U.S. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), right, and Alderwoman-at-Large Amber Morgan recently heard from small business owners about the challenges and uncertainties they face every day. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

NASHUA – U.S. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) recently met with local small business owners to gain greater insight into the multitude of challenges and uncertainties they face every day.

“You are the beating heart of this downtown,” Goodlander said during the Jan. 29 meeting. “You guys are doing some of the hardest jobs, operating on razor thin margins.”

She also said that, particularly for small businesses, federal tariffs and programs come and go with little or no explanation and cause “crippling uncertainty.”

“The rules are written for the big players,” said Goodlander, adding that a much larger bi-partisan effort is needed for small business owners. “This is a massive priority for me.”

On the local level, Alderwoman-at-Large Amber Morgan, owner of Fortin Gage Flowers, said City Hall needs a full-time communications professional.

“We have this gap,” she said. “If Nashua’s a business, we need a rebrand.”

Fou Mafuz, owner of PRG Rugs, said he has friends at BAE Systems and Fidelity Investments who can go home and leave work at the office. However, he does not have the same luxury as it is a constant struggle just to remain competitive.

“We have to look like we’re big,” he said. “There’s all this pressure to be something you’re not.”

Regarding the tariffs, Elissa Drift, owner of Local Street Eats, said she would rather change her menu than raise her prices.

In terms of staffing, Drift also said she has reached out to numerous culinary schools to recruit interns. However, she never hears back from them.

“It falls on deaf ears,” she said.

Attorney Kristin Mendoza, owner of Abridge Law, said college students almost never consider small businesses for internships.

“There needs to be more matchmaking,” she said. “We can’t go to career fairs and hire 10 people on the spot.”

Alyssa O’Mara, executive director of the Downtown Nashua Association, said Manchester has an attractive complement of social clubs, art galleries and events.

“There’s a lot of things happening in Manchester that we don’t have the funding to do,” she said.

James Lawrence, a property manager with the New Hampshire Consistory, said there is a “dark cloud” hanging over the local economy.

“All these businesses need one thing to thrive and that’s foot traffic,” he said. “It’s the bloodlife of the entire community.”

Goodlander said the lack of foot traffic is directly linked to the housing shortage. Therefore, she asked Lawrence if he has any residential properties.

“We desperately need more housing in Nashua,” said Goodlander. “There are no homes.”

Lawrence said all of his properties are currently commercial; however, some of them could be converted into mixed-use properties if sufficient funding was available.

“Construction is exorbitantly expensive,” he said.

The lack of parking also continues to be a concern.

“When you’re a downtown business owner and you get a ticket, it’s like a slap in the face,” said Mafuz.

David Pothier, owner of Wilfred’s Barbershop, said that in addition to increased parking rates, the payment apps are always changing and never work properly.

O’Mara said residents view parking fees as a “money grab.” She also said the city has allowed large developments to be built without parking accommodations.