Merrimack Town Manager Paul Micali recently conveyed his thoughts on the proposed immigrant detention center in his Feb. 17 letter which was sent to Gov. Kelly Ayotte as well as to Merrimack’s state and federal delegation. Courtesy photo

MERRIMACK – Town Manager Paul Micali had a plethora of criticism after reviewing documents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the proposed immigrant detention center at 50 Robert Milligan Pkwy.

“It appears that whoever prepared those documents cut and pasted information,” he said in his Feb. 17 letter which was sent to Gov. Kelly Ayotte as well as to Merrimack’s state and federal delegation. “Clearly this individual has no idea about New Hampshire since there were several erroneous statements made about tax revenues to the state and town.”

Micali called attention to the Economic Impact Study which states that the facility is projected to produce approximately $10.7 million in annual tax revenue.

“Fundamentally, it is accurate that Merrimack would lose $529,000 in property tax revenue,” he said.

The Economic Impact Study also indicated that Homeland Security, which oversees the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is planning to invest $158 million to retrofit the site. However, Micali said the 43-acre parcel is assessed at $23.6 million.

“That is six times the assessed value,” he said, adding that the federal investment would exceed the value of the Merrimack Premium Outlets, which sits on 143 acres.

Homeland Security officials also said the retrofit process will produce 1,252 jobs. Following the retrofit, 265 employees will be needed for daily operations. In response, Micali said the town does not have an unemployment problem. As of December 2025, Merrimack’s unemployment rate was 2.9 percent while the state average was 3.1 percent.

“Clearly Merrimack has not been specifically assessed,” he said. “The use of this inaccurate information certainly demonstrates that there was little consideration of focusing on Merrimack and our needs.”

In addition, Micali said there was no mention of the Nashua Fish and Game Association and shooting range that is almost adjacent to Robert Milligan Parkway.

“This club has been in existence since the 1930s and members shoot rifles and handguns throughout the year,” he said. “It is a reasonable request that an individual with knowledge of how these numbers were calculated call the town to discuss the actual calculations. This discussion would enhance understanding as well as allow the town to present actual accurate data for consideration.”