(Concord, NH) — Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced with U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development has awarded the City of Franklin a $30,000 grant. The funding will be used to help further economic development in the city. Specifically, Franklin is hoping to attract investors to finish the re-purposing and revitalization of the core downtown business district, with specific properties being targeted for re-development or renovations.  Kuster wrote a letter of support for the grant earlier this year.

“Investing in the success and development of New Hampshire’s communities is critical to the health and economic wellbeing of our entire state,” said Kuster. “This funding will help Franklin draw Granite Staters and tourists alike, helping the city to grow and succeed. I’m excited by this latest development and I will continue working to ensure all Granite State communities have the resources and support they need to flourish.”  

“I’m excited to see the ongoing efforts to revitalize Franklin’s downtown, which will help attract businesses and create jobs for local residents. This grant award for Franklin is a helpful boost to these efforts and I congratulate local officials,” said Shaheen. “I’ll keep working across the aisle to ensure New Hampshire has the tools it needs to prioritize economic development.”

“The city of Franklin has made great strides in revitalizing its downtown, and this federal grant will help the community in its efforts to attract more businesses and spur economic growth,” Senator Hassan said. “I will continue working with the rest of the New Hampshire delegation to secure more federal investments to help improve the economic vitality of our communities and the well-being of Granite Staters in all parts of our state.”

Kuster has long fought to invest in the development of rural communities in New Hampshire. Last year, she took a tour of Downtown Franklin to observe Franklin’s economic revitalization efforts and funding priorities. As a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee and Agriculture Committee, Kuster advocated for the inclusion of language to strengthen and expand the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and has been a leader in the effort to protect the NBRC, which was singled out for elimination in President Trump’s budget proposal. The NBRC has funded numerous projects championed by Kuster including economic development in downtown Claremont, constructing a new treatment facility at Bethlehem’s Friendship House, and improving water infrastructure in Bethlehem, Colebrook and Whitefield, among others.

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