Northeast & New Hampshire Self-Storage Boards Propose Merger

Following several years of collaboration and discussions about their futures, the New Hampshire Self Storage Association (NHSSA) board voted to pursue a merger with NeSSA at a board meeting on Jan. 7, 2025. On Feb. 20, 2025, board members of the Northeast Self Storage Association (NeSSA) followed suit during their meeting. According to a newsletter sent out by the associations, the executive committees of board boards will take point as representation for their associations as well as facility and vendor members within each group. The merged association would serve Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

NeSSA and NHSSA currently collaborate annually on four webinars, and NHSSA has joined NeSSA’s annual Northeast Storage EXPO as a co-host for two years now, with the intent to continue in the future. This collaboration has made more benefits and opportunities to learn and network possible. Working together has enabled the associations to expand their speaker base, build attendance, offer the webinars at no cost to members, increase sponsorships, and grow the EXPO.

A merger of the two associations is expected to have a positive impact on members’ businesses. As one organization, the combined associations will continue to have the same mission and governing documents, a united member base, and a single board of directors. Members will not lose any of their current member benefits and may gain resources and new offerings as the association continues to grow not only in size, but with the interests and preferences of its members.

For members with facilities in multiple states, this consolidation will result in one dues notice, one website login, one association office phone number and email address, and one expanded membership roster. It is expected that the merged association will become larger than the combined membership of the existing associations resulting in increased revenue and participation at its events.

The association boards have renewed a relationship with the attorney who handled NeSSA’s original merger. The attorney will direct the activities and assist with the filing of state forms in both NH and MA (where NeSSA is registered) and with the IRS. Volunteers will develop the organizational documents, for example the bylaws, and all organizational documents will be reviewed by the attorney before they are enacted.

Later this year, both boards will vote whether to approve the merger, then the membership will vote. Should everything go smoothly, it is anticipated that both votes and all the merger paperwork with appropriate approvals will occur by year-end.