The Windham Economic Development Committee (WEDC), was originally formed in 2007 as a subcommittee of the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce. In April of 2010, the Board of Selectmen established the EDC as a Town Committee that they may better assist, counsel, and advise the Citizens of Windham, the Board of Selectmen, other Town Boards and Departments, and Windham businesses, both existing and proposed, on the merits of Economic Development.

It is the mission of the Economic Development Committee to enhance the vitality of the local economy by supporting existing business and attracting new businesses to Windham, encouraging economic development consistent with the Windham Master Plan, and promoting the spirit of the Town Motto: Old Values, New Horizons.

You may learn more about the EDC's goals toward attaining this mission within their Committee Rules and the 2016 adopted Strategic Plan.

WEDC Committee Members

The Committee is comprised of eleven (11) members. Eight (8) of these members, as appointed by the Board of Selectmen, are either Town residents or are involved in the Windham business community. The remaining three (3) are Ex-Officio members of the current Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, and Chamber of Commerce, who are appointed annually by their respective Boards.

Committee Members (Terms):

• Ed Gallagher, Chair (06/30/17)
• Gary Garfield, Vice Chair (06/30/18)
• Lisa Walker, Secretary (06/30/19)
• Dom Feroce (06/30/2019)
• George Fredette (06/30/2019)
• Robert Higgins (06/30/18)
• Melissa Magnuson (06/30/2018)
• Michael Oldenburg (06/30/17)
• Bruce Richardson  (06/30/18)
• Donna Morris, Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce Member
• Ruth-Ellen Post, Planning Board Member
• Joel Desilets, Board of Selectmen Member
• Jennifer Simmons, Board of Selectmen Alternate Member

Those interested in volunteering their time as a member of the Committee are encouraged to contact the Town Administrator.  

Public Information/Education

The Communications Subcommittee has been supplying press releases on topics of interest to the business and residential community, which are available below:

2016

• Thank you for Supporting the Market Square Overlay District
• Greater Salem Chamber Votes to Endorses Market Square Zoning Amendment
• Lower Residential Taxes While Suporting Schools
• Run a Town Like Running a Business

2015 

• How Does Commercial Development Get Approved?
• Planning Board Warrant Article Could be Catalyst for More than $2.1 Million Income to Windham Annually
• Impact of New Commercial Development in Windham
• Lower Taxes with Increased Services
• Market Square Overlay District
• Planning Board Public Hearing September 9, 2015 & Map
• Video on Market Square
• A Walkable Downtown in Windham: The 5 W's
• Market Square Overlay District Factsheet
• Power point presentation by WEDC at Sept 9th meeting
• Pictures of what Market Square could be in Windham
• May 13th Press release Learn About Market Square
• Who are the members of the WEDC? Part 1 & Part 2
• What is the purpose of WEDC?

2014

• Water Study Article 21 Factsheet
• What is the scope of the proposed water study
• What is the Water Study All About
• Is the lack of Municipal water a deterrent?

2013

• Windham As Envisioned by Residents
• Tax Impact of Development
• Where Do Tax Revenues Come From?
• Are Current Regulations Encouraging Positive Economic Development?
• WEDC Proposes Water Supply Study
• Developing Commercial Tax Base Could Ease Burden on Residential Taxpayers
• Spreading the Tax Burden in Windham by Expanding the Taxpayer Base
• NH DES Identifies Windham Water Issues
• A Case Study for Why we need Municipal Water in Windham
• Windham Fire Chief Supports Municipal Water 
• Possible Sources of Municipal Water

REDC CEDS Program

The Town of Windham is part of the Regional Economic Development Center (REDC). A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is the result of a local planning process designed to guide the economic growth of a region. For more information, click here.