City of Manchester, NH Economic Development

There's nothing quite like June in New England.

This month has a handful of notable events that'll add a discernible increase in traffic, involve street closures, or might otherwise have you changing up your usual routine.

June 7th: Journey at the SNHU Arena
June 13th: MSD HS Graduations at the SNHU Arena
June 18th → 20th: Banana Ball series at Delta Dental Stadium
June 27th: Manchester Pride in Downtown Manchester

A heads up for today, May 28th!

Important road closure info for Thursday, ahead of the 2026 Taco Tour:

Heads Up, Manchester! Taco Tour is Thursday! 🌮

If you're planning to be downtown on Thursday, May 28, please be aware that Elm Street will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. between Lake Avenue and Bridge Street to allow for event setup, the Taco Tour itself, and cleanup afterward.

VEHICLES THAT REMAIN ON ELM ST WILL BE TOWED.

The Taco Tour runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Elm Street and is expected to draw large crowds to the downtown area.

Motorists should plan ahead, expect traffic delays, and use alternate routes whenever possible. Please follow posted detours and directions from officers working in the area.

Motorists should plan ahead, expect traffic delays, and use alternate routes whenever possible. Please follow the posted detours and directions from officers working in the area.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Manchester Water Works (MWW) will begin a planned six-week hydrant flushing program and chlorine conversion system-wide throughout our five-hundred (500) plus miles of water mains within the MWW water distribution system.

The flushing program will be conducted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, in order to minimize inconvenience to customers. Mark Bourque, Deputy Director, Distribution indicates that this annual program is to help improve water quality.
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With questions regarding the chlorine conversion, please call (603) 792-2855: flushing program, (603) 792-2807, or see the post from City of Manchester, NH Water Works.

We spy some local Manchester businesses! 👀
Congratulations to Boards & Brews, The Hop Knot Manchester NH, and To Share Brewing Company!

🎉 Big news! 🎉

In partnership with American Express®, we are thrilled to announce more than 500 recipients of the Amex Shop Small® Grants Program, awarding over $10 million in funding to small businesses across the country. Each recipient has received a $20,000 grant to help them grow, innovate, and support their local communities.

Meet the grant recipients here: https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/more-than-500-small-business-owners-awarded-20-000-amex-shop-small-grants

This crew has been BUSY! Thank you for all you do!

Have everyone thinking you're a jean-ius with this fact when you're catching up with friends and family.

Make sure to wish your blue jeans a happy 153rd birthday today! Did you know that the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company supplied all of the XX denim used for Levi's 501 until 1915?

Levi Strauss, born on February 26, 1829 in Buttenheim, Germany as Loeb Strauss immigrated to the United States as a teenager in 1847. In 1850, he changed his name, and became an American citizen in 1853. When the California Golod Rush began, he moved west and opened a branch of the family dry goods business in San Francisco in March of 1853. He opened his dry goods wholesale business as Levi Strauss & Co. and sold clothing, bedding, combs, purses, handkerchiefs and bolts of fabric delivered from his brothers in New York.

One of his customers was Jacob W. Davis, a tailor from Reno, Nevada. Strauss recieved a letter from Davis in 1872, with information about the new way he was making pants from duck and denim. Davis also incroporated copper rivets to make them stronger. He wanted to patent the idea, but did not have enough money for the application. Davis asked Strauss to become his business partner, and on May 20, 1873 the full U.S. Patent no. 139121 was granted in the name of Jacob W. Davis and Levi Strauss and Company.

Learn the essential concepts creatives need to monetize your creative work while staying true to your creative vision with the NH SBDC. This supportive and approachable session will be led by fellow creative entrepreneurs and business advisors.

For more information, or to register, visit: https://ic.nhsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=5460047

🎨 Turn Your Hobby into a Business 🎶🛠️
Have you ever thought about turning your creative passion into a source of income? Join NH SBDC at MakeIt Labs in Nashua for a beginner-friendly workshop designed for artists, makers, and other creatives ready to explore the business side of their craft.
📅 June 11
⏰ 4:30 PM–6:30 PM
📍 MakeIt Labs, Nashua
Learn the essential concepts creatives need to monetize their work while staying true to their creative vision. This supportive and approachable session will be led by fellow creative entrepreneurs and business advisors.
🎤 Speakers: John Clemente & Andrea O'Brien
🤝 Co-Sponsored by MakeIt Labs
REGISTER: https://ic.nhsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=5460047

America's SBDC, NH Economy, U.S. Small Business Administration, UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics

The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched the Patriot Pitch Competition: a national opportunity for entrepreneurs to compete for a share of a $1 MILLION cash prize.
For more details, see NH Small Business Development Center or visit: https://www.sba.gov/freedom250

The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched the 🇺🇸 Patriot Pitch Competition 🇺🇸, a national opportunity for entrepreneurs to compete for a share of a 💰 $1 MILLION cash prize pool 💰 sponsored by Clover.

This competition celebrates the small businesses driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening America’s economy. Finalists will pitch live in Washington, D.C. this September before a national audience.

✅ Open to eligible small businesses that have used qualifying SBA capital products
📅 Applications are due June 10

If your business is ready to showcase its innovation, resilience, and growth potential, this could be your moment!

Learn more and apply: https://www.sba.gov/freedom250
U.S. Small Business Administration, America's SBDC, NH Economy, UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics

The Manchester Arts Commission invites artists and graphic designers to submit original poster designs celebrating two historic milestones in 2026: the City of Manchester’s 180th anniversary and the United States’ 250th anniversary.

This is a unique opportunity to capture the spirit, history, and future of Manchester through bold and creative visual storytelling. We encourage submissions that reflect civic pride, cultural vibrancy, as well as the community’s connection to both local and national history.

Join us in commemorating Manchester’s past, present, and future through art.
Submission Details:
•Open to all artists and graphic designers
•Original artwork only
•Designs should be suitable for high-quality print reproduction
•Artists may submit more than one design

Selection Process:
Winning designs will be selected by the Manchester Arts Commission in June 2026.
Submissions are due by Sunday, May 31st.

Awards & Recognition:
Selected posters will be professionally printed and sold in limited quantities. Proceeds from poster sales will directly support the ongoing work and public art initiatives of the Manchester Arts Commission.
Winning artist will receive $250, runner-up to receive $180, both will have their work featured as part of the City’s official celebration of these milestone anniversaries.

How to Submit:
To ensure the highest quality for professional printing and reproduction, all submissions must meet the following specifications:
•Dimensions: Standard Lithograph size (18" x 24").
•Format: Digital files must be Vector (.AI, .EPS, .PDF) or High-Resolution Raster (.TIFF, .JPEG, .PSD).
•Resolution: Raster images must be at least 300 DPI at full size.
•Color Profile: All digital art must be submitted using the CMYK color palette to ensure print accuracy.
•Traditional Media: Physical paintings or drawings must be digitized (scanned or photographed) at high resolution. The artist is responsible for providing a clean, high-quality digital file of the physical work.

Please send work to [email protected] and include your name and contact information.

Submission Details:
The call is open to all artists and graphic designers. Only original, unpublished artwork will be accepted, and artists may submit more than one design.

By submitting, artists grant the Manchester Arts Commission the right to reproduce the artwork for promotional and fundraising purposes related to the 2026 anniversaries.