**The full conversation is available HERE**
**The Northern Border Regional Commission released guidance for the 2021 grant process today**

Concord, N.H. — Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted a virtual workshop with Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) leadership and NH economic development stakeholders to bring together potential applicants from all NBRC-eligible counties in NH to learn about the grant program and the 2021 application process. The workshop gave potential applicants the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of Northern Border Regional Commission Executive Director Rich Grogan, Program Director Andrea Smith as well as Beno Lamontagne with the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs. 

Kuster has long been a proponent of the NBRC and worked to expand the geographic reach of the program and increase funding. Last Congress, she spearheaded legislation that allows a waiver for matching funds to ensure applicants impacted by COVID-19 can still access funding. 

Guidance on how to request funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission’s 2021 State Economic & Infrastructure Development Investment Program was released today. The program is administered through the NBRC and grant decisions for NH are made by New Hampshire state program managers.

“Communities across New Hampshire have been grappling with the economic impacts of COVID-19 for nearly a year now, and the Northern Border Regional Commission can play a crucial role in expanding economic development in rural Granite State communities as they rebuild and recover,” said Rep. Kuster. “Today’s virtual workshop on NBRC grants provided an important opportunity for eligible local and regional organizations to learn more and get answers to their questions about the application process. I was proud to help bolster funding for the NBRC in Congress to encourage economic development and accelerate job creation in New Hampshire communities that need it most. I will continue working to secure robust funding for the NBRC to ensure Granite State organizations can make the most of this program.”

"It is our privilege to support the hard work of the communities and organizations we serve through the funding provided in this year's EID grant round," said Northern Border Regional Commission Executive Director Rich Grogan. "Economic development has never been more critical as we work to rebuild from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage interested applicants to start with a conversation with New Hampshire's State Program Manager, Beno Lamontagne, and to please refer to our website for more detailed guidance on the application itself."

Kuster has been a leading advocate in Congress to expand funding for the NBRC. As a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee and Agriculture Committee, Kuster helped secure provisions in the final 2018 Farm Bill to strengthen the NBRC and expand the reach of the program. She introduced and advanced bipartisan legislation, the Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, to continue funding for the NBRC. 

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