Fisher Cats VP joins city’s business enhancement office
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Just a several months ago the City of Manchester’s Economic Enhancement Division experienced no workers. Now it’s welcoming its second one.
Lately, the city welcomed New Hampshire Fisher Cats Vice President of Organization Growth Erik Lesniak to become the new small business liaison for the Metropolis of Manchester’s Economic Development Division, signing up for new director Jodie Nazaka after her seek the services of as the department’s director.
Lesniak experienced labored for the Fisher Cats all through their total existence in New Hampshire, relocating up with the franchise from its prior quit in Connecticut. In excess of people several years, he satisfied hundreds of organization homeowners across New Hampshire, significantly in Manchester. Even while Lesniak’s previous task is comparable to his to where by he is now even even though it was situated in the amusement market somewhat than the community sector, Nazaka thinks the private connections Lesniak manufactured with the Fisher Cats make him a great in good shape for his new function, which in essence boils down to talking with local organization house owners and viewing what their enterprises will need to increase and prosper.
“I’ve recognised Eric by means of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and some of the occasions operate by the metropolis and when I read he was intrigued in the position, it was a no-brainer,” explained Nazaka.
“I signify, his relationship to the neighborhood, not only the general public itself, but the business enterprise group, is amazing. He was in a position to start on Day A person and strike the floor operating owing to people connections. He’s been an extra asset to this division and the total town,” she reported.
“This is a actually one of a kind chance to be straight concerned in the success of anything main like the metropolis alone and be on the forefront of constructing its vibrancy more than the next five or 10 yrs,” stated Lesniak.
However, Lesniak hasn’t achieved each and every single small business proprietor in the metropolis, some thing he wishes to rectify if possible.
“What genuinely excites me is that there are a large amount of great small business proprietors in the metropolis, with several I know and many I do not know, and there’s a wonderful opportunity to get out there and build even further interactions or establish new kinds out there,” he reported. “I consider it is exciting that I can just wander down the road on the East Facet or go to the West Facet or the South Side and go pay a visit to somewhere and say ‘Hey, how are you executing? Our business office is open up, here’s what we do, anything you will need, permit us know.’”
Nazaka explained herself and Lesniak as “walking billboards” for the city’s organization group while also serving to assistance local corporations navigate nearby, state and federal authorities demands and chances, with Lesniak now concentrating as the department’s “boots on the ground” even though Nazaka focuses on increased-stage strategy.
It continues to be unclear whether or not the division will survive right after 2026, immediately after which the American Rescue Program Act funding now sustaining the section will operate out and focused funding from the city’s standard fund will be desired.
Nevertheless, Nazaka and Lesniak truly feel assured that the worth of the department can be recognized in that time frame, with Nazaka believing Lesniak will be the 1st of numerous new workforce to assist foster Manchester’s small business local community.
“The conclusion recreation is to mature Manchester and go on to add to a vibrance that we have as very well as drawing a lot more people today and companies to be a component of it,” mentioned Lesniak.