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

Behind the Desk

by James Burdin

Business Development Coordinator

Last week I wrote about how Dover’s approach to business attraction and development focuses more on creating a strong local business climate supported by relationships. This week, a closer look at one of the tools Dover can leverage when business climate and relationships aren’t enough: the Economic Revitalization Zone, or ERZ.

The ERZ is a state program that provides a tax credit to businesses that make capital investments in their business and create new jobs in the same calendar year. To qualify, a business needs to be located in an approved zone, make the investment itself, and add at least one new full- or part-time employee (contractors and temp workers don’t count). Businesses apply for the tax credit directly through the state’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs annually by Feb. 10.

The ERZ program is a great tool for municipalities because the eligibility zones are set at the local level. This means that Dover can identify the locations where we most want to encourage business growth and development.

The program is also designed to help businesses solve a very specific problem — managing the one-time costs of expanding a business. Businesses are often at their most vulnerable at this stage, and the goal of the ERZ program is to lessen the financial risk just enough for the business to feel comfortable building out that new location or purchasing the new equipment that will make their team more efficient. 

Dover received official confirmation in October that all five of our ERZs were renewed for tax years 2026-2030.

As part of the renewal process, we amended the boundaries of four of the districts because changes in Dover’s growth and recent development meant that some boundaries no longer matched where reinvestment is most likely to happen in the future.

These changes are effective immediately, so businesses that meet the eligibility requirements in tax year 2026 will be able to use the new maps to apply for a credit by Feb. 10, 2027.

Not sure whether your property is in an ERZ, or whether your project would qualify? Reach out to the Office of Business Development for more information, and visit the city's Economic Revitalization Zone website to view the new ERZ maps. Start-up and buildout costs are real, and we’d like to help you find the right tool for the job.

A Little Room to Breathe at Levitate Massage

By Reid Bickley

Business Development Specialist

An hour when nobody needs anything from you. No errands to run, no emails to answer, no reason to apologize if you happen to fall asleep.

That is part of what Christine Miller hopes people find at Levitate Massage, her practice in the mills at 1 Washington St. in downtown Dover. The name came from a feeling she loved after receiving a massage: that little relaxation buzz when you stand up and feel almost as though you’re floating. Today, she helps others find it.

Christine’s path to owning a business started with caring for herself. Following signifigant changes in her health journey in 2022, she embraced fitness and began thinking differently about how she wanted to spend her working days. She had worked in banking, preschools, and elementary schools, but wanted a career that kept her moving. Massage had helped her reconnect with her body and offered a chance to reset, especially as a parent of two young children.

So she went back to school. At the Northeast Institute of Whole Health in Manchester, Christine completed a 750-hour, 13-month program and found encouragement to become her own boss. She also found fellow massage therapists willing to share advice, resources, and the practical details of getting started. “We’re helpers. We want to help,” they told her. There was plenty to learn beyond massage: booking systems, payment processing, a website. Her practice began in Somersworth, moved to Dover’s Picker building, and eventually settled down the hill on the third floor at the Washington Street Mills.

Her advice for a new business owner? Be patient about finding the right space. “Network, ask questions, find people who are similar.” For her, the right space needed to be accessible, with room for both her massage table and Thai massage mat.

Dover offered visibility, convenience for her family, and a community she enjoyed being part of. At 1 Washington, some clients live upstairs. Others work in nearby offices. Familiar faces and neighboring businesses have helped the building feel like her spot.

Inside her room, comfort comes down to details. There is a wider, extra-padded table. Hot towels and aromatherapy are offered without separate add-on charges. For people who prefer to remain fully clothed, Thai massage provides an option involving assisted stretching. Christine can also combine Thai and table massage in one appointment. Her own experiences taught her how easily self-consciousness can get in the way of relaxing. She wants people to feel welcome as they are. Every session begins with the same question: “What’s the goal?” Sometimes the answer is a troublesome hip. Sometimes it is preparation for a race. Sometimes someone simply wants to rest. And if quiet is part of that, she understands.

“I don’t usually talk during massage unless people are talking to me,” she said.

Outside work, she enjoys nature walks, coffee with friends, and the library. She also loves getting to meet the babies of clients she saw during their prenatal massage sessions. “I get to just be a part of their journey,” she said.

That enthusiasm stayed with me after our conversation. It’s refreshing to meet someone who has found work that gives them energy, while also giving others a welcome break. “I feel fueled by it,” she said. “I enjoy doing it.”

If you’ve been meaning to make a little time for yourself, there’s someone in downtown Dover who would be glad to help. And if you fall asleep? She’ll take that as a compliment.

Halloween Spirit Can Be Good for the Team

With Halloween right around the corner, this week seemed like a good time to talk about something a little lighter: having fun at work. Small businesses work hard, and so do their employees. Finding occasional opportunities to break up the routine and celebrate together can help build camaraderie and make the workplace a place people genuinely enjoy being part of. Halloween happens to offer plenty of easy ways to do that.

Encourage employees to dress up (when appropriate for the workplace), hold a friendly costume or decorating contest, bring in some seasonal treats, create a team pumpkin, or let employees help decorate the business. If you’re participating in a community Halloween event, involve your staff in planning how your business will take part. The important thing is to keep participation optional and inclusive. Not everyone enjoys dressing up or celebrating holidays in the same way, and employees shouldn’t feel pressured to participate. The goal is simply to create an opportunity to have a little fun together.

Try This: Ask your employees, “What would be fun to do together for Halloween?” Give them a small budget, or challenge them to come up with something that costs almost nothing, and let them take the lead. Sometimes the best team-building doesn’t look like team-building at all.

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 Halloween-related shopping — costumes, candy, decorations — have you done or plan to do locally?

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 the biggest reason you'd choose a locally-owned business over a national chain for the same product or service? Responses included, keeping money locally to help local business owners thrive, and knowing and trusting the people in the community.

Election Day in Dover: Everything You Need to Know Before You Vote on Nov. 3

In the latest episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with City Clerk/Tax Collector Jerrica Vansylyvong-Bizier about the Nov. 3 general election.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Business Event Happenings 

Halloween Crystal Show, Earth Harmony Wellness, Oct. 31-Nov., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Immigrants Park, near 6 School St. Celebrate Halloween weekend with Earth Harmony Wellness and geologist Jerry Marchand at the final outdoor crystal show of the season! Browse unique crystals, minerals, and unusual specimens, enter a raffle with any purchase, and come dressed in costume to receive a free gift.

Halloween Party, Wing-itz Axe & Tap, Oct. 31, 7 to 11 p.m. 

256 Central Ave. Get ready for a spooky night of music, drinks, and Halloween fun at Wing-Itz Axe & Tap! Enjoy a live DJ, witchy cocktails, promotional giveaways, and a UNH cooler raffle. Come dressed to impress for costume contests featuring prizes for Best Costume, Most Creative Costume, and Best Couples Costume.

Halloween Dance Party, CARA at Chameleon, Oct. 31, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

11 Fourth St. Dance the night away at this Halloween celebration featuring DJ Millzy spinning spooky tunes and Nickie Fuller as MC. Dress in your best costume for a chance to win prizes and giveaways while enjoying a festive late-night party in downtown Dover. No cover charge.

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!