Rural NH Communities & Businesses to Receive USDA Federal Funding to Expand Access to Clean Energy & Revitalize Local Infrastructure

(Manchester, NH) – Today, 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) applauded the announcement by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program that rural New Hampshire communities, farmers and businesses will receive federal funding that will help replace water and sewer system infrastructure, as well as increase access to renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency.

“From supporting small businesses and farmers to funding local infrastructure projects and expanding access to new technologies, the USDA’s Rural Development program has historically been a source of vital federal support for our rural Granite State communities,” said Senator Shaheen. “These investments will go a long way by helping Northumberland to replace its aging water and sewer infrastructure and assisting farmers and small business owners in boosting their energy efficiency. These federal investments in our local projects underscore why I’ve been a strong supporter of these programs. Providing our rural communities with the federal resources they need to thrive will continue to be a top priority for me in the Senate.”

“I am glad to announce this federal funding from the Rural Development program, which will help New Hampshire’s farmers and small businesses improve their energy efficiency, as well as provide much-needed infrastructure improvements to Northumberland,” Senator Hassan said. “I will continue working to ensure that New Hampshire’s rural communities have the support that they need.”  

“Investing in our state’s rural infrastructure – from local water systems to the renewable energy grid – is key to keeping our communities and citizens safe as we build back from this pandemic,” said Representative Kuster. “I’m thrilled the town of Northumberland as well as businesses and farms across the Granite State will receive funding from the USDA’s Rural Development grant program to renew local infrastructure and install energy efficient equipment. I will continue working in Congress to ensure our rural communities have the support and tools they need to thrive.”

“Investing in and rebuilding New Hampshire’s water infrastructure and developing renewable energy sources, especially in our rural communities, is critically important to improving our state’s health and economic well-being,” said Representative Chris Pappas. “These federal funds from USDA Rural Development are important to our communities and businesses and will help provide the resources and infrastructure they need to thrive.”

The town of Northumberland will receive an investment of $6,840,000 from USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal program to replace water and sewer mains that are undersized, aged and deteriorated. The funds will come in the form of a $5,119,000 federal loan and a grant of $1,721,000 that will allow the town to replace thousands of feet of sewer, storm drain as needed and make necessary improvements to its wastewater treatment facility. These improvements will help extend the life the town’s water and sewer infrastructure and reduce operation and maintenance costs.

In addition, five rural Granite State communities will receive a total of $53,142 from USDA Rural Development in support of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The federal dollars will be awarded through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to the small businesses and farms listed below: