Shaheen, Hassan & Kuster Applaud More than $168K in USDA Funding in Support of NH Rural Development Projects
(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 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program’s announcement that rural New Hampshire farmers, counties and communities will receive $168,321 in federal funding. The Rural Development program offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to create jobs and support economic development and essential services, such as housing, health care and first responder services in rural communities across the United States.
“I’m glad to welcome funding for crucial projects across New Hampshire, including a study in Coos County to help expand access to reliable, high-speed broadband internet and efforts to promote our beautiful North Country to visitors and businesses,” said Senator Shaheen. “These federal investments highlight why I’ve been a strong supporter of programs like USDA Rural Development. Providing our rural communities the federal resources they need to thrive will continue to be a top priority for me in the Senate.”
“New Hampshire’s rural communities are central to our state’s culture, tourism industry, and economy,” said Senator Hassan. “This federal funding will help Granite Staters thrive by funding a study that will help build out high speed internet access, as well providing federal funds for the local tourism and agricultural industries in our rural communities. I will continue working to secure federal funding for our communities throughout our great state and help them succeed in today’s 21st century economy.”
“Rural communities are the backbone of our Granite State economy, and this federal funding will support regional food producers, expand access to high-speed broadband, bolster professional and industry development programs, and help strengthen tourism to benefit local businesses,” said Congresswoman Kuster, a member of the House Rural Broadband Task Force. “I’m glad to see New Hampshire receiving these funds, and I will continue working in Congress to support USDA Rural Development and ensure all of our communities have the support they need to thrive.”
The following projects in rural New Hampshire have received a total of $168,321 from USDA’s Rural Development program:
|
Entity |
Community |
Project |
Amount |
|
Taproot Farm & Environmental Education Center |
Lancaster |
This Rural Development investment will be used to help expand a local food hub by renovating 3,000 square feet on the first floor of the Parker J. Noyes historic building. Specifically, funds will also be used to purchase equipment (i.e., freezers, fridge, dishwasher) for use in the food hub that supports 100 agricultural producers. |
$30,000 |
|
Coos County |
|
This Rural Development investment will be used to fund a broadband study for Coos County, N.H. The study will compile, gather and analyze available data to determine where there is broadband coverage, if the service is affordable, reliable, and whether any broadband service currently available meets the needs of businesses. The data will be mapped to better define what is needed to implement an accessible and affordable fiber network throughout the county. |
$30,000 |
|
Town of Bethlehem |
Bethlehem |
This Rural Development investment will be used to fund a marketing campaign highlighting the Town of Bethlehem, N.H. in an effort to attract new residents, visitors and businesses to the area. |
$30,000 |
|
Sullivan County |
|
This Rural Development investment will be used to create a regional branding and marketing plan for all of Sullivan County, N.H. |
$27,000 |
|
Town of Winchester |
Winchester |
This Rural Development investment will be used to provide maintenance for the Ashuelot Rail Trail located in Winchester, N.H. Maintenance will include clearing and removing brush, replacing culvert pipes and improving a parking area. The result of this investment will entice tourism to the town of Winchester, thereby increasing foot traffic to businesses in the rail trail area. |
$26,321 |
|
Sullivan County |
|
This Rural Development investment will assist in implementing the Sullivan County Adult Education program at Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Centers in the Towns of Claremont and Newport, N.H. Specifically, funds will go toward supplies and teaching the follow adult education offerings: welding, plumbing, machine tooling, and agriculture. Courses will run for 48 hours over eight weeks and will supply the skills required to match participants with local companies that are hiring. |
$25,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$168,321.00 |
