FYI, regarding the air service comments above:
MHT (Manchester, New Hampshire) does have a significant amount of air service. In my air service report I ranked Boise #1 and Manchester #2 for airports in state but it's a tough call between the two of them. Both offer a range of mainline jet, regional jet, and turboprop service. I gave the nod to Boise simply because of the fact there are two additional low-fare carriers there v.s. Manchester (Frontier and America West). Otherwise, Manchester is a great choice for air service.
V-
Yes, Boise and Manchester both offer excellent airports. NH and ID are both excellent states for the FSP, with both having vibrant, entrepreneurial economies--and WY offers a great place for a Free County Project.
Many people may not be aware how much the
Manchester airport improved since it underwent a major terminal, ramp and hanger expansion in 1999. State-of-the-art technology was incorporated, including audio communication systems with optimized acoustics, airport visual paging systems, emergency notification fire alarm systems, and an efficient baggage-claim area designed to minimize hassles. The airport also offers easy road access and plenty of affordable parking. There are nearby hotels that offer state-of-the-art conference rooms and shuttle buses to and from the airport.
A fly-over or drive-by of Manchester’s old-fashioned-looking mill buildings does not do the city justice, for it has
industrial parks with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Also, nearby Bedford, NH is home to inventor
Dean Camen’s assembly plant and company HQ. Camen is the world-famous inventor of the Segway and the stair-climbing I-bot wheelchair. After doing extensive research and site exploration, Camen chose the Manchester area over anywhere else in the U.S. to situate his innovative company. Greater Manchester is developing into a world-class small city with a high-tech entrepreneurial spirit.
Despite the national economic slowdown,
venture capitalists invested
$40 billion during a recent 12 month period (ended in 2002) in entrepreneurial businesses. And that’s DOWN 10-15% from 2001! NH has not seen the sharp decline in business funding that other MSA’s in the country have experienced. The diverse economic base has helped NH weather the storm.
Also, the brand-new,
state-of-the-art Verizon Wireless Arena in downtown Manchester offers minor-league hockey, arena football, concerts, circuses, Boston Celtics and Bruins pre-season games, and a host of other events. In only its first year of operation,
the arena added $43 million in new direct, indirect and induced spending to the Manchester economy.


There is even a
state-of-the-art recording studio in Derry, NH, the owner of which holds patents in the development of stereo television transmission and reception.
Are you getting the sense that NH is a state-of-the-art state yet?
