U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced today with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that the town of Littleton has been awarded $250,000 in funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) in partnership with the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The award will allow for the acquisition and development of a 5-acre site in downtown Littleton, which will benefit numerous local businesses and will support the development of a new outdoor recreation area to increase tourism to Littleton throughout the year. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Shaheen has consistently secured federal funding for the NBRC and EDA through the annual appropriations process, and rejected the President’s budget proposal to Congress that eliminates funding for both programs. Representative Kuster advocated on behalf of Littleton and worked with the House Appropriations Committee to secure this grant from the NBRC.

“Funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission has been vital to empowering the revitalization of northern and rural Granite State communities that have been left behind economically,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m pleased that Littleton has been awarded this grant, which will allow it to support local businesses and tourism through the continued development of its downtown and the new outdoor recreation center. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll keep working in a bipartisan manner to ensure the NBRC has the resources it needs to invest in New Hampshire priorities.”

“This federal grant to Littleton from the Northern Border Regional Commission will support local businesses by helping Littleton further invest in its downtown and a new outdoor recreation center, which will benefit local residents and tourists alike,” Senator Hassan said.  

“The Northern Border Regional Commission has played a critical role in promoting economic development and infrastructure projects in rural and underserved communities in New Hampshire,” said Representative Kuster. “This funding will help further revitalize Littleton’s downtown by bolstering local businesses and aiding in the development of a new outdoor recreation area to attract Granite Staters and tourists alike. I’m excited about this announcement and I’ll continue working to invest in all our communities to make sure they have the resources they need to grow and thrive.”

“This additional assistance will allow the Northern Border Regional Commission to provide support and funding for key economic development projects,” said Congressman Pappas. “I will continue to support the commission's work that is essential to strengthen the vitality and opportunities that exist in our communities."

Senator Shaheen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committees, has consistently secured federal funding for the NBRC through the annual appropriations process, including $20 million in fiscal year (FY) 2019 legislation that was signed into law in September. In the committee-approved funding legislation for fiscal year (FY) 2020, Shaheen helped secure $25 million for the NBRC, which is a $5 million increase above the FY2019 funding level and the highest the program has ever been funded. Last year, Shaheen and Kuster-led bipartisan legislation to extend the authorization of the NBRC and expand its reach to include Cheshire County and communities in Belknap County was included the Farm Bill, which was signed into law. 

While 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 in the Farm Bill. She has consistently fought for the NBRC, leading a bipartisan call to the governors of New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York urging support for the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). She has highlighted the importance of the program to senior members of the Trump Administration.

###