Unitil Hosts Seacoast Economic Development Meetings.

Business Editors

HAMPTON, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2000

Unitil Corporation (AMEX:UTL) (www.unitil.com) will host the Rockingham Economic Development Corporation's (REDC) upcoming strategic planning meetings for the Seacoast Region.

The meetings will take place at Unitil's Corporate headquarters, 6 Liberty Lane West in Hampton, NH on March 8, March 22 and April 5 from 7-9pm.

"The Rockingham Economic Development Corporation plays an important role in the health of our economy and the opportunities for responsible business growth," said Unitil CEO Bob Schoenberger. "These planning meetings are critically important in helping the region complete the transition into the twenty first century - Unitil's ongoing success, and that of every business in the area, depends on it."

"The perfect time to do long-term economic planning is during Boom Times," said REDC President Warren Henderson. "These meetings are a key element of our efforts to preserve our prosperity and help create new economic opportunities. The best way to do economic planning is to get broad input and work regionally. That's precisely what this project is designed to do."

The REDC strategic planning meetings are a grassroots planning process, tapping the expertise of local businesses and industry, municipalities, institutions and civic organizations. The meetings will cover brainstorming and discussion on needs assessment for the first meeting, visioning for the second meeting and action plan/priority project listing for the third meeting.

REDC will also conduct meetings in their two other regions. The Central Region group will meet at the Rockingham County Complex Auditorium on March 9, March 23 an April 6 from 7-9pm. The West Region group will meet at the Holiday Inn of Salem, NH on March 15, March 29 and April 12 from 7-9pm.

The results of the regional meetings will be presented in May, followed by public hearing and final plan approval in June.

The Rockingham Economic Development Corporation (REDC) of Exeter, NH seeks to promote responsible economic development activities in the 37 communities of Rockingham County. REDC does this by creating jobs for low to moderate income people, by accessing alternative financing for business and industrial expansion/relocations, which in turn provides tax relief for its communities and its region. For more information on REDC, or to participate in the meetings, call Marie Cappello, Executive Director, at 603-772-2655.

Unitil is a public utility holding company with subsidiaries providing electric service in New Hampshire, electric and gas service in Massachusetts, and energy services throughout the Northeast. Unitil's other subsidiaries include Concord Electric Company, Exeter & Hampton Electric Company, Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company, Unitil Power Corp., Unitil Resources, Inc., Unitil Realty Corp. and Unitil Service Corp.