The town of Bedford will host its first of four Leadership Forums on Wednesday, June 24, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., in the McAllaster Room, Bedford Library, hosted by the Economic Development Commission. This roundtable discussion is geared to the retailing community.

They are encouraging retail community leaders to attend. At this Retail Business Outreach Forum, the commission would like to hear from retail business owners, along with retail managers, on three main questions:

• How can an economic development function benefit your business?
• What are the most important issues that you currently face that an economic development function might be able to assist you with?
• How do you see the business climate in Bedford compared to other surrounding communities?

“The formation of the Bedford Economic Development Commission is helping us to realize that we are fortunate to have a number of projects moving forward in Bedford, but at the same time we also must recognize that we will compete, especially now, with many of our neighbors. These forums give us the opportunity to listen to businesses in town and gain a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses,” said Russ Marcoux, town manager and chairman of the BEDC. “At this same time, members of the commission will be doing business visitations to various businesses in Bedford for feedback.”

In addition to this retail forum, the commission will be holding three more: July 22 for the development community; Aug. 26 for the professional business community and the final one on Sept. 23 will be for Bedford residents.

The commission is also considering a community survey and is working on an overhaul to the town’s Web page, and the creation of an economic development link. Retail business leaders interested in attending on June 24 should contact the Town Offices at 472-5242 to preregister.

Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with refreshments available.

Anyone with questions about any of these events is encouraged to contact either Russ Marcoux, town manager, at 472-5242, ext. 300, or rmarcoux@ci.bedford.nh.us; or Rick Sawyer, planning director, at 472-5242, ext. 319, or rsawyer@ci.bedford.nh.us.