Mike Scala

Director of Economic Development, City of Rochester, New Hampshire

A native son of Rochester, Mike Scala currently serves as Rochester’s Director of Economic Development.  His office is responsible for encouraging economic growth, while providing assistance to current and prospective businesses throughout the Greater Rochester area.  This is accomplished through successful partnerships with federal, state, municipal, and local entities all concerned with the economic health of the city.  

Prior to taking the job in Rochester, Mike acted as the Executive Director of the Coos Economic Development Corporation, and prior to that, as the North Country Representative for U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte. Mike currently serves as a Gubernatorial Appointee on the state’s Judicial Selection Committee, and has volunteered for the SCORE, CASA, and Kiwanis organizations. 

Mike attended the University of New Hampshire where he received a BA in History, as well as an Executive MBA. Mike also has over 20 years of experience as both an owner and manager of numerous restaurants throughout the Seacoast. 

Mike currently resides in Downtown Rochester, and is very pleased to have a front row seat to the exciting redevelopment of the city center.  

Course Description: Urban Redevelopment

In Urban Redevelopment, you will explore the strategies, processes, and stakeholders involved in reimagining, redeveloping, and reinvigorating an urban downtown within a municipal setting. Historically, the economic lifeblood of any city or town was its downtown commercial district. Downtown retailers would provide a diverse group of products and services ranging from haircuts to hammers to groceries. The development of the indoor shopping mall, and more recently the proliferation of online shopping, have both led to the gradual degradation of the once vibrant downtown.

Student teams will determine the who, what, where, and why of an economic development project to reinvigorate urban development, and how to apply to the framework of downtown redevelopment to their specific projects.