Conway Master Plan Update 2024

In the 20 years since the Town of Conway, New Hampshire last updated its Master Plan, the community has seen significant change. There has been a continued shift toward a recreational tourism-based economy and away from an economy based on heavy industry. In recent years, housing prices have soared. Many homes that were once available for long-term residents have become short-term rentals for visitors. Most development in Conway over the past 20 years has been commercial in nature; more recently, Conway has seen a marked rise in new hotel development. Climate change has also continued to progress, leading to warmer winters that negatively affect the community’s culture of winter fun and threaten the health of local ecosystems.

As a community, Conway is challenged by its successes – people want to live in Conway, and people want to visit. New residents, particularly prospective second homeowners, can typically afford higher home prices than current residents. This squeezes out locals who cannot keep up with rising housing costs. The Town is also a primary gateway to the White Mountain National Forest, which sees over 6 million visitors annually. While this high level of visitation helps sustain Conway’s economy, it also places additional strain on the Town’s infrastructure, including roads, water, and wastewater.