Editor’s note: This is part one in a series on economic development in Bedford. Next week: How the airport will transform South River Road near Merrimack.

Officials and the public got a lesson on Economic Development 101, hearing from a series of speakers about the conditions and policies conducive to business growth, which is seen as a way of spreading the property tax burden.

More than 60 elected officials, developers, real estate agents and residents turned out for the first-ever Economic Development Roundtable at Lurgio Middle School on Saturday morning, Sept. 13.

Mike Izbicki, the Town Council chairman, said the event reflected a town effort to focus on economic development. The town currently does not have an employee or organization dedicated to that purpose.

“We need to explore how we’re going to handle economic development,” Izbicki said. “Do we go out, do we set up a committee made up of elected officials and citizens and town officials? Do we hire an economic developer, part-time, full-time?”

Town councilors said the roundtable was successful in getting feedback and opinions from a broad range of people — from developers and real estate officials to residents and school district officials.

Town Councilor Bob Young said there is a broad consensus that the community needs a point person for economic development, marketing Bedford on the town Web site and doing other things to attract business.

“Was it desirable to do this?” Young said. “And I think it was overwhelmingly stated (Sept. 13), both in this attendance and the people standing up, at least of the section of town that seems to be interested in development, that yes ... all those things are really necessary as Bedford heads to its final buildout phase.”

At the end of the roundtable, attendees broke out into smaller groups to brainstorm on a series of questions about economic development. One small group thought the town could provide the initial funding for an economic development department, which would eventually be paid for by the private sector.

The group, who was represented by Chris Riley, a Planning Board alternate, said the department director would be chosen by an eight to 10-person board, split between town employees or appointees and citizens, developers and business owners. Such diversified membership, he said, would ensure the director was not “at the mercy” of either the town or the business community.

Another group thought the work should be outsourced to a consultant while some others thought an economic development coordinator should be hired. Several groups also thought Bedford should find an identity so that it is known outside of its borders, much like Exeter, Keene, Peterborough and Portsmouth. Resident Karen Grimmett said that could be done with village-like shopping areas that become a destination where people congregate.

“I think you can create an identity by creating your sense of place,” she said.

Several speakers from the local, regional and state level appeared at the roundtable.

Recalling the days when he was in the private sector running a high-end furniture manufacturing company, Gov. John Lynch told town officials to remember that the bottom line dictates business decisions. Businesses ultimately will come to Bedford if they think their costs will be less than sales, he said. Lynch said Bedford has a big advantage – location.

“You all are situated in such a great location. You know, we talk about the importance of location,” Lynch said. “Bedford has a great location. You are right next to one of the finest airports in the country and that proximity to Manchester Boston Regional Airport is so critical to businesses.”

The meeting heard from a representative of the airport itself, Deputy Director Brian O’Neill, who said authorities are planning to expand the terminal, add a parking garage or more surface parking, and move rental car companies to an expanded area.

O’Neill said the airport gives the Granite State a foothold on the global marketplace, noting that the percentage of passengers coming from out of the four northern New England states has gone up from 33 to 44 percent since 2006.

He estimates that the airport contributes $1 billion a year to the New Hampshire economy, increasing to $1.5 billion annually by 2015. Those estimates, he added, do not include indirect benefits, such as hotels, convention centers and businesses that move into the area because of the airport.

Department of Transportation Commissioner George Campbell sounded a similar theme. In addition to returning passenger rail service, Campbell said the state has to use its lines for more commercial freight.

“Goods and how to move the system I think are the number one agenda for us because the purpose of transportation in New Hampshire is to support the economy,” he said.

In addition to several town officials, other speakers included David Preece, executive director of the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission, and Stephen Heavener, who holds a similar post for the Capital Regional Development Council.