The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) on Wednesday (11/12) recognized the Town of Newmarket as a Housing Champion for its leadership and commitment to addressing the state’s housing needs through its innovative local policies and partnerships.
Newmarket earned the designation from BEA’s InvestNH housing program for taking meaningful action to expand affordable and accessible housing actions that align with community goals. It is one of 10 communities receiving this designation for their proactive approaches to land use, zoning, and permitting that encourage housing development while maintaining local character. With the 18 designated communities designated in 2024, this brings the total designated communities to 28.
“Newmarket exemplifies what it means to be a Housing Champion,” said Andrew Dorsett, program director of InvestNH. “The town has shown real leadership in creating housing solutions that reflect both local priorities and statewide needs. Communities like Newmarket are vital to ensuring that New Hampshire remains a place where people can live and work.”
As part of the Housing Champions initiative, BEA awarded $5 million statewide through 11 grants that supported 2,700 new housing units. The housing production grant realized the completion of approximately 400 housing units. The infrastructure improvement grants supported the production of 2,300 new housing units, helping communities move forward with projects that will increase workforce housing and encourage economic growth.
The Housing Champions program, established in 2023, is another key component of the state’s strategy to help communities address housing challenges through innovative, locally driven policies. InvestNH, established in 2022, supported creation of nearly 5,000 housing units and provided technical assistance to more than 70 municipalities across the state.
About the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA):
The Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the State of New Hampshire while promoting it as a destination for domestic and international visitors. BEA oversees programs in economic development, international commerce, outdoor recreation industry development, planning and community development, travel and tourism, visitor services, and workforce development. For more information, visit
www.nheconomy.com.