PLAISTOW — One of New Hampshire's gateways is ready to start attracting new businesses.

Route 125 in Plaistow was officially declared an economic revitalization zone yesterday, meaning new and existing businesses will be offered tax credits to expand in the area.

Plaistow had applied in June for the designation from the state Division of Economic Development. Officials finally celebrated its acceptance into the program yesterday at Plaistow Town Hall with Gov. John Lynch, state and local officials.

The goal is to turn the busy border town into more than just a commercial mecca.

"We need a medical arts complex and we need a high-tech office park," Selectmen's Chairman Dan Poliquin said.

At least 25,000 cars travel down the road every day, many of those New Hampshire residents traveling south to work, Poliquin said.

The revitalization zone will allow businesses to get a $40,000 tax credit if they create new jobs or invest in new buildings, according to Rep. Norman Major, R-Plaistow.

"We've never seen so many businesses that are empty," Major said.

The area needs to create jobs because Plaistow's unemployment ranks among the highest of non-rural communities in the state at 9.2 percent.

"Jobs (are) the most important thing for us, for our families and for our friends," Major said.

But this isn't the first time Route 125 has been home to empty storefronts and lots.

Philip Plante of Ocean Bank said business is cyclical and the area is facing the same challenges it did in the early 1990s when 95 businesses shut their doors.

"We went through the same thing in the 1991-1992 time frame," Plante said.

Lynch said he's confident the state has highly skilled workers who are in need of jobs that the new zone can help provide.

"It's an opportunity we can market that other states can't provide," Lynch said.

Eighteen other communities across the state have declared economic revitalization zones.

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