(Groveton, NH) – This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) toured the Groveton Mill and discussed efforts she has led to return jobs to the mill site and throughout the North Country. Kuster’s visit came a week after Vermont-based NSA Industries announced it would expand to the Groveton Mill site, bringing as many as 60 jobs. During her visit, Kuster met with site owner Bob Chapman, as well as town officials and regional planners, to discuss these new jobs and plans to continue the redevelopment of the mill.

“The progress we have seen here at the Groveton Mill is a clear sign the North Country is open for business,” Kuster said.  “I am proud to have worked with leaders from throughout the region to bring jobs back to the area.  I want to thank Bob Chapman, NSA Industries, and everyone else involved in this project for sharing my commitment and helping to bring jobs and opportunity back to the North Country.”

In addition to Chapman, Kuster met today with site manager Mike Sterling, Mark Butterfield of NCIC, Town Grant Writer Robin Irving, and Town Selectman Jim Tierney.

In November 2014, Congresswoman Kuster and Chapman convened a working group of federal, state and local planners to develop plans to redevelop the mill, which closed in 2008, costing the North Country more than 300 jobs.  Over the coming months, the group applied for and secured more than $1 million in federal grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, and the Northern Border Regional Commission, and this past year, the group proposed and passed a town warrant article for $400,000 to restore water and sewer service to the site.  These efforts paved the way for NSA Industries, based in St. Johnsbury, VT, to expand its metal fabricating and machining operations to Groveton, a village within the Town of Northumberland. 

As the representative for New Hampshire’s 2^nd District in Congress, Kuster has worked tirelessly to advance economic development in the North Country and throughout the Granite State.  She worked to support businesses by extending freight rail service and improving broadband service throughout the region.  Last month, Kuster introduced the Export Promotion Act, which will help businesses cut through red tape and sell across international borders, and earlier this year, she introduced the Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act, which would streamline commerce activities and expand trade opportunities for Granite State businesses.  

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