Oudoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund

In March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law, which provides $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus funding towards relief efforts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. $750 million of this funding was directed to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for distribution through the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. The State of New Hampshire received $8,360,978.00, this funding will be used for tourism development and a new program called the New Hampshire Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund (ORIF).

The ORIF seeks to enhance outdoor recreation amenities that add to New Hampshire’s quality of life, attracts visitors, and improves the vibrancy of our communities. From the north woods and peaks of the White Mountains to the shorelines of our lakes and rivers all the way to the coast, New Hampshire is blessed with diversity of natural assets. These assets support an economy and a way of life, loved by residents and visitors alike. The ORIF Fund invests in conservation-minded pre-development and development projects that are open to the public, increase access to outdoor opportunities, and demonstrate a clear economic benefit to the community through improved quality of live, better public health outcomes, and/or increased tourism.

The funds will be dispersed through a competitive grant program, more details on the grant program.