Fifteen critically important projects across New Hampshire will share $8 million in federal funding awarded by the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Catalyst Fund program, which supports economic development initiatives in rural communities across four states.
“The Northern Border Regional Commission is a vital partner in strengthening New Hampshire’s rural communities, and I’m proud to recognize this year’s Catalyst Fund grant recipients from our state, said Governor Kelly Ayotte. “From strengthening rural hospitals, to childcare workforce initiatives, to helping businesses grow, these grants will advance important projects and help deliver a brighter future for all of New Hampshire.”
Established by Congress in 2008, the NBRC is a federal-state partnership focused on addressing economic challenges and advancing long-term opportunity in northern Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. In New Hampshire, eligible regions include all or parts of Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, and Sullivan Counties. The Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) administers NBRC’s programs for New Hampshire, providing technical assistance throughout the year to communities and organizations to apply for, and develop, programs.
“These projects reflect exactly what the Catalyst program is designed to do—help communities turn their priorities into tangible progress,” said James Key-Wallace, BEA Interim Commissioner. “We’re proud to support local leaders and visionaries who are strengthening their economies, advancing critical infrastructure, and building the foundation for long-term growth. New Hampshire’s rural communities have extraordinary potential, and this year’s investments will help unlock even more of it.”
The following projects will receive funding under the latest round of funding to Catalyst program:
- Speare Memorial Hospital, Plymouth: Receiving $500,000 toward renovating one of its buildings into workforce housing for contract workers and new hires, for up to 12 new employees per year; Speare serves 23 local communities and employees over 500 people in Plymouth.
- Cottage Hospital, Haverhill: Receiving $1 million to renovate, modernize, and expand three operating rooms, which will increase capacity for surgical services and generate new revenue for the hospital, which serves 40 communities.
- Mascoma Valley Preservation, Grafton: Receiving $400,000 to complete renovations to the Grafton Center Meetinghouse, to include non-profit owned and managed store space and public access infrastructure for the nearby rail trail, and the Kimball Mill property, including workshop space and booths for tradespeople and historic preservationists.
- Appalachian Mountain Club, Pinkham’s Grant: Receiving $440,360 to convert and connect existing trail sections at its Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and Highland Center in Crawford Notch into all-persons trails, increasing the accessibility of outdoor recreation assets for North Country residents and visitors.
- Acworth Historical Society: Receiving $350,000 to renovate the Acworth Village Store to prepare it against future flooding and natural disasters, as well as expand and promote the market in the state, increasing access for small businesses to sell their products.
- Town of Ashland: Receiving $50,000 to conduct a feasibility study and planning cycle for development of town-owned waterfront on Little Squam Lake.
- Town of Plymouth: Receiving $29,000 to complete a lighting and wayfinding signage study of the downtown to further improve safety and economic development goals.
- The Well Collaborative NH, Claremont: Receiving $821,000 to renovate an historic church into an entrepreneurial center with childcare, public meeting space, and a commercial kitchen to support local food businesses. The childcare center will host 34 slots, above the15 lost when a previous center in the space was closed.
- Rise for Baby and Family, Keene: Receiving $288,500 to launch its Complete Pathway to Career Initiative, a coordinated, evidence-based strategy to strengthen the early childhood education workforce in Cheshire County.
- Keene Day Care Center: Receiving $893,000 to renovate, modernize and upgrade its existing facility, as well as train and certify seven additional childcare workers and add 20 childcare slots to its existing 70.
- Historic Harrisville: Receiving $1 million to renovate a downtown vacant mill into restaurant and pub space, as well as upgrade an aging wastewater system, with a goal of increasing visitor interest in the town.
- Tritown Bike Friendly Community: Receiving $624,000 to link the downtowns of Bethlehem, Franconia, and Littleton with accessible non-motorized trails, constructed by a professional trails crew.
- Continuum Foundation: Receiving $1 million to complete the expansion of the Merriman House nursing home in North Conway, creating 70 new skilled jobs and increasing healthcare capacity.
- City of Claremont: Receiving $430,000 to improve the Synergy and Joy sites along the Sugar River in the city, including site work, landscaping, drainage and construction for accessible pedestrian paths.