U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that New Hampshire agencies and organizations have been awarded $4,591,679 from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) for various projects that invest in economic and community development. This is $823,386 more for New Hampshire compared to last year's funding from the NBRC. Last week, Shaheen announced that she helped secure $35 million for the NBRC in bipartisan funding legislation for fiscal year (FY) 2022 that passed the committee and will next be considered by the full Senate, which is a $5 million increase above the FY2021 funding level and the highest the program has ever been funded.
The NBRC provides federal support throughout northern New Hampshire through grants that spur economic and community development in rural communities. Shaheen has led efforts in Congress that support and invest in the NBRC, and included her bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and expand the NBRC's reach in the Farm Bill that was signed into law in 2018. With support from Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), the legislation expanded the NBRC to include Cheshire County and communities in Belknap County. Shaheen has also worked to included language to ensure portions of NBRC funds be directed to assist rural communities affected by past mill closures, as well as support new markets and the infrastructure needs of the forest products industry. Last year, Shaheen led a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers including the NH Congressional Delegation calling for the inclusion of dedicated funding for the NBRC in COVID-19 relief legislation. In the government funding legislation signed into law in December, Shaheen and Hassan helped secure $30 million for the NBRC, which is a $5 million increase above the FY2020 funding level and the highest the program has ever been funded. That legislation also included a Shaheen and Hassan priority of eliminating the non-federal match requirement on FY2020 NBRC awards and future awards related to COVID-19 recovery, reducing potential hurdles to increased participation among eligible communities.
"Grants from the Northern Border Regional Commission support economic growth and development in rural communities throughout New Hampshire. That's why, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I've continuously fought to protect NBRC's mission and increase funding for its efforts. As our state continues its economic recovery from the pandemic, these funds are even more important now for our rural areas," said Senator Shaheen. "I'm very pleased to announce this year's funding, which will lift up our rural communities through projects that will strengthen workforce development opportunities in the Mt. Washington Valley, improve water infrastructure in Littleton, expand access to broadband internet to all residents in Sandwich and more. I'll continue to work across the aisle to secure the federal resources the NBRC needs to empower our rural communities."
"Rural communities in New Hampshire are home to breathtaking natural sites and vibrant downtowns that are crucial to our state's economic success," said Senator Hassan. "The Northern Border Regional Commission helps spur economic development in rural communities across New Hampshire, which is why we've worked to increase funding that can go directly into our state. This additional federal funding to communities will provide a much-needed boost, especially as we work to recover from the pandemic. I will keep working with the delegation to secure resources for rural New Hampshire that will help our families and businesses thrive."
"These Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) grants will bolster our local economy and support Granite State organizations as we continue to rebuild from COVID-19," said Representative Kuster. "I have been proud to help secure and expand funding for the NBRC over the years and will continue working to ensure our rural communities have the support they need to thrive."
"I'm pleased that the Northern Border Regional Commission has approved these projects to fund critical improvements to our water infrastructure, improve access to high-speed broadband, and support economic development and our workforce in rural communities across New Hampshire," said Representative Pappas. "I'm committed to continuing to fight to increase funding for the NBRC in order to support the needs of our rural communities."
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