— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, applauded the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) announcement that grant applications for communities impacted by forest product plant closures are now being accepted for fiscal year (FY) 2019. In addition to securing $20 million in NBRC funding in the FY 2019 spending bill that was signed into law, Shaheen included language to ensure portions of NBRC funds be directed to assist rural communities affected by past mill closures, as well as support new markets and the infrastructure needs of the forest products industry. Federal funds from both FY18 and 19 appropriations legislation totaling $7 million in federal grants will be set-aside through her provision to help communities impacted by forest product plant closures.

“The Northern Border Regional Commission plays an important role in our rural communities, and particularly in areas that are economically distressed due to forest product plant closures,” said Shaheen. “The shuttering of these plants is a serious issue in northern New Hampshire, which is why the federal assistance provided through the NBRC is such a critical tool for impacted areas. I encourage Granite State leaders to take advantage of this resource and look at the high-priority projects in their region that will benefit from these federal dollars — from expanding broadband access to improving crumbling infrastructure – and apply today!”