Today, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Congresswomen Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) announced that the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has awarded federal grant funds to development projects throughout the Granite State. These grants will support economic development projects in rural communities across the state.

The New Hampshire delegation has led efforts to protect the Northern Border Regional Commission, which was singled out for elimination in President Trump’s budget proposal but was eventually funded at $15 million for Fiscal Year 2018. The delegation has also supported bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Shaheen and Congresswoman Kuster that would extend authorization of the NBRC for five years and make additional reforms to encourage business retention and expansion in Northern New Hampshire and other distressed communities of the Northern Forest region. Last month, the legislation passed the Senate as part of the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Kuster, who was recently named as a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, has committed to advocating for inclusion of the NBRC Reauthorization Act in the Farm Bill.

“The Northern Border Regional Commission has made a significant difference for families in Northern New Hampshire by supporting projects that promote wellness and economic opportunity,” said Shaheen, who has been instrumental in securing funding for the NBRC as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. “These grants will improve quality of life in the region by funding a range of projects that bolster public health while supporting affordable housing, broadband expansion, and workforce training. I am pleased to announce these grants and, as a member of the Appropriations committee, I will keep working across the aisle to boost funding for the NBRC to ensure continued economic investments in Northern New Hampshire and the Northern Forest region.”

“I am pleased to announce that the Northern Border Regional Commission has awarded nearly $3 million in federal funding to help spur economic and community development in New Hampshire,” Senator Hassan said. “These federal grants will strengthen our communities by helping to expand the availability of affordable housing, connect more people to broadband, increase Coos County’s substance misuse treatment capacity, and support workforce development efforts, just to name a few. I will keep working with our Congressional delegation to ensure that the Northern Border Regional Commission is adequately funded so it can continue to provide funding for future projects in New Hampshire.”

“The Northern Border Regional Commission has been an essential player in spurring growth and opportunity in rural communities throughout the Granite State,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “These grants will bolster educational and workforce training, recreational programming, healthcare services, and our affordable housing stock, all of which are vital to the economic development of our state. I will continue to work across the aisle to strengthen this critical program and ensure rural and underserved communities in New Hampshire get the support and resources they need to thrive and prosper.”

“The Northern Border Regional Commission plays an important role in expanding economic development, increasing access to affordable housing, and providing job training for Granite Staters,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. “These awards, totaling nearly $3 million across the state, will benefit First District residents by facilitating the construction of moderate income housing in the Wolfeboro area and by funding skills training for high wage jobs to help businesses hire and expand. The funding will also be used to help GALA, a Wolfeboro organization, renovate a building to serve as a makerspace and incubator for new businesses. The NBRC must be fully funded.”

Among the projects receiving NBRC funds:

-The Town of Bristol will receive $137,157 to construct a 3-mile, middle mile fiber-optic cable network. This will spur economic growth by providing high speed internet and backhaul for cellular and wireless needs for businesses, residents, and municipal offices

-The Laconia Area Community Land Trust, Inc. DBA Lakes Region Community Developers will receive $310,000 to facilitate the development of moderate income homes in the Wolfeboro area

-The Dartmouth Regional Technology Center will receive $250,000 for the purchase and installation of a laboratory-grade air handling system

-White Mountain Science, Inc. of Coos and Grafton Counties will receive $95,550 to create a region-wide high school STEM workforce training program that focuses on leadership, communications, STEM-tech skills, and entrepreneurship

-White Mountain Community College will receive $240,220 to establish the Industrial Maintenance/Millwright training program, which will provide technical knowledge and practical skills training to students who want to enter the Maintenance and Millwrighting field

-The Littleton Industrial Development Corporation will receive $119,500 to develop a 42-acre expansion of Littleton’s industrial park

-The G.A.L.A. Community Center will receive $250,000 to renovate a vacant building to be used as a makerspace and incubator

-Mascoma Community Healthcare, Inc. will receive $154,276 to expand its healthcare center in Canaan

-Coos County Family Health Services will receive $250,000 to expand its clinical space and the services it provides, including behavioral health and substance abuse treatment

-Coos Economic Development Corporation will receive $250,000 to refurbish buildings around Whitefield’s King Square, resulting in 20 apartments and at least four commercial spaces on street level

-Taproot Farm and Environmental Education Center will receive $156,260 to maintain ownership of and expand a local food store in Lancaster that supports 88 local agricultural producers and artisan crafters

-Weeks Medical Center will receive $250,000 to build a patient care center in Lancaster

-The Bridge House will receive $68,340 to create affordable housing units in Grafton County

-The Town of Enfield will receive $135,398 to construct the Mascoma Lakeside Park Pavilion, which will provide indoor and outdoor community gathering space and enhanced recreation opportunities

Created by the 2008 Farm Bill, the Northern Border Regional Commission is a Federal-State partnership that is comprised of a Federal Co-Chair and the Governors of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.  The Commission was established to organize federal funding towards specific State economic and community development projects in rural parts of the Northeast.  The investments made by the NBRC have the direct impact of creating jobs, supporting community-oriented projects and attracting private investments that will help organizations and municipalities meet their funding objectives.  

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