Community Project Funding Requests

Update on Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding:


Members of Congress are currently waiting for House leadership and the Appropriations Committee to release guidance for community project funding for FY 2025. While Rep. Kuster is a strong advocate for community project funding, House Republicans may choose to stop allowing Members of Congress to submit projects through this process. More updates will come once more information is available. 

In the meantime, we ask you to take a moment to share any projects you are working on within New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District for which you are interested in pursuing federal resources. With numerous new funding programs now available, Rep. Kuster is eager to identify federal resources to support your work. Our office is interested in learning about projects, big and small.

Please fill out this form to share your projects: https://forms.gle/X4DDJJktxXBJ2qMz8

In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Kuster has certified that she, her spouse, and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects she has requested.

Community Project Requests for Fiscal Year 2024

Project Name: White Mountain Community College Nursing and Science Lab Enhancements
Request Amount: $2,090,000
Intended Recipient: White Mountain Community College
Full Address: 2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin, NH 03570
Explanation of Request: This project is an appropriate use of taxpayers’ funds because it will improve access to care for North Country residents by bolstering White Mountain Community College’s ability to train nurses that can work at local health care facilities. New Hampshire’s North Country has a shortage of qualified nurses and an ageing population. Strengthening White Mountain Community College’s ability to train nurses will help alleviate this shortage by creating the qualified workforce the North Country needs.
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Claremont Enhanced Communication and Public Safety Assurance Project
Request Amount: $1,300,000 
Intended Recipient: City of Claremont
Full Address: 58 Opera House Square, Claremont, NH 03743Explanation of Request:  This is a valuable use of taxpayers’ funds because it will enhance the Claremont Police Department’s ability to ensure public safety and effectively respond to emergencies in Claremont and across Sullivan County. The current radio system used by the Department is over twenty-five years old and replacement parts are no longer available. The records management system is no longer supported by the vendor and is prone to malfunctions. These upgrades will help ensure the Department is able to continue carrying out its critical law enforcement and public safety functions. 
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Concord Homeless Resource Center Hub
Request Amount: $2,500,000
Intended Recipient: Concord Coalition to End Homelessness
Full Address: 238 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
Explanation of Request: Homelessness is a major challenge in New Hampshire. Data shows that there are nearly 200 chronically homeless people in Concord and approximately 4,500 people experiencing homelessness across the state. Amidst this backdrop, the Concord Homeless Resource Center Hub project is a prudent use of taxpayers’ funds because it will improve the Concord community’s ability to respond to homelessness by increasing the number of homeless people served, improving the quality of services they receive, and provide the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness with additional space to respond to the homeless community’s physical and mental health care needs. The larger space will also allow the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness to provide a permanent mailing address for homeless people to help them receive services and apply for jobs. Funding this project will accelerate the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness’ ability to help homeless Granite Staters get back on their feet, connect with services they need, and find permanent housing. 
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Templeton Turnpike and Scott Brook Bridge Restoration Project
Request Amount: $820,950
Intended Recipient: Town of Fitzwilliam
Full Address: 13 East Lake Road, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447
Explanation of Request: This project is a valuable use of taxpayers’ funds because the replacement will result in less flooding and restore the flow of the Scott Brook. This turnpike is a major road that connects New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation named this bridge #5 out of 65 red listed bridges across the state. Replacing this bridge is a major priority for our state. 
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Roosevelt School Housing Project
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Monadnock Affordable Housing Corporation
Full Address: 831 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431
Explanation of Request: This project is a prudent use of taxpayers’ funds because it will increase the housing stock in the City of Keene. New Hampshire has a severe housing shortage; the statewide rental vacancy rate is 0.5%, disproportionately affecting low- and moderate-income households. Phase one of this project will add 30 affordable apartments close to downtown Keene. The proximity to downtown will allow lower-income Granite Staters to have an affordable home within walking distance to a hub of jobs and amenities and bring a potential workforce closer to local businesses.  In addition to the workforce housing benefits, by refurbishing a former school that is underutilized, the project will take what is currently a deteriorating building and turn it into something the community can be proud of. 
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Summer Street Water Infrastructure Improvement
Request Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Lancaster
Full Address: 25 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584
Explanation of Request:  This project is a prudent use of taxpayers’ funds because it will make water infrastructure in the town of Lancaster safer by removing a significant portion of lead pipes from the system. Access to reliable sewers, water, and drainage on a main road is necessary for the town to keep community members safe and attract new businesses and residents. 
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Lebanon Childcare Facility
Request Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Lebanon
Full Address: 51 North Main Street, Lebanon, NH 03766
Explanation of Request: This project is a prudent use of taxpayers’ funds because it will help alleviate the shortage of childcare centers in New Hampshire’s Upper Valley. 43% of families in the area struggle to find affordable childcare. This project will support construction of a new childcare facility that will provide high-quality, educational daycare for 200 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The center will also provide after-school programming for children ages five to twelve. At least 51% of enrollment will be reserved for children of low- to moderate- income families. Childcare for 200 children would provide significant relief to the childcare shortage in the Upper Valley region. According to Vital Communities, a nonprofit that works with 69 Upper Valley communities, childcare for 200 children will resolve nearly 10% of the identified childcare gap in the region. As demonstrated by the community letters submitted with this Community Project Funding request, this project has robust support from the private and nonprofit sector.  In addition to providing childcare for 200 children, the facility will also help expand the early childhood education workforce by offering on-the-job training for future early childhood educators through a partnership with New Hampshire Technical Institute, a local community college. By helping train the next generation of early childhood educators, this facility will lay the groundwork for tackling NH’s early childhood education shortage.  
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Lincoln Police and EOC Center Construction
Request Amount: $1,000,000 
Intended Recipient: Town of Lincoln
Full Address: 148 Main Street, Lincoln, NH 03251
Explanation of Request: This project is an appropriate use of taxpayers’ funds because a new police station will improve the department’s ability to serve the community, accommodate and train full-time officers, and increase communication with other departments. This project has both local and regional significance because it will serve as a centralized dispatch center for the Town of Lincoln and the Town of Woodstock’s police and ambulance services, as well as Lincoln’s fire department.
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: North Country Shared Equity Housing
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: AHEAD: Affordable Housing Education and Development
Full Address: 262 Cottage Street, Suite 127, Littleton, NH 03561
Explanation of Request: This project is a valuable use of taxpayers’ funds because it will help address the housing shortage in New Hampshire’s North Country. New Hampshire’s North Country is known for great skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Because of these outdoor activities, many families want to buy second homes in New Hampshire or move to the region to work remotely. While we welcome these new residents, they have fundamentally shifted the housing market in the region. New residents can pay top dollar for houses, pricing out long-time residents. Exacerbating matters, the majority of homes built in the North Country are designed and priced as second, vacation, or luxury homes. As a result, affordable housing is a major challenge in this region. The lack of affordable housing has negatively impacted the local economy because businesses are not able to recruit and retain the workers. By creating new workforce housing, AHEAD’s development will expand housing options for low-wage and middle-income earners. This project is supported by a wide variety of local stakeholders, including many local small businesses, because it will help address the acute need for workforce housing in the region. 
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Nashua Riverfront Pedestrian Bridge
Request Amount: $2,400,000
Intended Recipient: City of Nashua
Full Address: 229 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060
Explanation of Request: This project is a valuable use of taxpayers’ funds because it will re-establish a pedestrian link between the French-Hill neighborhood and downtown Nashua. The French-Hill neighborhood is one of New Hampshire’s lowest-income census tracts. This pedestrian bridge will connect the neighborhood to and a major employer, BAE, to the amenities and opportunities of downtown Nashua.
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Northumberland Public Safety Building
Request Amount: $2,400,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Northumberland
Full Address: 19 Main Street, Northumberland, NH 03582
Explanation of Request: This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer’s funds because it will provide a safe and essential operational space for first responders, improve the department’s ability to protect the community, and serve as a space for multi-department training. The project is regionally significant because it will be the largest department in the area and the ambulance operating out of the Public Safety Building will serve six surrounding towns.
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Salem Police Department Records Management System
Request Amount: $414,212 
Intended Recipient: Town of Salem
Full Address: 33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH 03079
Explanation of Request: This is a valuable use of taxpayers’ funds because this upgrade will help ensure the Department’s ability to carry out its critical law enforcement and public safety functions. The current record management system no longer receives updates and uses thirty-year-old computing software. Upgrading the Department’s record management system will improve the Department’s emergency response time, cross department data sharing, and expand community reporting services. 
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Walpole Fire and EMS Emergency Operations Center Project
Request Amount: $1,140,709
Intended Recipient: Town of Walpole
Full Address: 278 Main Street, Walpole, NH 03608
Explanation of Request: This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Walpole Fire Station needs many upgrades to comply with state and local building codes, provide adequate office space for first responders, increased space for ambulance operations, and space for a new Emergency Operations Center. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer’s funds because it will provide a safe and essential operational space for first responders and improve the department’s ability to protect and serve the regional population. In addition to improving emergency services for citizens in Walpole, the Fire and EMS personnel will serve surrounding communities, too.
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: MainStreet Warner Lodge Kitchen
Request Amount: $200,000
Intended Recipient: MainStreet Warner, Inc.
Full Address: 16 East Main Street, Warner, NH 03278
Explanation of Request:  Like many rural communities, Warner was hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic, MainStreet Warner has gone from serving 70 households to nearly 300. The number of households served rises each month. This project is a valuable use of taxpayers’ funds because it will create the first shared-use community kitchen for processing, storage, and distribution. The need for this community kitchen was identified as a high priority in a 2015 feasibility study authorized by the USDA Rural Business Enterprise and Capital Regional Development Council. The project will additionally stimulate the local economy by purchasing food from local farms and producers for the food insecure community. The upgraded kitchen will also allow farmers to create value-added food and products for the community, further strengthening the economy in Warner and surrounding towns. 
Certification Letter

 

Project Name: Whitefield Public Library Renovation and Expansion
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Whitefield Public Library
Full Address: 8 Lancaster Road, Whitefield, NH 03598
Explanation of Request: This project is a valuable use of taxpayers’ funds because it will directly benefit the residents of rural Whitefield and surrounding towns. There are three immediate benefits that I would like to highlight for the committee. First, the funding will allow the library to serve as a heating and cooling space during extreme weather. Whitefield is in the northern, remote part of our state, and there are no heating and cooling spaces within 20 miles. Creating a heating and cooling space will improve the health and welfare of the local community. Second, the project will allow the library to install an ADA accessible entrance and restrooms, allowing disabled and elderly community members to avail themselves of the service the library provides. Finally, the upgrades will allow the library to serve as a central meeting space for the community, which does not currently exist in the town, and is required for the town to conduct local business.
Certification Letter



Community Project Requests for Fiscal Year 2023


Project Name: New England College Nursing Program Expansion
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: New England College
Full Address: 98 Bridge Street, Henniker, NH 03242
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would be used to expand New England College’s capacity to educate and prepare highly trained nursing professionals. New Hampshire, much like the rest of the country, is facing a serious health care workforce shortage that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The renovation of the 35,250 square foot science facility at New England College will help allow the school to increase their program capacity from 40 students per cohort to 120 per cohort, tripling the number of Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs) and BSN-trained Registered Nurses. This is critical to address the important need for more health care professionals.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Nashua Public Library Plaza
Request Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Nashua
Full Address: 229 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would make important public safety and accessibility improvements to Nashua Public Library Plaza, which is currently in disrepair. Updates will include ADA compliant walkways, improved lighting for safety, easily maintained landscaping, access to outdoor power for events, an accessible playground, and water to sustain landscaping.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Northumberland Public Safety Facility Project
Request Amount: $2,625,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Northumberland
Full Address: 19 Main Street, Northumberland, NH 03582
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide resources to construct a much-needed Emergency Operation Center in the rural town of Northumberland, NH. The current facility is in a rented room and has no space for growth and is extremely inadequate. This facility will be critical to improving public safety in Northumberland and the surrounding communities.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Lincoln Emergency Operations Center
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Lincoln
Full Address: 148 Main Street, Lincoln, NH 03251
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would support the construction of a much-needed Emergency Operations Center in the rural town of Lincoln, NH. The facility would house the town of Lincoln’s Fire Department, Police Department, and emergency response personnel. This project has both local and regional significance because it will serve as a centralized dispatch center for both Lincoln Police and Fire, in addition to the Lin-Wood Ambulance service, and the Woodstock Police Department.
Certification Letter


Project Name: West Lebanon Main Street Sidewalk and Intersection Construction Project
Request Amount: $2,329,000
Intended Recipient: City of Lebanon
Full Address: 51 North Park Street, Lebanon, NH 03766
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would make critical investments in West Lebanon to revitalize a deteriorating downtown area that presently has some empty storefronts and underutilized properties. The project will improve pedestrian safety, improve traffic flow and cut down on traffic delays during peak periods, eliminate the present street flooding due to inadequate stormwater infrastructure and most importantly spark the economic revitalization of this downtown area. This project would contribute greatly to public safety and increase transportation and recreation options for residents and commuting workers.
Certification Letter


Project Name: New Hampshire Technical Institute Dental Program Modernization
Request Amount: $767,000
Intended Recipient: New Hampshire Technical Institute
Full Address: 31 College Drive, Concord, NH 03301
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would upgrade outdated equipment at New Hampshire Technical Institute’s (NHTI) dental hygiene program. Currently, NHTI’s equipment does not allow students to train on current industry equipment making these upgrades critical. Importantly, upgrading NHTI’s dental equipment will allow the expansion of their community dental care program. With high demand for hygienists and dental assistants this program is important for both the workforce and health care needs of New Hampshire.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Mid-State Health Center – Optimizing Health for Children and Their Parents
Request Amount: $750,000
Intended Recipient: Mid-State Health Center
Full Address: 101 Boulder Point Drive Site 1, Plymouth, NH 03264
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would expand Mid-State’s Community Health Center model to families with children, particularly women of reproductive age and their children. The funding would support an infrastructure improvement project that will allow Mid-State to deliver services including lactation support, physical therapy, behavioral health including child mental health, oral health, parent education, and enabling services in a specially designed space to support their complex needs. This includes pre- and post-natal care for mothers including those in need of substance use disorder treatment, primary medical care for pediatrics, adolescents, and their parents. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding access to mental and emotional support for children and families as well as substance misuse treatment will be critical.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Walpole Fire and EMS Emergency Operations Center Project
Request Amount: $2,677,500
Intended Recipient: Town of Walpole
Full Address: 278 Main Street, Walpole, NH 03608
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would support the construction of an Emergency Operations Center in the rural town of Walpole, NH. The Walpole Fire Station needs numerous upgrades to meet code compliance, provide adequate office space, increased space for the ambulance operations and space for an Emergency Operations Center. This center is essential and critical to provide the required public safety for ongoing operations, as well as having the capabilities to respond to natural disasters. These upgraded facility capabilities will provide a significant benefit not only to Walpole, but to all surrounding communities.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Swanzey Fire Station
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Swanzey
Full Address: 620 Old Homestead Highway, Swanzey, NH 03446
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide resources to construct a much needed Emergency Operation Center in the rural town of Swanzey, NH. Currently, the town of Swanzey’s Fire Department is located in the basement of the town hall and is undersized, does not meet health and life safety code requirements, and has a number of other challenges. This project would improve public safety and emergency response in Swanzey and the surrounding communities.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Rural Healthcare Simulation Training for Physician Assistant Students
Request Amount: $825,000
Intended Recipient: Franklin Pierce University
Full Address: 40 University Drive, Rindge, NH 03461
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would support Franklin Pierce University’s ability to recruit, train and graduate students from rural and medically underserved communities through their Rural Physician Assistant Program. New Hampshire, much like the rest of the country, is facing a serious health care workforce shortage that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These health care workforce challenges are felt most acutely in rural areas. These resources would help increase the exposure and training of PA students to realistic rural healthcare settings and scenarios, thereby increasing the level of interest, comfort and competency of new graduates to practice in those settings.
Certification Letter


Project Name: HealthFirst Family Center Infrastructure Equipment Renovation
Request Amount: $450,000
Intended Recipient: HealthFirst Family Care Center
Full Address: 841 Central Street, Franklin, NH 03235
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would support much needed infrastructure improvements to HealthFirst in Franklin, NH. HealthFirst provides primary care services to lower-to-moderate income families and is a critical resource in the region. These resources would allow HealthFirst to upgrade its 26 year old HVAC and ventilation system and support the facility's ability to safely and efficiently service its patients.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail Exit 9 Project
Request Amount: $1,203,000
Intended Recipient: Friends of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail
Full Address: PO Box 610, Warner, NH 03278
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will enhance public safety and transportation accessibility in Warner, NH. The project will create a safe pedestrian and cycling connection from one side of Interstate 89 to the other, reaching Warner’s major retail area known as the Intervale District and providing a critical link to Warner Village. The project connects people approaching the Intervale District from the west by creating a new multi‐use path under Interstate 89 bridges as they cross the Warner River. The result of the project will be increased economic activity for many of the businesses and employers in Warner, NH as well as an important public safety improvement.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Eastern Avenue Apartments – Affordable Housing Renovation
Request Amount: $250,000
Intended Recipient: CATCH Neighborhood Housing
Full Address: 105 Louden Road, Unit 1, Concord, NH 03301
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will help to address one of the biggest challenges facing the city of Concord, access to affordable housing. This project would renovate and preserve 14 units of low-income housing in Concord, including equipment, labor and materials for the complete reconfiguration of units, upgrade of all mechanical systems, and accessibility alterations. The Eastern Avenue Apartments were built in the 1930s and require a complete renovation to make them habitable and ADA compliant. This is an important project as a lack of affordable housing contributes to workforce and other challenges in the city and region.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Profile Safe Route to School Project
Request Amount: $419,250
Intended Recipient: Profile School
Full Address: 619 Profile Road, Bethlehem, NH 03574
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve public safety and promote economic development in the rural communities of Bethlehem and Franconia, NH. By connecting the town centers of Bethlehem and Franconia meeting at Profile School in the middle, the Profile Community Trail (PCT) and Profile Safe Route to School Project will provide a safe route for students to walk, bike and utilize other modes of self-propelled transportation to school. The connection between the towns of Bethlehem and Franconia will also serve to promote tourism and economic activity. The Route will be a combination of a newly built trail in the forest, upgraded XC Ski trails in forested land, restored forested trail, residential roads and a one mile section along Route 18. The route will be beginner friendly grades, widths and a safe human powered path.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Gorham Water and Sewage Infrastructure
Request Amount: $220,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Gorham
Full Address: 8 Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will make necessary improvements to the rural town of Gorham’s water infrastructure. The purpose of this project is to replace 1100’ of 6” Cast Iron force sewer main, which was installed in 1979 and in need of repair. The project would replace 6” cast iron with 8” HDPE from prior construction stopped up to the Berlin Gorham Road where it then turns to a gravity system. This project is important for updating and modernizing Gorham’s aging water infrastructure. 
Certification Letter

Community Project Requests for Fiscal Year 2022

Project Name: Connect Suicide Prevention Program
Request Amount: $380,470
Intended Recipient: National Alliance on Mental Illness – NH
Full Address: 85 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301
Explanation of Request: Recognizing the urgent need to deploy suicide prevention and post-vention resources to communities, NAMI NH requests funding to increase capacity to redesign and expand its nationally recognized Connect Suicide Prevention Program, including the eLearning component. Over 5,000 individuals participated in this asynchronous, web-based training in 2020 and demand continues to grow. NAMI NH will update existing modules, develop specialized modules to include audiences working with populations at risk of suicide, and ensure diverse communities are represented. This project will increase awareness of suicide prevention across NH, improving the health and safety of Granite Staters. Suicide is sadly the 2nd leading cause of death for New Hampshire youth ages 10 - 34, and from 1999-2016 New Hampshire witnessed nearly a 50% increase in suicides - the 3rd highest increase in the country. NAMI NH has a strong track record of working with community partners to design comprehensive and coordinated cross-systems approaches and programs to help at-risk youth and young adults with their mental health conditions. By securing funding through Community Project Funding, NAMI NH can further their mission of helping improve outcomes and reduce suicide incidents for at-risk youth in the Granite State.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Cotton Mill Transfer Bridge ADA Accessibility
Request Amount: $300,000
Intended Recipient: City of Nashua
Full Address: 229 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060
Explanation of Request: This project is to create an ADA accessible ramp off of the northerly side of the Cotton Mill Transfer Bridge. The Cotton Mill Transfer Bridge is a historic structure and was recently improved with an ADA accessible ramp on the southerly side of the bridge. Needless to state, this causes some consternation, because you can access and traverse bridge on one end, but not the other. Constructing the northerly accessible ramp is necessary to bring this old piece of infrastructure into compliance with our current standards. This project is in a low to moderate census tract and will predominantly serve low to moderate income individuals.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Families Flourish Northeast
Request Amount: $500,000
Intended Recipient: Families Flourish Northeast
Full Address: 127 Mascoma Street, Lebanon NH
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the certified non-profit will provide high intensity residential substance use treatment for pregnant and parenting women in a warm, supportive and safe environment that welcomes women with their children. A significant barrier for women and mothers with substance misuse disorders is the ability to bring their children with them to residential treatment facilities. New Hampshire has been hit incredibly hard by the opioid epidemic and evolving addiction crisis, and this project would create a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of so many Granite State women and their children.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Hanover Multi-Use Path
Request Amount: $350,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Hanover, NH
Full Address: PO Box 483, Hanover, NH 03755
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will enhance public safety and transportation accessibility through key parts of Hanover. The path would connect a busy elementary school and nursery school to other town path systems. This project would increase transportation options and improve public safety for children, families and seniors commuting to school and amenities in the surrounding neighborhoods. This project enjoys widespread community support and would be utilized during all seasons.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Keene Heritage Trail
Request Amount: $394,800
Intended Recipient: City of Keene
Full Address: 3 Washington Street, Keene, NH
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would be used for the construction and improvement of 4100 feet of the Keene Transportation Heritage Trail. This trail network will improve the quality, safety and functionality of the City’s transportation facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized users. Additionally, this expanded section of trail will serve as an important thoroughfare between the City of Keene and the Town of Swanzey. This is a key economic development project for the city of Keene as it will further transit connectivity to economic centers in Keene and enhance the community's alternative transportation network. The proposed rail trail improvements would expand the City's existing rail trail network and connect it to residential neighborhoods to improve the quality of life for city residents. Upon completion of additional sections of the rail trail, residents would be able to connect downtown Keene to three surrounding towns without the need to access a motorized vehicle. As such, this project would cut carbon pollution and improve air quality for city residents.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Mascoma Conservation Project - Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Request Amount: $5,000,000
Intended Recipient: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Full Address: 1849 C St NW, Washington, D.C.  20240 
Explanation of Request: This project is a priority for New Hampshire to expand access to outdoor recreation and conserve critical wildlife habitats. This project supports federal acquisition of a conservation easement by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) of more than 4,092 acres of priority lands in New Hampshire from a willing seller (Bear Hill Conservancy) as additions to the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Conte Refuge), which spans the four-state Connecticut River watershed. Investment of federal funds through LWCF in land conservation for national wildlife refuges and other federal holdings has been a national priority for more than fifty years. This is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars as it will expand recreational opportunities and tourism for all who enjoy the Conte Refuge and preserve critical wildlife habitats for species in the Northeast.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Mason Street Bridge
Request Amount: $600,000
Intended Recipient: Town of Berlin
Full Address: 168 Main Street, Berlin NH
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would finance the rehabilitation of a key piece of infrastructure for the community. The funding would be used to make critical repairs to the Mason Bridge which serves as a critical corridor between the City of Berlin’s east and west sides. The bridge requires serious repairs to ensure safety and functionality for city residents, businesses, and emergency services. This project is a priority for the City of Berlin and its emergency services departments. This is valuable use of taxpayer dollars as it will improve public safety within the community and maintain the ability for emergency services to quickly respond to incidents within the community without delay.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Mechanic Street Sidewalk Project
Request Amount: $290,250
Intended Recipient: Town of Lebanon NH
Full Address: 51 N Park Street, Lebanon, NH 03766
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would be used for the construction of a pedestrian sidewalk on Mechanic Street in Lebanon, NH. Currently, this section of road is heavily trafficked by both pedestrians and vehicles creating dangerous conditions on the roadway. The construction of sidewalks would contribute greatly to public safety and increase transportation and recreation options for residents and commuting workers.
Certification Letter


Project Name: North Country Council "Housing Ready" Program
Request Amount: $112,500
Intended Recipient: North Country Council
Full Address: 161 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561
Explanation of Request: This project will be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will be used for the delivery of targeted technical assistance to communities in New Hampshire’s North Country to support the development of housing options for low and moderate income households. This initiative addresses one of the most pressing challenges in Northern New Hampshire: lack affordable housing. The North Country Council’s proposal enjoys widespread support from communities in New Hampshire’s North Country.
Certification Letter


Project Name: Watermain Relocation Peterborough
Request Amount: $277,804
Intended Recipient: Town of Peterborough
Full Address: 1 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458
Explanation of Request: This project is a key priority for the town of Peterborough as it will increase connectivity and reliability of water for emergency and public uses. The repairs and relocation for this project will enhance the town's water distribution system and reduce the service interruptions that are frequently experienced by water users in the town. Ensuring that Peterborough's water system remains affordable for residents and businesses is important to meet the basic needs of the community and emergency situations. This project is a key priority for the town of Peterborough as it will increase connectivity and reliability of water for emergency and public uses. The repairs and relocation for this project will enhance the town's water distribution system and reduce the service interruptions that are frequently experienced by water users in the town. Ensuring that Peterborough's water system remains affordable for residents and businesses is important to meet the basic needs of the community and emergency situations.
Certification Letter