopted, the projects slated plan's first year get folded into the city fiscal budget process that begins in February. The proposed FY2028-2033 CIP will be released next Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The Henry Law project shows how fluid this process can be. After the Transportation Chapter identified it as a priority, the project was added to the CIP immediately following adoption of the 2000 Master Plan. Over the next few years, the target year for construction changed several times as priorities, conditions, and funding realities shifted. Getting a project into the CIP isn't the finish line. It's the start of an ongoing conversation about when and how it gets built. Sometimes that conversation even changes the scope of the project itself. More on that next week.

Question of the Week



The Office of Business Development seeks public feedback on topics related to our local business community, utilizing the city's polling platform, Polco.

This week's question:

What type of workforce development or job training would benefit Dover residents most?

Let us know

Responses are anonymous, but poll respondents must create an account with Polco to submit answers. Only an email and password is required to make an account.

Last week we asked, "What's your favorite fall activity in Dover?" Responses included, Apple Harvest Day, walking the Community Trail, and leaf peeping.

Apple Harvest Day: Dover's "Homecoming" Turns 42

In the latest episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Margaret Joyce and Jed Allen of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce about the 42nd annual Apple Harvest Day on Saturday, Oct. 3. What began as a small craft fair on Orchard Street with about a dozen crafters has grown into a signature event often described as Dover's homecoming, with roughly 250 vendors, two food courts, a road race, an apple pie contest and entertainment on two stages.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Business Event Happenings 

Dover After Dark: A Downtown Mystery, Oct. 1, 5 to 8 p.m.

Downtown Dover. The mystery continues! Pick up your Detective Log and visit participating downtown businesses to find hidden characters, eliminate suspects, and get one step closer to cracking the case. Keep your log throughout the four-month adventure and turn it in during the December finale for a chance to win prizes and gift cards. Free to participate.

The Climber Grand Opening, Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

6 Washington St. The Climber is officially open! Families are invited to be among the first to explore the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s exciting new climbing experience during either of Friday’s museum sessions. Regular museum admission applies.

42nd Annual Apple Harvest Day, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Downtown Dover. Celebrate one of Dover’s favorite fall traditions with a full day of food, shopping, entertainment, and family fun. Explore more than 250 vendors throughout downtown, enjoy live performances and festival favorites, and cheer on the annual Apple Harvest Day 5K. Free to attend and held rain or shine.

Complete Calendar Listings

Looking for something in Dover? The Office of Business Development continues to update the community calendar to cover all the amazing Dover business events. And if you have events, submit them for inclusion.

Launch or Expand Your Business in Dover, NH!

Contact the Office of Business Development for assistance finding the perfect site for your business. Our team can assist you in site selection and provide access to business resources for business growth and expansion. Email us for more information about how to locate or relocate your business with us!

Let us know about your business

Do you have a question, story, or upcoming event related to businesses in Dover? Please get in touch at Dover-BusinessDevelopment@dover.nh.gov to see it featured here!