New Hampshire Delegation Welcomes More than $9 Million for Granite State Projects Through Northern Border Regional Commission
(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), welcomed more than $9 million in federal funding for Granite State projects through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). Today’s awards are funded through NBRC’s Fall 2025 Catalyst, Timber for Transit and Forest Economy programs.
“The Northern Border Regional Commission is an essential partner helping to ensure that rural communities across the Granite State get their fair share of federal resources,” said Senator Shaheen. “The awards announced today will improve rural health care facilities, bolster and grow the northern outdoor economy, strengthen access to child care and much more. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding for New Hampshire and increased funding for NBRC programs in the recently passed Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill that I lead.”
“I’m glad to see federal funding heading to New Hampshire’s rural communities to expand health care facilities, hire more child care providers, and support other critical projects that will improve our economy,” said Senator Hassan. “The Northern Border Regional Commission’s investments in communities across our state will help more Granite Staters get the resources that they need to thrive.”
“Smart investments into New Hampshire communities through the Northern Border Regional Commission help drive economic and community development. This federal funding is headed to local projects that will strengthen our child care workforce and services, expand health care access, bolster workforce housing, support our outdoor recreation and tourism economy, upgrade our water infrastructure, and more,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’ll always support projects like these that boost our communities and economy, create more good-paying jobs, and invest in our future.”
“Granite Staters work hard and show up for one another. These investments reflect that same spirit and are a big win for communities across New Hampshire,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “From protecting our rural hospitals and expanding childcare access to supporting our farmers, foresters, small businesses, historic centers, and outdoor heritage, these awards will help keep New Hampshire vibrant and our economy strong. I will continue fighting to make sure every community across our state has the tools it needs to thrive.”
NBRC encourages business retention and expansion, invests in public infrastructure and promotes tourism across northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. This vital federal-state partnership for economic and community development 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 Timber for Transit program funds efforts to advance the use of wood-based materials in transportation and transportation infrastructure. The Forest Economy Program supports efforts to advance the region’s forest-based economy.
Shaheen and Hassan have led efforts in Congress that support and invest in the NBRC. As ranking member of the Ag-FDA Appropriations subcommittee, Shaheen recently secured a $500,000 increase in funding for the NBRC through the Ag-FDA FY 26 funding legislation recently signed into law by President Trump. Shaheen also secured inclusion of an additional $5 million increase in funding for NBRC through the Senate draft FY 26 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill.
A list of the New Hampshire projects awarded funding in today’s announcement is available below.
NBRC Catalyst Program Awards
|
Grantee |
Purpose |
Amount |
|
Speare Memorial Hospital |
Speare Memorial Hospital has been awarded $500,000.00 to renovate a hospital-owned building in Plymouth, NH, into three transitional housing units for healthcare staff. The project aims to address workforce housing shortages, support recruitment and retention, and ensure continuity of care. This initiative aligns with NBRC’s goals for basic public infrastructure and workforce stabilization. |
$500,000 |
|
Cottage Hospital |
Cottage Hospital has been awarded $1,000,000.00 to upgrade its operating room, post-anesthesia care unit, and telecommunications systems to improve healthcare delivery in rural New Hampshire. The project will enhance patient safety, support workforce recruitment, and increase access to healthcare. These improvements will position the hospital as a modern, resilient healthcare provider for the region. |
$1,000,000 |
|
Appalachian Mountain Club |
The Appalachian Mountain Club has been awarded $440,360.43 to build two All Persons Trails at Pinkham Notch and Crawford Notch in New Hampshire. These ADA-compliant trails will provide improved access to outdoor recreation and serve as models for sustainable trail design and workforce training. The project supports tourism, health, and accessibility in the White Mountains region. |
$440,360.43 |
|
Mascoma Valley Preservation |
Mascoma Valley Preservation has been awarded $400,000.00 to complete rehabilitation of two historic properties in Grafton, NH, for small business incubation and outdoor recreation. The project includes a general store, community center, and trail access improvements to support tourism and economic activity. This initiative blends historic preservation with rural revitalization and workforce development. |
$400,000 |
|
Acworth Historical Society |
The Acworth Historical Society has been awarded $268,311.00 to modernize and expand the Acworth Village Store, a historic general store and community hub. The project will improve flood resilience, energy efficiency, and ADA accessibility, supporting local farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs. It aims to preserve a vital economic and social institution in rural New Hampshire. |
$268,311 |
|
Town of Ashland |
The Town of Ashland has been awarded $50,000.00 to conduct a feasibility study for redeveloping its beachfront on Little Squam Lake to boost tourism and economic activity. The study will assess recreational enhancements, business opportunities, and infrastructure needs, including an environmental assessment. This project supports outdoor recreation, community development, and aligns with New Hampshire’s tourism strategy. |
$50,000 |
|
Town of Plymouth |
The Town of Plymouth has been awarded $28,702.57 to conduct a feasibility study for energy-efficient downtown lighting and wayfinding improvements along Main Street. The study will assess safety, energy savings, and economic impacts while developing a detailed implementation plan. This project supports infrastructure planning and downtown revitalization in a rural, distressed community. |
$28,702.57 |
|
Well Collaborative NH |
The Well Collaborative NH has been awarded $821,353.60 to repurpose a historic church in Claremont, NH into a community hub offering childcare, a commercial kitchen, and public meeting space. The project addresses local economic needs by supporting working families, food-based entrepreneurs, and community programming. It revitalizes a key downtown property and strengthens the social and economic fabric of the region. |
$821,353.60 |
|
Rise for Baby and Family |
Rise for Baby and Family has been awarded $288,493.96 to expand its Complete Pathway to Career initiative, supporting early childhood educators in Cheshire County, NH. The project will provide credentialing support, career advising, and mentorship to address staffing shortages and improve childcare access. This initiative strengthens the childcare workforce and supports regional economic participation by working families. |
$288,493.96 |
|
Keene Day Care Center |
Keene Day Care Center has been awarded $892,847.00 to create 20 new childcare slots and preserve 70 existing ones through facility improvements and staff training. The project includes HVAC upgrades, window replacements, and sprinkler installation to ensure a safe and energy-efficient environment. This initiative supports early childhood education, workforce participation, and community well-being. |
$892,847 |
|
Historic Harrisville |
Historic Harrisville Inc. has been awarded $1,000,000.00 to upgrade the village's outdated wastewater system and redevelop a vacant mill building into new commercially viable and public meeting spaces. The project will create 25 new jobs, preserve historic infrastructure, and support tourism and business development in Cheshire County. It also ensures continued operation of essential services like childcare and the community center. |
$1,000,000 |
|
Tritown Bike Friendly Community |
The Tritown Bike Friendly Community has been awarded $624,000.00 to build the Profile Community Trail, connecting Bethlehem, Franconia, and Littleton with year-round, off-road access. The trail will support cyclo-tourism and enhance health and economic development in the North Country. It will also link existing mountain biking networks and regional trails into a comprehensive system. |
$624,000 |
|
Continuum Foundation |
Continuum Foundation has been awarded $1,000,000.00 to construct a new assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facility in North Conway, NH. The project will address the loss of long-term care beds in the region and create 89 healthcare jobs. This investment will expand rural healthcare access, support aging in place, and strengthen the local economy. |
$1,000,000 |
|
Sullivan County Conservation District |
The Sullivan County Conservation District has been awarded $250,000.00 to establish a shared-use food processing hub in Unity, NH, to support farmers and food entrepreneurs. The facility will include a commercial kitchen, training programs, and equipment to expand market access and value-added production. This project supports workforce development, small business growth, and regional food system resilience. |
$250,000 |
|
City of Claremont |
The City of Claremont has been awarded $430,000.00 to advance the Sugar River Revitalization and Brownfields Redevelopment Project by improving pedestrian access and preparing sites for community and commercial use. The project will transform a remediated brownfield into a riverwalk and public gathering space. This initiative supports outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic development in Sullivan County. |
$430,000 |
Forest Economy Program Awards
|
New Hampshire Department of Transportation |
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has been awarded $1,000,000.00 to revitalize a state-owned rail facility in Whitefield, NH, transforming it into a small-scale transload hub for forest products. The project will reduce transportation costs, support supply chain resilience, and open new markets for the regional forest industry. It aligns with NBRC’s Forest Economy Program by enhancing infrastructure critical to rural economic development. |
$1,000,000 |
NBRC Timber for Transit Program Awards
|
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation |
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation has been awarded $1,940,715.00 to lead a multistate demonstration of nanocellulose-enhanced concrete in transportation infrastructure. The project will construct eight pilot installations across the Northern Border region, including in New Hampshire, showcasing the environmental and economic benefits of using timber-derived materials. It aims to catalyze commercialization of nanocellulose, support regional forestry jobs, and reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects. |
$1,940,715 |
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