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

Behind the Desk

by James Burdin

Business Development Coordinator

This week I want to talk about one of the more controversial topics in economic development: incentives. I’ve seen a lot of different criticisms of incentive programs in my career, some more justified than others. Here’s a quick overview of how incentives fit into Dover’s overall business and economic development strategy.

First, the economic reality check: New Hampshire can’t compete with other states on incentive programs. I started my economic development career at Ohio’s Department of Development, auditing creation tax credits worth millions of dollars that was designed to encourage out-of-state businesses to invest in facilities that could employ hundreds of people. Many states have similarly lucrative programs. If a business could locate anywhere and its top priority is the biggest incentive package, they won’t be considering New Hampshire.

If that sounds like a criticism of our state, it’s not. Here’s the thing: government tax credits aren’t the only incentives businesses care about. New Hampshire’s approach has been to lower the overall tax liability for all businesses rather than build a portfolio of programs that only benefit a few major employers. This creates a better ecosystem for all businesses to succeed.

We can also offer something really special that larger states can’t: relationships. They can’t match New Hampshire when it comes to the access residents and businesses have to state agencies, local department heads, and elected officials. In my experience, people in these roles aren’t just willing to take your call; they’re interested in finding a way to solve your problem.

These two strategies — a strong business climate and relationships — are the core of Dover’s business development approach. We’re willing to discuss an incentive or a partnership in the right context, but we want to build the relationship first, so we can work directly with the business owner to solve their problems and use the right tool for the job.

Next week I’ll go into more detail about one of those tools — Dover’s Economic Revitalization Zones.

Getting to Know Jonathan Pacheco of Avanza Behavioral Consulting

By Reid Bickley

Business Development Specialist

Jonathan Pacheco moved to Dover from the Nashua area this spring while working remotely. He was getting to know his new community when a change in his job prompted him to pursue an idea he had been considering for some time: starting his own business. That idea became Avanza Behavioral Consulting.

I met Jonathan a couple of weeks ago to learn about his new business. We ended up talking just as much about families, schools, and community spaces as we did about business. He is new to Dover and wants to get to know the people and organizations here. He had already begun reaching out to local programs to ask how he might help make their events easier for families to navigate.

His interest in behavioral work began at UMass Lowell. He was studying biology when a psychology class led him in a new direction. His first job as a behavior technician brought him into early intervention, working with young children. He remembers how meaningful it was when one of the children he supported said their first words.

Since then, he has worked with children in homes, clinics, and schools, including a classroom serving students with autism. He has also worked in adult services. That range of experience is reflected in Avanza’s services.

Jonathan works with individuals and families on concerns such as communication, routines, transitions, challenging behaviors, and building skills for greater independence. He can also support adults with daily living skills, community participation, and other personal goals.

One part of our conversation has stayed with me. Jonathan talked about parents whose child has recently received an autism diagnosis and who are waiting for ongoing applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. While they wait, everyday questions keep coming: How can we make a difficult transition easier? What should we try when a routine is not working? How can we help our child communicate what they need? Jonathan offers parent and caregiver consultations to work through concerns like these and find strategies that fit the family’s life.

He also works with schools and educational teams on behavioral assessments, support plans, classroom consultation, staff training, and team support. Organizations and community programs can seek help developing practical approaches for their own settings. Support can be a single consultation or assessment, or it can continue over time. He also happens to speak Spanish and hopes that will help him serve more families.

Jonathan was thoughtful and easy to talk with, and he clearly cares about the people he works with. He is also an avid runner and a foodie. We laughed as he told me about some of the Dover restaurants he has already tried, and I shared a few of my favorites for his list. As he settles in, I hope families, educators, and local organizations will have a chance to get to know him. His website is still being developed, but anyone wondering whether Avanza might be able to help can email him at info@avanzabehavioralconsulting.com.

If you want a chance to see him in action, sign-up for his free parent training webinar, "Why Does My Child Do That? Understanding the Why Behind Behavior." It's on Monday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m.

Welcome to Dover, Jonathan! 

Seasonal Training for the Holidays

While some of us may not be quite ready for the holiday displays that are already popping up, it’s a good reminder for business owners that the busy holiday season will be here before we know it. For businesses that rely on seasonal employees, now is the time to prepare. Waiting until the holiday rush begins to train new staff can mean stressed managers, overwhelmed employees, and inconsistent customer service.

Seasonal employees don’t need to know every detail of your business on day one. Focus first on what they’ll need most: customer-service expectations, point-of-sale procedures, common questions, returns or exchanges, safety practices, and who to ask when they don’t know the answer. Consider pairing seasonal hires with experienced employees for their first few shifts. A simple written checklist or quick-reference guide can also reduce repeated questions and give new employees something to rely on when things get busy. Also good to note, a great seasonal employee could become a year-round team member, or someone you welcome back year after year.

Try This: Think about the five questions a new employee is most likely to ask during your busiest holiday week. Write down the answers and turn them into a one-page seasonal employee cheat sheet. A little preparation in October can prevent a lot of headaches during the holiday rush.

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's the biggest reason you'd choose a locally-owned business over a national chain for the same product or service?

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.

A Home for Everyone: Inside the Dover Housing Authority

In the latest episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dian Maruca, executive director of the Dover Housing Authority, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits and social service agencies. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at bit.ly/doverdownload.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

City Updates Food Service Requirements

The City of Dover recently made changes to the license requirements for food service businesses under Chapter 85 of the Dover City Code. These amendments were adopted to align local regulations with state food safety requirements and improve clarity around licensing procedures.

Changes include adoption of the U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code, which requires at least one certified food protection manager on the premises during all hours of operation. Also, applications for new health licenses must be submitted at least 30 days before opening; renewal applications must be submitted 30 days before the expiration of the existing license.

All City of Dover health licenses expire annually on May 31. The full list of changes is available on the Inspection Services page of the city website.

The new provisions are now in effect. Inspection Services staff will work collaboratively with food service businesses to explain the new requirements and identify ways to transition their businesses as necessary in order to comply with the changes.

Questions? Contact Lauren Veno at healthofficer@dover.nh.gov or 603-516-6036. 

Business Event Happenings 

20th Annual Dover Zombie Walk, Oct. 24, 3 to 4 p.m.

Starts at Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, 550 Central Ave., and ends at Henry Law Park. Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce. Zombies take over downtown for the 20th Annual Dover Zombie Walk sponsored by Dover Main Street. Meet at the Chamber before the undead procession heads toward Henry Law Park at 3 p.m. Stick around downtown afterward for more Halloween fun, including the Woodman Museum’s Trunk or Treat and Dover Pumpkin Stroll.

Flashlight Corn Maze, Tendercrop Farm, Oct. 24, 4 to 9 p.m. 

123 Dover Point Road. Grab a flashlight and take on Tendercrop Farm’s corn maze after dark! The evening also includes brick-oven pizza, draft beer, kid-friendly “scary” movies, and plenty of fall fun around the farm. Admission is $10; children 12 and under are free.

Dover’s Inaugural Annual Pumpkin Stroll, Oct. 24, 5 to 8 p.m.

Downtown Dover. Downtown Dover will glow with community-carved jack-o’-lanterns during the inaugural Dover Pumpkin Stroll, presented by Profile Bank and organized by Communitively through Discover Dover NH. Stroll through the Riverwalk gardens for pumpkins, decorative lighting, music, seasonal displays, and family fun, then visit downtown businesses and Waldron Court for even more pumpkin displays. Free to attend. Rain date: October 31.

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!