EXETER—
A drive down the Swasey Parkway in Exeter reveals sprawling farmland that gives way to Revolutionary War-era buildings and a downtown bandstand decked out in tri-colored flags. It’s clear at a glimpse that Exeter is a city that takes pride in its history and natural beauty, so it’s not surprising that Exeter is also just one New Hampshire city helping to lead the way to an independent, sustainable future.
According to a study by the Brookings Institution released this past June, New Hampshire has the fastest growing green economy in New England, with an average 5.3% increase in green jobs from 2003 through 2010. In fact, green job growth outpaces overall job growth in New Hampshire, which is already second in the nation at 1.4%. The southern counties of Merrimack, Hillsborough and Exeter’s own Rockingham, are the epicenter of this trend and provide most of the state’s green jobs.
Alternative energy companies represent the largest sector of the green economy anywhere, but especially in New Hampshire. ReVision Energy, which has locations in Portland and Liberty, ME as well as Dover, has been installing solar energy systems since 2003. This past July, they opened a new location in Exeter.
“Alternative energy is becoming a viable option for more people, and New Hampshire residents have always been independence-minded,” says Fred Greenhalgh of ReVision Energy. “We do business across the breadth of the state. Exeter is not only centrally located, but seems to embody that independent attitude. We knew we’d be welcome here.”
ReVision Energy is a part of the Green Alliance, a Portsmouth-based organization that strives to make owning a green business easier through activism, outreach, and discounts. This summer, three other Green Alliance businesses—Acorn Organic Salon, Zev Yoga, and eZee Bikes—decided to put down roots in Exeter as well.
Acorn Organic Salon started clipping and coloring without toxic chemicals in Dover, in 2008. Their Exeter shop is their second location, and so far they’ve seen a great reception from the town. Hair salons have largely skipped the trend of going green, so owners Laura MacKay and Allison Degan saw the opportunity to show people that style shouldn’t come at the cost of putting the toxic chemicals found in dyes and fragrances into their bodies.
Jonas Amberger, who founded Zev Yoga in Portsmouth in 2006, also sees the intimate connection between going green and physical health. After practicing in Portsmouth for five years, he opened a second studio in Exeter this past August.
“As we care for ourselves we care for nature,” says Amberger. “As we take accountability for our lives we will see how to be more in harmony with our environment.”
Perhaps nobody understands that sentiment better than Tom Hemenway. After learning he had developed diabetes several years ago, he took up bike riding to get his body back on the right path. When he saw a commercial for the eZee bicycle with an electric motor that could be switched on for a boost of up to 20 mph, he knew it was the perfect product for people who wanted to get in shape or get to work without getting frustrated by steep hills and/or intimidated by their fitness level. Since then, Hemenway and his wife, Teresa, have become the exclusive New Hampshire distributors of the eZee Electric Bike as well as some of the first entrepreneurs to introduce the product to the United States.
To Michael Schidlovsky, the President of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce, it makes perfect sense that green business would spring up in Exeter.
“Certainly green businesses take more capital to start, but it’s not just about the money,” says Schidlovsky. “It’s about understanding how things affect each other, how they’re interconnected, and that comes with an educated population. Here we have Phillips Exeter Academy and UNH just up the road. Look at Exeter High School—they just installed one of the largest photovoltaic farms in the state.” Indeed, another Green Alliance Partnering Business provided the installation for Exeter High’s new system; Revolution Energy is a cutting edge renewable energy systems purveyor based in Dover and Portsmouth.
When one green business opens, it becomes an example for other responsible businesses to follow. The fact that companies like ReVision Energy, Acorn Organic Salon, Zev Yoga and eZee Bikes—as well as the Green Alliance—choose to go the extra mile helps to assure other that it’s possible to go green while still making money.
“The way I see it, Exeter is a network of towns,” says Schidlovsky. “But certain areas have more gravity, and I think Exeter is the center of gravity here. People who understand the benefits of doing things in a green fashion and have the wherewithal to make the upfront investment are attracted to Exeter; simply put we have a community that will support these sustainable entrepreneurs.”
This article was submitted by Andrew Tiebout.
A drive down the Swasey Parkway in Exeter reveals sprawling farmland that gives way to Revolutionary War-era buildings and a downtown bandstand decked out in tri-colored flags. It’s clear at a glimpse that Exeter is a city that takes pride in its history and natural beauty, so it’s not surprising that Exeter is also just one New Hampshire city helping to lead the way to an independent, sustainable future.
According to a study by the Brookings Institution released this past June, New Hampshire has the fastest growing green economy in New England, with an average 5.3% increase in green jobs from 2003 through 2010. In fact, green job growth outpaces overall job growth in New Hampshire, which is already second in the nation at 1.4%. The southern counties of Merrimack, Hillsborough and Exeter’s own Rockingham, are the epicenter of this trend and provide most of the state’s green jobs.
Alternative energy companies represent the largest sector of the green economy anywhere, but especially in New Hampshire. ReVision Energy, which has locations in Portland and Liberty, ME as well as Dover, has been installing solar energy systems since 2003. This past July, they opened a new location in Exeter.
“Alternative energy is becoming a viable option for more people, and New Hampshire residents have always been independence-minded,” says Fred Greenhalgh of ReVision Energy. “We do business across the breadth of the state. Exeter is not only centrally located, but seems to embody that independent attitude. We knew we’d be welcome here.”
ReVision Energy is a part of the Green Alliance, a Portsmouth-based organization that strives to make owning a green business easier through activism, outreach, and discounts. This summer, three other Green Alliance businesses—Acorn Organic Salon, Zev Yoga, and eZee Bikes—decided to put down roots in Exeter as well.
Acorn Organic Salon started clipping and coloring without toxic chemicals in Dover, in 2008. Their Exeter shop is their second location, and so far they’ve seen a great reception from the town. Hair salons have largely skipped the trend of going green, so owners Laura MacKay and Allison Degan saw the opportunity to show people that style shouldn’t come at the cost of putting the toxic chemicals found in dyes and fragrances into their bodies.
Jonas Amberger, who founded Zev Yoga in Portsmouth in 2006, also sees the intimate connection between going green and physical health. After practicing in Portsmouth for five years, he opened a second studio in Exeter this past August.
“As we care for ourselves we care for nature,” says Amberger. “As we take accountability for our lives we will see how to be more in harmony with our environment.”
Perhaps nobody understands that sentiment better than Tom Hemenway. After learning he had developed diabetes several years ago, he took up bike riding to get his body back on the right path. When he saw a commercial for the eZee bicycle with an electric motor that could be switched on for a boost of up to 20 mph, he knew it was the perfect product for people who wanted to get in shape or get to work without getting frustrated by steep hills and/or intimidated by their fitness level. Since then, Hemenway and his wife, Teresa, have become the exclusive New Hampshire distributors of the eZee Electric Bike as well as some of the first entrepreneurs to introduce the product to the United States.
To Michael Schidlovsky, the President of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce, it makes perfect sense that green business would spring up in Exeter.
“Certainly green businesses take more capital to start, but it’s not just about the money,” says Schidlovsky. “It’s about understanding how things affect each other, how they’re interconnected, and that comes with an educated population. Here we have Phillips Exeter Academy and UNH just up the road. Look at Exeter High School—they just installed one of the largest photovoltaic farms in the state.” Indeed, another Green Alliance Partnering Business provided the installation for Exeter High’s new system; Revolution Energy is a cutting edge renewable energy systems purveyor based in Dover and Portsmouth.
When one green business opens, it becomes an example for other responsible businesses to follow. The fact that companies like ReVision Energy, Acorn Organic Salon, Zev Yoga and eZee Bikes—as well as the Green Alliance—choose to go the extra mile helps to assure other that it’s possible to go green while still making money.
“The way I see it, Exeter is a network of towns,” says Schidlovsky. “But certain areas have more gravity, and I think Exeter is the center of gravity here. People who understand the benefits of doing things in a green fashion and have the wherewithal to make the upfront investment are attracted to Exeter; simply put we have a community that will support these sustainable entrepreneurs.”
This article was submitted by Andrew Tiebout.
