New Access Road Enhances Business Opportunities in Winchester

This new 2,100-foot access road leads directly to the Stone Mountain Business Park.

The introduction of Opportunity Drive marks a significant advancement for the local business community in Winchester, New Hampshire. This new 2,100-foot access road leads directly to the Stone Mountain Business Park and was officially revealed by the Winchester Economic Development Corp. on Friday. The corporation had previously completed the final 500-foot stretch of the road last November, opening up three additional multi-acre plots for potential business development.

Jessica Wright-Moore, the Executive Director of the development corporation, noted that three businesses have already secured lots within the park. Efforts are ongoing to attract more enterprises, with the corporation promoting the available spaces through Boston business publications and reaching out to contacts in Montreal.

The transformation of the former 64-acre gravel pit into a business park has taken almost ten years, initiated when the Town of Winchester sold the land to the Winchester Economic Development Corp. for a nominal fee of one dollar in 2018. Established in 2010, this nonprofit organization is focused on fostering business growth and revitalizing the local economy.

In the initial phases, the development corporation acquired a federal grant to support the construction of Opportunity Drive along with vital water and sewage infrastructure. This funding totaled approximately $1.7 million. However, the escalating costs of construction during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a funding shortfall that left a 32-acre area of the business park without proper road access. Fortunately, in 2023, a further $800,000 in federal funds, secured by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, allowed for the completion of the final segment of Opportunity Drive.

The business park comprises eight lots, three of which are currently sold. Despite the completion of construction, Opportunity Drive is not yet open to traffic due to safety concerns regarding ATV users on the road. Wright-Moore explained that businesses moving into Stone Mountain must adhere to certain criteria, including a requirement to employ a minimum of 3.5 full-time workers per acre, aligning with the goal of promoting manufacturing jobs in the region.

Among the companies that have chosen to establish themselves in the business park is J & J Trailers and Truck Equipment. Following this, Pekarski's Sausage from Deerfield, Massachusetts, plans to begin construction on a new facility, aiming to finish within a year and a half. This facility will be USDA-approved, allowing the production and sale of various meat products, including sausage and poultry.

Pekarski, who decided on the Stone Mountain location after evaluating alternatives in Keene, Swanzey, and Hinsdale, believes constructing a new space rather than retrofitting an old building is the best approach. His facility, projected to be 5,000 to 6,000 square feet, will be modular, allowing for future expansion.

Looking ahead, Pekarski envisions establishing another retail outlet in either Keene or Winchester, emphasizing his intention to create a modern and high-quality facility.