Sig Sauer's $33M bond for Rochester expansion guaranteed by state of NH

Karen Dandurant, Foster's Daily Democrat
·2 min read

ROCHESTER — New Hampshire is backing a $33.1 million bond for Sig Sauer to expand its gun manufacturing operation on Amarosa Drive following approval by the state Executive Council Wednesday.

The proposal for Sig Sauer was brought to the council through the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority to be supported by the award of a guarantee by the state of New Hampshire and which will be taxable under RSA 162-1.

"We are pleased to support Sig Sauer's continued expansion in Rochester," James Key-Wallace, executive director of the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, said in a prepared statement. "This partnership creates 250 new jobs and reinforces New Hampshire's stature as a premier hub for business growth for both large and small companies. Additionally, we recognize the importance of Sig Sauer's critical work equipping our servicemen and servicewomen stationed overseas. This project not only creates economic opportunity for our community but increases the security of our country."

More: Sig Sauer expansion moves ahead in Rochester, with some changes after neighbors complain

Sig Sauer is preparing to expand its Rochester campus with a new 27,000-square-foot building.
Sig Sauer is preparing to expand its Rochester campus with a new 27,000-square-foot building.

According to the proposal, the funds are for "additional improvements and renovations to an existing 89,000 square foot building (owned by the Authority and currently leased to the Sig Sauer Real Estate Inc. for the construction of a 27,700 square foot extension, including site work and related improvements, located at 7 Amarosa Drive, Rochester."

Improvements include landscaping, drainage, parking and a reconfigured driveway connecting to a future traffic circle to be located on Milton Road.

“The continued expansion of our Rochester Phase 2 operations is incredibly exciting and made possible through our partnership with the NH Business Finance Authority," said Samantha Piatt, director of communications for Sig Sauer. "The loan will go directly towards expanding our manufacturing operations to support the U.S. Army Next Generation Squad Weapons contract bringing more jobs to our growing operation and community investment to Rochester.”

Sig Sauer is located at 7 Amarosa Drive in Rochester.
Sig Sauer is located at 7 Amarosa Drive in Rochester.

Sig Sauer facilities are located throughout the Seacoast. Headquartered in Newington, it is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, suppressors, air guns, and training.

On a 4-1 vote, the executive council approved the loan.

In April 2022, the gunmaker landed a $4.5 billion contract from the U.S. Army to produce what it is calling the Next Generation Squad Weapons System, consisting of firearms and suppressors, which will be manufactured at the Rochester facility.

At the time, Piatt said 100% of the government project is slated for the new plant.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Sig Sauer's $33M bond for Rochester expansion guaranteed by NH