New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Welcomes Over $9 Million in Northern Border Regional Commission Funding for Granite State Projects

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee , and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), welcomed over $9 million in federal funding for projects across New Hampshire through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). The funding was awarded through the NBRC’s Catalyst Program, Forest Economy Program and Timber for Transit Program. “For nearly two decades, the Northern Border Regional Commission has been a critical partner in strengthening our state’s rural communities through federal investment and economic development,” said Senator Shaheen. "It is great to see this new funding released, which will invest in our workforce, fund infrastructure improvements, enhance outdoor recreation and forest industries, support New Hampshire’s rural health care system, increase the supply of affordable child care and so much more.” “These federal investments – which include upgrades to aging water systems and new apprenticeship opportunities for young Granite Staters – will make a real difference for rural communities across New Hampshire,” said Senator Hassan. “I’m grateful to partner with the Northern Border Regional Commission to help ensure that rural Granite Staters have the resources and opportunities that they need to thrive.” “The Northern Border Regional Commission drives economic and community development across New Hampshire. This funding will support projects to strengthen our child care workforce and services, bolster first responder recruitment, upgrade our water infrastructure, support community spaces and outdoor recreation, and more,” said Congressman Pappas. “These are smart investments in our state that will create more good-paying jobs, help our communities, and invest in our future. I’ll always support projects that grow our local economy and improve quality of life for Granite Staters.” “From strengthening emergency response and expanding childcare to supporting small businesses, rebuilding downtowns, and investing in our outdoor and forest economies, these grants will help our rural communities build lasting opportunity for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “I will never stop fighting to make sure every community in New Hampshire gets the federal resources they need to thrive.” NBRC encourages business retention and expansion, invests in public infrastructure and promotes tourism to New Hampshire and other states across the region. This vital federal-state partnership powers both economic and community development and provides grant funding to communities within Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton and Sullivan counties. NBRC’s Catalyst program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives including projects that modernize and expand access to public water and wastewater services, revitalize transportation infrastructure, establish workforce development programs and facilities, grow the outdoor recreation economy and provide access to new childcare and health care facilities. The Forest Economy Program supports efforts to advance the region’s forest-based economy, while the NBRC’s Timber for Transit program funds efforts to advance the use of wood-based materials in transportation and transportation infrastructure. Shaheen and Hassan have led efforts in Congress that support and invest in the NBRC. A senior member of the Senate Appropriations committee and Ranking Member of the Ag-FDA Appropriations subcommittee, Shaheen secured $42 million in federal funding for the NBRC in the bipartisan Fiscal Year (FY) 26 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and an additional $8 million in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026 . A list of the New Hampshire projects awarded funding in today’s announcement is available below. NBRC Spring Catalyst Program Awards Grantee Purpose Amount Upper Valley Snowsports Foundation To replace the haul rope on Whaleback Mountain’s chairlift, the sole lift serving the upper half of the ski area. The project’s objectives are to ensure safe, reliable operations, preserve the nonprofit’s financial viability, and retain local winter recreation employment. Completion before the 2026–27 season helps sustain a key community asset and supports workforce retention in the Upper Valley. $137,688 New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services To rehabilitate and replace the deteriorated Belmont Forcemain, a 2.5-mile regional sewer pipeline experiencing corrosion-related failures and sanitary sewer overflows. The project will protect nearby drinking water sources, reduce disruptions to businesses and Route 140 traffic, and mitigate environmental and public-health risks. Modernizing this critical asset will restore resilience while helping avoid steep sewer-rate increases that could impede local growth in Belmont and Northfield. $2,000,000 North Country Community Recreation Center To construct a pre-engineered metal roof over the outdoor rink and walking track, creating a versatile, all-weather community gathering space. Objectives include foundations, lighting, bleacher area, and utility integration to host large events and leverage proximity to ATV/snowmobile trails, the rail trail, and downtown amenities. The project transforms a shuttered facility into a multi-use recreation hub that drives tourism and strengthens local economic vitality. $1,000,000 IBEW Local 490 JATC To upgrade training equipment and remove first-year financial barriers (standard toolkits and laptops) for New Hampshire’s only registered union electrical apprenticeship program. The initiative enhances hands-on participation, aligns instruction with modern jobsite standards, and supports an earn-while-you-learn model that trains at least 102 apprentices annually statewide. By improving retention and readiness, the project expands the pipeline of skilled electricians for rural communities and high-growth projects. $368,000 Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire To construct a 5,400-square-foot childcare facility in West Lebanon that creates 50 new slots for infants through pre-K. The center includes water/sewer connections, parking, and a playground adjacent to district offices, supporting families’ workforce participation and employer retention. By addressing acute childcare shortages in the Upper Valley, the project strengthens economic vitality and public health. $1,000,000 Collaborative Solid Waste Strategies To conduct a feasibility study for an Advanced Materials Recovery Facility in Claremont’s Wheelabrator corridor. Using the STOMP framework, the study will assess site options, regional tonnage and processing capacity, material off-takers, and financial modeling to determine viability for a facility capable of substantial throughput, job creation, and revenue from recovered materials. It responds to diminishing landfill capacity and high tipping fees by evaluating an eco-industrial approach that combines advanced separation with onsite manufacturing, supported by a 36-month public education and engagement effort. $100,000 Moreno Valley Cultural Arts Foundation To complete renovations, equip an Entrepreneur Resource Center and Small Business Incubator/Accelerator, and enhance outreach from its Northumberland location. The project delivers technology, office pods, 3D printing and scanning, a food prep station, and volunteer training leading to certifications that support logistics, agriculture, and small business careers. With the ERC operational since February 2026, these investments accelerate workforce re-engagement and entrepreneurial participation in a highly distressed rural area. $273,696.40 Evergreen Start To deploy shared back-office infrastructure that stabilizes and expands licensed childcare capacity across Coös, Grafton, and Carroll counties. The three-year project onboards 2–4 providers in Year 1, scaling to 6–10 providers and supporting approximately 200–300 slots, with services including financial management, compliance tracking, cash-flow forecasting, and workforce-linked reporting. By reducing volatility and enabling measured expansion, the initiative protects workforce participation and strengthens employer retention in rural New Hampshire. $500,000 North Country Education Services Agency To launch TeachNorth, a two-year internship stipend program designed to reduce financial barriers for 25 preservice teachers completing full-time student teaching in northern New Hampshire. Objectives include cohort-based professional development, mentor networking, and retention supports to lower current internship attrition from 25–33% to below 5% and increase licensure completion. The project strengthens educator workforce pipelines and improves long-term regional economic stability by addressing shortages in distressed and rural districts. $268,205 Mountain Village Charter School For the Mountain Village Community Commons, a dual-use outdoor recreation and education site along the Baker River in Plymouth, New Hampshire. The project delivers trails, river access, and shared gathering spaces designed for school-day programming and year-round public use, fostering tourism, health, and community connection. Shovel-ready site improvements advance NBRC priorities by strengthening local quality of life and rural economic resilience. $600,000 Town of Westmoreland To transform Town Hall into a fully accessible, multi-use hub that supports small business activity, workforce training, and community events. Objectives include installing an ADA lift, accessible restroom, commercial kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, and stage improvements to enable instructional programs and civic gatherings. Building on more than $218,995.00 already invested, the project ensures a year-round anchor for economic and social participation. $218,995 Franklin Opera House To install theatrical lighting, sound, and AV systems and to complete balcony seating as part of facility improvements coordinated with the City of Franklin. The upgrades professionalize performance capability, enhance accessibility, and support cultural programming that drives downtown visitation. By leveraging an established community arts asset, the project stimulates tourism and local business activity. $197,215 The Keene Downtown Group For “Dig Into Keene,” a construction disruption mitigation initiative supporting 95 downtown businesses and approximately 825 jobs during a three-year, $499,749.73.8 million infrastructure rebuild. Objectives include coordinated marketing and PR, wayfinding, business support services, a festival series to drive foot traffic, and a spending-data platform to track outcomes. The project stabilizes revenue and preserves small businesses throughout the multi-year construction period, building a replicable model for rural economic resilience. $499,749.73 St. Kieran Community Center To install modern sound and lighting systems with staff and volunteer training in its main performance and gathering space. The upgrades ensure safe, reliable operations for arts, education, workforce events, civic forums, and community meetings. A one-time capital investment delivers long-term benefits and supports downtown Berlin’s cultural and economic ecosystem. $131,000 Granite State Adaptive To complete Phase II infrastructure at its adaptive equestrian and recreation facility in Wolfeboro. The project funds a tractor, utility UTV, and specialized waterless arena footing to maintain ADA-accessible trails, enhance safety, and assure year-round operations with reduced environmental impact. These improvements expand capacity to serve youth, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and the broader community. $175,000 Milan & Dummer Ambulance Service To launch the Coös County EMS Career Catalyst Initiative addressing severe provider shortages in New Hampshire’s North Country. The project’s objectives are to recruit unlicensed residents into emergency medicine and remove financial barriers by covering instruction, certification materials, and clinical supplies while embedding an “earn-while-you-learn” preceptorship for supervised, on-the-job training. By building local licensure pathways and real-world competencies, the initiative strengthens rural healthcare resilience and stabilizes the regional emergency response workforce. $320,000 Discover Sugar River Region To establish a Rural Experience Enterprise Development & Coordination Initiative that trains local hosts, standardizes offerings, and deploys a digital platform to market revenue-generating experiences. Objectives include cohort-based training and individualized technical assistance to launch 8–12 contract-ready enterprises rooted in regional assets—heritage, agriculture, arts, and outdoor recreation—plus integrated searchability, booking, and stewardship messaging. The coordinated system enables micro-enterprise participation in the visitor economy, diversifies rural revenue, and creates replicable infrastructure for county-wide expansion. $418,316 Mill City Park at Franklin Falls To construct a revenue-generating campground facility and improved recreational amenities that complement New England’s only whitewater park on the Winnipesaukee River. The project includes an outdoor kitchen, bath/shower facility, lighting, access road, and 20 campsites, expanding lodging capacity near downtown Franklin. These improvements boost tourism, sustain park operations, and enhance the visitor experience tied to competition and daily whitewater use. $390,151 Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission To conduct Phase 3 investigations identifying a third well location for the Epsom Village Water District. Activities include geophysical surveys in Groundwater Development Zone EPS-SG7, installation of three-inch test wells, and preliminary hydrogeologic testing to select a preferred production site. The project expands source capacity to support planned growth along Routes 202/4 and 28, building on investigatory work completed since 2020. $40,000 NBRC Forest Economy Program New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association For a three-year workforce and business capacity initiative that strengthens recruitment, training, and retention across the forest economy. Activities include expanding the Professional Logging Program, developing employer-driven industry-recognized credentials and apprenticeships with UNH, building a statewide workforce hub (nhwoodjobs.com), and delivering employer HR support with the SBDC. By aligning credentials, modernizing training with forest technology and data-driven practices, and engaging youth and nontraditional talent pipelines, the project will reduce hiring risk, accelerate time-to-hire, and fortify forest-dependent rural communities. $454,441 NBRC Timber for Transit Program Northern Forest Center For a feasibility project to redesign up to 100 wooden trail bridges and related structures—boardwalks and stairs—using mass timber where appropriate. Through a competitive process, up to 25 trail networks in distressed communities will receive site-specific redesigns, cost estimates, permitting needs, action plans, and technical assistance. The project will also deliver sourcing resources for domestic wood and train trail managers and designers, broadly publicizing climate-resilient planning and mass timber use in outdoor infrastructure. $227,638 ###