Ashland Selectmen Direct Staff to Pursue Federal Opportunity Zone for Mill Area

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of June 15, 2026

Ashland selectmen move to pursue federal opportunity zone designation for the mill area. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Monday to deny vendor permits amid complaints and to accept updated rules and procedures for the Ashland Economic Development Committee, while reaching consensus to begin a competitive application for one of New Hampshire's 25 federal opportunity zone slots, a designation that would allow investors to defer capital gains taxes on development within a defined parcel boundary near the town-owned mill site. An outside adviser identified only as Vino told the board the governor's office would likely want a finalized case by September 2026, warning that "the question is, do we have a plan and can we convince enough people that we have our act together." The board also authorized Selectman Steve Felton to begin researching impact fees with Planning Board member John Havill, tabled a draft credit card policy pending a personnel policy review, and approved an intent to cut over one million board feet of timber at 104 Sanborn Road.

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Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of June 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.