9.11.2026 Economic Development Commission

The City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Economic Development Commission held a meeting on September 11, 2026, focusing on several procurement and economic development initiatives. Key procurement-related discussions included the upcoming Congress Street sidewalk renovations starting in October, with work to widen sidewalks and reduce lanes, and the release of an RFP for public art murals inside the Hanover Garage, funded through the city's percent-for-art program. The commission also discussed ongoing efforts to benchmark Portsmouth against similar cities to identify economic development solutions, and the Chamber of Commerce's childcare consultant RFP, with proposals due in mid-September. Additionally, the commission reviewed updates on tourism data analytics and the imminent launch of a redesigned city website featuring integrated booking and AI itinerary tools. The meeting included motions to approve prior minutes and plans to engage city council and other stakeholders to better communicate the commission's role and services. No formal votes on contracts were recorded, but several action items related to procurement and vendor engagement were outlined.