Bedford is one of New Hampshire's most desirable towns. The town' s Village Center is uncommonly pretty, blending antique colonial structures and beautiful homes.
Recreation comes in forms, including parks playgrounds, tennis courts, a swimming pool, golf courses, hiking trails, and more. The schools for grades 1-8 are exceptionally good, as is the nearby Manchester High School.
Neighboring Manchester provides many other businesses, cultural and shopping benefits, although it is hard to find a nicer place to shop than the Bedford Mall. The area is also blessed with a grand selection of fine restaurants.
Direct access to Route 1-93 means that Route 128, Boston, the mountains and the ocean are all within an hour's drive.
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Town of Bedford |
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Karen White, Planning Director |
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24 North Amherst Road |
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Bedford, NH 03110 |
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(603) 472-5242 |
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(603) 472-4573 |
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kwhite@ci.bedford.nh.us |
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Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm |
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Hillsborough |
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Manchester |
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Southern NH |
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Merrimack Valley |
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Demographics, 2000 Census: From 1990 to 2000, Bedford's population grew by 45.5 percent, the 9th highest percent increase among the cities and towns, for a total of 18,274. There were 5,711 new residents, the 3rd highest numeric increase among the cities and towns. The median age is 39.2, with 28.6 percent of the population under the age of 18 and 11.5 percent age 65 and older. The total number of households is 6,251, with an average size of 2.85 persons. Of those, 5,124 are family households, with an average size of 3.17 persons. As of April 1, 2000, there were 6,401 total housing units. |
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Population Density, 2000: 558.0 persons per square mile of land area. Bedford contains 32.8 square miles of land area and 0.3 square miles of inland water area. |
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Origin: Established in 1730 as Narragansett Number 5 for the benefit of soldiers who fought against the Narragansett Indians in Rhode Island. It was regranted first as Souhegan East, then as Bedford in 1750. The town was named for Lord John Russell, fourth Duke of Bedford, a close friend of Governor Benning Wentworth. |
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
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City/Town Office Hours: |
M-F 8-4:30 pm |
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Type of Government |
Manager & Council |
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Annual Budget (2001) |
$11,488,169 |
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Planning Board |
Appointed |
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Industrial Plans Reviewed By |
Planning Board |
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Zoning |
1953/00 |
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Master Plan |
2000 |
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Capital Improvement Plan |
Yes |
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Public Library |
Bedford Public |
EMERGENCY SERVICES
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Police Department |
Full-time |
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Fire Department |
Full-time |
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Town Fire Insurance Rating |
5/9 |
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Emergency Medical Service |
Municipal |
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Elliot; Catholic Medical Center |
In: Manchester |
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Distance: 5 miles |
Beds: 249; 212 |
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TAXES
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2001 Total Tax Rate |
$19.11 |
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2001 Equalization Ratio |
0.78 |
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2001 Full Value Tax Rate |
$14.88 |
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2001 Property Valuation: |
Residential |
81.1% |
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Commercial |
17.8% |
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Other |
1.1% |
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UTILITIES
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Electric Supplier |
PSNH |
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Natural Gas Supplier |
Keyspan |
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Water Supplier |
Manchester Water Works, Pennichuck Water Works |
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Sanitation |
Septic & Municipal |
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Municipal Treatment Plant |
No |
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Curbside Trash Pickup |
No |
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Mandatory Recycling Program |
No |
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Telephone Company |
Verizon |
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Cellular Telephone Access |
Yes |
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Cable Television Access |
Yes |
HOUSING, 2000
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Total Housing Units |
6,401 |
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Single-Family Units |
5,328 |
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Building Permits Issued |
161 |
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Multi-Family Units |
1,065 |
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Building Permits Issued |
148 |
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Manufactured Housing Units |
8 |
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Median Value, Owner-Occupied Housing |
$218,300 |
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Median Gross Rent (monthly) |
$1,088 |
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DEMOGRAPHICS (US Census)
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Total Population |
Community |
County |
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2000 |
18,274 |
380,841 |
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1990 |
12,563 |
336,073 |
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1980 |
9,481 |
276,608 |
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1970 |
5,859 |
223,941 |
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Population by Gender, 2000 |
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Male: 8,988 |
Female: 9,286 |
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Population by Age Group, 2000 |
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Under age 5 |
1,329 |
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Age 5 to 19 |
4,212 |
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Age 20 to 34 |
2,190 |
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Age 35 to 54 |
6,703 |
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Age 55 to 64 |
1,737 |
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Age 65 and over |
2,103 |
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Median Age |
39.2 years |
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Total Households: 6,269 |
Average Size: 2.85 persons |
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Total Families: 5,134 |
Average Size: 3.17 persons |
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Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over |
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High school graduate or higher |
92.6% |
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Bachelor's degree or higher |
49.3% |
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ANNUAL INCOME, 2000 (US Census)
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Per capita income |
$37,730 |
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Median 4-person family income |
$91,868 |
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Median household income |
$84,392 |
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Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers |
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Male |
$69,987 |
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Female |
$39,507 |
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Families below the poverty level |
1.6% |
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TRANSPORTATION
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Road Access |
Federal Routes |
3 |
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State Routes |
101 |
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Nearest Interstate, Exit |
I-293, Exit 4 |
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Distance |
Local access |
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Railroad |
Boston & Maine |
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Public Transportation |
Yes |
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Nearest Airport |
Manchester |
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Runway |
7,573 feet |
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Lighted? |
Yes |
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Navigational Aids? |
Yes |
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Nearest Commercial Airport |
Manchester |
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Distance |
5 miles |
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DISTANCE TO
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Manchester, NH |
5 miles |
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Portland, ME |
100 miles |
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Boston, MA |
54 miles |
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New York City, NY |
245 miles |
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Montreal, Quebec |
265 miles |
LARGEST EMPLOYERS |
PRODUCT/SERVICE |
EMPLOYEES |
ESTABLISHED |
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Wal-Mart |
Department store |
283 |
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Bedford School District |
Public schools |
245 |
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Macy's |
Retail |
199 |
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Car Components Technology |
Manufacturing |
196 |
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Sheraton Tara Wayfarer Inn |
Hotel, restaurant, convention center |
185 |
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Managed OPS.COM |
Computer Technology |
180 |
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Kelly Services |
Temporary employment agency |
150 |
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Harvey Construction |
Construction |
100 |
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Continental P.E.T. |
Research, manufacturing |
100 |
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LABOR FORCE
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Annual Average |
1990 |
2001 |
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Civilian labor force |
7,293 |
9,508 |
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Employed |
7,037 |
9,255 |
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Unemployed |
256 |
253 |
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Unemployment rate |
3.5% |
2.7% |
COMMUTING TO WORK, 2000
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Workers 16 years and over |
(US Census) |
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Drove alone, car/truck/van |
86.0% |
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Carpooled, car/truck/van |
5.4% |
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Public transportation |
0.3% |
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Walked |
0.5% |
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Other means |
1.5% |
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Worked at home |
6.3% |
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Mean Travel Time to Work |
27.2 minutes |
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
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1991 |
2000 |
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Manufacturing Industries |
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Average Employment |
209 |
1,095 |
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Average Weekly Wage |
$511 |
$752 |
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Non-Manufacturing Industries |
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Average Employment |
7,926 |
11,520 |
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Average Weekly Wage |
$521 |
$814 |
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Total Private Industry |
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Average Employment |
8,135 |
12,616 |
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Average Weekly Wage |
$521 |
$808 |
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Government |
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Average Employment |
436 |
662 |
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Average Weekly Wage |
$556 |
$645 |
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Total, Private plus Government |
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Average Employment |
8,571 |
13,278 |
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Average Weekly Wage |
$523 |
$800 |
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RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
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Municipal Parks |
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YMCA/YWCA |
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Boys Club/Girls Club |
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Golf Courses |
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Swimming: Indoor Facility |
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Swimming: Outdoor Facility |
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Tennis Courts: Indoor Facility |
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X |
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility |
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Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility |
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Bowling Facilities |
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Museums |
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Cinemas |
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Performing Arts Facilities |
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Tourist Attractions |
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Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H) |
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X |
Youth Sports: Baseball |
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X |
Youth Sports: Soccer |
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Youth Sports: Football |
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Youth Sports: Basketball |
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Youth Sports: Hockey |
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Campgrounds |
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Fishing/Hunting |
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Boating/Marinas |
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Snowmobile Trails |
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Bicycle Trails |
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Cross Country Skiing |
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Nearest Ski Area(s): Pat's Peak |
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Other: |
