Four Issues that jay has made a priority during his tenure as mayor

Housing

It will take a variety of strategies to meet the housing needs for people in Keene and surrounding towns. By identifying opportunities for urban infill projects and for the redevelopment of underutilized private, city, and state-owned properties, the City has authorized around 200 new housing units. Our updated zoning and land use changes have earned Keene recognition as a New Hampshire Housing Champion. In Concord, Mayor Kahn advocated for Keene’s interests, from protecting Meals & Rooms revenue sharing to securing funding for homelessness services. Jay has brought our housing needs to the State House and been appointed to the New Hampshire Housing Stabilization Committee.

Workforce

The Chamber’s theme of “within thriving distance” is designed to attract people to the Monadnock region. The city needs to become part of that effort, attracting more students to area colleges, making sure students have internships locally and encouraging young people to make their lives here. Jay leads the Keene Area Manufacturing Council and introduced federal and state officials to our city’s manufacturing businesses. Jay has promoted our healthcare and education sectors across New Hampshire and New England, while working with the New Hampshire legislature to stop downshifting expenses to local taxpayers.

Infrastructure

The heart of Keene is its downtown. Its vibrance draws the community together daily as well as for festivals. A walkable and livable downtown requires commercial and retail stores and services. The city needs an infrastructure that accommodates economic vitality and additional housing downtown. The city needs to be prepared to partner with developers to create multi-use parking-storefront-apartment development in the city’s center.

Community Engagement

The pride of place exhibited in Keene is part of its historic and geographic position as the hub of New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region. Jay has sought to create new opportunities for civic engagement in Keene, through establishing the Keene High School Mayor’s Youth Council, teaching a Keene State CALL course on local government, and inviting community involvement in shaping our Comprehensive Master Plan. We’ve celebrated Keene’s people and organizations through council recognitions, mayoral proclamations, and planning for our nation’s 250th Independence Day celebration.