Why Manchester, NH, Is Best for Business
If you’re looking for the ideal place to launch or grow your business, Manchester, NH, has everything you need. The Queen City features a thriving economy with strong, steady growth across industries like biomanufacturing, creative commerce, hospitality, tourism, education, and technology. Beyond that, Manchester offers unique advantages: a supportive community, business resources, such as counseling and training programs, access to early-stage investors, low taxes and an affordable cost of living. Add these assets together, and it’s easy to see why more and more businesses are relocating to or expanding their footprint in the city.
“Manchester is the perfect location for us because it supports both our business growth and our team’s quality of life,” says Antonio D’Alelio, CEO of Lilly’s Fresh Pasta, a gourmet pasta company. “New Hampshire’s pro-business environment, tax advantages and overall affordability make it a strategic choice for expansion. The region’s strong community and vibrant quality of life are essential in attracting and retaining top talent. For us, it’s not just about the business, it’s about creating a space where our people thrive personally and professionally.”
Big Dreams to Big Business
The story behind Lilly’s Fresh Pasta can be traced to 1986 when D’Alelio’s mother, Lilly D’Alelio, the original pasta queen, moved to the U.S. from Italy with just $100 and a big dream. Her vision was simple yet powerful: She wanted to bring authentic, high-quality pasta to America.
“Her dedication to tradition and respect for quality set the foundation for what we do today,” D’Alelio says.
Years later, after outgrowing its current location in Everett, MA, Lilly’s Fresh Pasta is building a new facility in Manchester that is set to open in fall 2025.
“This new facility is a game-changer for us,” D’Alelio says. “It’s not just about scaling premium production; it’s about elevating every aspect of our business.”
The new Manchester, NH, plant will have 50 times the capacity of the business’ current setup, allowing D’Alelio and his team to meet growing regional and national demands while upholding the company’s high standards.
“The new facility is being built with employee growth in mind, offering opportunities for skill development, innovation and advancement within a culture that values both quality and personal growth,” D’Alelio says.
The decision to expand in Manchester, NH, was driven by the growing demand for the company’s fresh pasta and its dedication to serving its customers with even greater efficiency and quality.
“We recognized the opportunity to increase our capacity significantly and saw this as a way to innovate and push our standards even higher,” D’Alelio says. “The new facility also enables us to honor our commitment to sustainable growth, offering our employees a space to evolve professionally while reinforcing the culture of excellence that has defined us since day one.”
The Right Location
Recently, The Potato Concept, a family-owned business that serves up loaded baked potatoes in different varieties along with soups and salads, relocated to Manchester, NH, after having started in a commissary kitchen in the Derry, NH, area.
In 2022, the Manchester Economic Development Office began working with The Potato Concept, encouraging owners Lauren and Brandon Rainer to consider relocating to Manchester, which is growing and offers a vibrant downtown culture. When a downtown space became available, The Potato Concept chose to open its first store in Manchester in 2023.
“The Manchester Economic Development Office introduced a small-business grant opportunity to The Potato Concept after completing the application and working through the process with the city’s American Rescue Plan Act manager,” says Erik Lesniak, business liaison for the City of Manchester Economic Development Office. “They were successfully awarded the grant to support the growth of their business. Along with the Greater Manchester Chamber, we helped with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially welcome them and helped with some introductions to various resources throughout the state to help their business growth.”
Since first meeting the Rainers, the Manchester Economic Development Office has built a relationship with them by sitting down and learning their vision.
“We were immediately inspired by their plans and ambitions for future business success,” Lesniak says. “Since that initial meeting, we’ve stayed in regular contact, offering support and encouragement while keeping Lauren and Brandon updated on the positive changes happening in Manchester. We are truly grateful to Lauren and Brandon for choosing to invest in Manchester and for continuing to call the city home.”
This article was sponsored by the Manchester Economic Development Office.