Letter from the GM: 10 Year Plan

Jackson, New Hampshire is an idyllic New England town that checks all the boxes. Encircled by the White Mountains, the town’s covered bridge, schoolhouse, church, and quaint inns makes everyone at the Hallmark Channel jealous. It is easy to see why people have been coming here for generations.

The Mount Washington Valley itself has been a tourist destination for almost 200 years. And while skiing, in its various forms, has been happening here for about 100 years, there has been a recent surge in popularity. Last year, North Conway was named the “Best Ski Town in America.” The little mountain that could has become a main character in this fairytale.

Now, and for the first time since the contest was created, Black Mountain has won the readers' choice award for the best ski area in Mt. Washington Valley. That is no small feat for a little ski area that was pronounced dead. We compete in close proximity with 5 other ski areas, two of which are owned by prominent hospitality groups. Two more are owned by the mega ski corporation, Vail Resorts. All of this recognition speaks as much to people demanding that community assets like Black Mountain should exist, and that they can thrive in our transactional and corporate world.

Beyond the awards and postcard worthy landscapes, there is a thoughtful community of people who live here. As Ashley and I settle into our small town New England life, the highlight of living in Jackson is without question the friends and acquaintances we have made so far. This town’s greatest attribute is the people who live and work here.

Despite all the positivity there is also tension. The mountain’s supercharged comeback has made us the largest taxpayer and employer in town. It has also made us the busiest, and some suggest the loudest. But the ski area is only a small piece of a bigger conversation. Somehow, together, we have to balance this being a great place to visit, while remaining a great place to live.

Unsurprisingly I find Black Mountain’s “style” not to be a liability but in fact its greatest asset, and key piece of its comeback success. As for the mechanics of the town we must weigh the need for nice buildings and reliable services with a tax bill that does not become over burdensome. We should not confuse affordable housing with obtainable housing. Regulation and enforcement should be focused on upholding the town’s chosen identity. The only constant thing is change itself, and we should be thankful that so many people visit and find Jackson to be as beautiful as we do. That’s why we purposefully say “Thanks for being here”. These are my own opinions.

We now need your opinion and participation. State statute gives us a framework for these important conversations with the forthcoming Town of Jackson 10 year Master Plan. Having joined our town planning board and the subcommittee helping to facilitate the next version of this important document, I urge you to share your thoughts directly by participating in the committee created survey. It is open to residents, property owners, and anyone who has visited this remarkable small town in any way. So many current full time residents were once second homeowners and visitors themselves. The survey is purposely inclusive; this town is many things to many people.

As we head into another toxic election season when everything feels like it needs to be red and blue, or black and white, please take the time to thoughtfully contribute to this little town’s plan for the future. The goal is not yet to agree, but to partipcate and listen.

Thanks for being here.

Erik Mogensen

President and General Manager

Black Mountain Community Corporation