On Heels of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Becoming Law, NH Delegation Announces $25M in Federal Funds for Manchester Infrastructure Project
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) – a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee – and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced that the City of Manchester will receive $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to transform its South Millyard area and improve the movement of people and goods at the center of the Queen City. The federal grant, which members of the congressional delegation supported, will be allocated through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. This award for the City of Manchester ties New Mexico for the largest RAISE grant in the country this year. This announcement comes on the heels of the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law yesterday and just ahead of the President’s visit to Woodstock to tout the Granite State priorities secured in the legislation, where he’ll be joined by the New Hampshire congressional delegation.
“It has been a good week for New Hampshire businesses and working families. On the heels of the bipartisan infrastructure bill becoming law, I’m thrilled to welcome this robust federal grant to reform and revitalize the Manchester Millyard,” said Senator Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and advocate for this grant. “The Manchester Millyard is a hub of innovation, educational institutions, restaurants, shopping and more, which is why we need to capitalize on this economic engine by improving transportation in and out of the area. These federal dollars will provide the support necessary for the Queen City to complete its transportation corridor so we can ensure swift and efficient movement of people, goods and services to and from the center. The RAISE grant program is an important funding tool to support New Hampshire projects, which is why I’ll continue to fight for increased federal investments as the government funding process gets underway.”
“This is terrific news for everyone who lives and works in Manchester – we know what a difference infrastructure investments can make in our local economies. This funding will improve the economically vibrant Manchester Millyard, helping it continue to serve as a center of economic growth and innovation in our state,” said Senator Hassan. “I was glad to advocate in support of Manchester’s application for this grant and will continue working to ensure that communities in New Hampshire have the support that they need to improve their downtowns, create jobs, and strengthen their economies.”
"This has been a consequential week for our nation and our state with the signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package yesterday, and with the wonderful news of this Department of Transportation grant, the future of New Hampshire has never looked brighter," said Representative Kuster. "This federal funding will make transportation in and out of our region easier, bolster our economy, and expand opportunities for Granite Staters."
"This game-changing federal grant will do more than fund key infrastructure and transportation projects in Manchester - it will make a down payment on creating the kind of bright future that is possible when we make smart, forward-looking investments that create jobs, spur economic development, and improve quality of life," said Representative Pappas. "Manchester is New Hampshire’s largest city, home to the largest airport in Northern New England, and is a cultural and economic hub for surrounding communities. This RAISE grant project will serve the city, its residents, and those in surrounding communities, and I'm pleased that I was able to help deliver these funds to my hometown. Let's get to work."
"For three years, we worked diligently on this grant -- so I am absolutely thrilled the City of Manchester was awarded $25 million, the most of any city in the county. This project will mitigate traffic congestion, provide increased transportation options including biking and walking trails and a pedestrian bridge over Granite Street and create opportunities for development throughout South Elm Street," said Mayor Joyce Craig. "This is a big deal for the City of Manchester. This is an incredible opportunity and I want to thank the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, everyone at the Department of Public Works, Fuss & O'Neill, our federal delegation, Secretary Buttigieg, and everyone else who made this possible."
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Shaheen historically secures robust funding for the RAISE grant program, which is formerly known as the BUILD or TIGER grant programs. In the fiscal year 2021 government funding legislation that was signed into law, Shaheen worked to include $1 billion for the RAISE program.
The bipartisan infrastructure deal that Shaheen and Hassan helped negotiate included $7.5 billion for the grant program. Senator Shaheen was a lead negotiator on provisions of the historic infrastructure bill that address water infrastructure and broadband, and successfully included key provisions from her bipartisan energy efficiency legislation with Senator Portman (R-OH). Senator Hassan negotiated provisions that address coastal resiliency, high-speed internet expansion, passenger rail and cybersecurity.
