The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) announces the creation of the Division of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). The reorganization, incorporating the Office of Planning and Development (OPD), Office of Broadband Infrastructure, InvestNH and Housing Champions programs, will enable more integration, providing better overall value to its partners, and enhance the efficiency of administration of those initiatives and programs.
“Our interface with local governments has grown significantly since the addition of OPD, and this reorganization allows us to take advantage of that role and improve the value we can bring to communities seeking to plan for and grow their local economies,” said BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell. “As BEA has taken on more responsibility in statutory authority, program administration, and resource management, this new division will better align the activities within our agency, and ultimately provide greater value for all our partners.”
Heather Shank, currently OPD’s senior planner, will step into the role of director of DPCD. With extensive local and national planning experience, including her recent tenure as the city planner for the City of Concord, Shank brings a record of effective leadership and success. Her new role will start on Sept. 6.
“BEA has been doing fantastic work to improve housing and economic outcomes across the state,” Shank said. “I look forward to building on collaborative efforts and furthering the economic and community development goals of New Hampshire communities.”