Shaheen Receives Briefing on Jaffrey-Peterborough Water Infrastructure Project Supported by NBRC Funds

**Shaheen-Authored Legislation Expanded the NBRC to Include Cheshire County, Making Additional Support Possible**

Shaheen hears more from Jaffrey and Peterborough town officials and stakeholders about the Cold Stone Spring Water Treatment Plant project and how it will help expand access to clean water for local residents.

Later in Keene: Shaheen Calls for Additional Relief for NH Small Businesses during Visit to Electronic Imaging Materials

Shaheen hears more from Alex Henkel, President of Electronic Imaging Materials, about the high-quality label products the firm produces.

(Manchester, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) received a briefing on the Cold Stone Spring Water Treatment Plant project, a joint effort between the Towns of Jaffrey and Peterborough to create a new water source for residents of both municipalities. Shaheen met with Jaffrey and Peterborough town officials, as well as representatives from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs and Millipore-Sigma, a bioscience manufacturer located in Jaffrey. The project is supported by funding in this year’s NBRC Economic & Infrastructure Development grant awards. The NBRC provides federal support throughout New Hampshire and funds grants that spur economic and community development in rural communities. Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has been instrumental in securing NBRC funding for New Hampshire on an annual basis, despite efforts from the Trump administration to eliminate the program. Thanks to legislation introduced by Shaheen, the 2018 Farm Bill that was signed into law extended the NBRC’s reach to include Cheshire County. During the briefing, Shaheen heard more on the status of the project, how it will expand access to clean drinking water for local residents and highlighted her efforts to support Granite State communities through programs like the NBRC.

“The Northern Border Regional Commission plays an important role revitalizing rural and underserved communities throughout New Hampshire. That’s why, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ve repeatedly fought to protect the NBRC from elimination by the Trump administration and have increased funding to continue its efforts,” said Shaheen. “As Jaffrey and Peterborough town officials highlighted in our conversation this morning, these federal funds will be put to good use and help move the Cold Stone project along, expanding reliable access to clean drinking water for local residents and businesses. I’ll continue to work across the aisle to secure the federal resources the NBRC needs to empower our rural communities.”

Later in Keene, Shaheen visited Electronic Imaging Materials to discuss the business’ experience with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Electronic Imaging Materials is a family-owned manufacturing company that produces high-quality labels for customers in the United States and abroad. During her visit, Shaheen heard from the leadership of the business on how the PPP has helped them survive the economic fallout of COVID-19. Shaheen also highlighted the need to provide further relief to Granite State small businesses that have been hard hit by the pandemic. The PPP has been a lifeline for small businesses and nonprofits in New Hampshire, with over $2.5 billion in assistance disbursed to more than 24,000 businesses across the state. However, many small businesses and nonprofits that have already received a PPP loan are continuing to struggle. Shaheen has called for the passage of the Prioritized Paycheck Protection Program (P4) Act, legislation she introduced that would allow small businesses and nonprofits to access a second round of PPP loans.

“For thousands of family-owned businesses across New Hampshire like Electronic Imaging Materials, the Paycheck Protection Program has been critical to their survival in this economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to funds from the PPP, Electronic Imaging Materials was able to keep employees on the payroll and transition back to normal operations,” said Shaheen. “I appreciate the opportunity I had today to hear from leadership and staff on the firm’s experience with the PPP and how Congress can continue to assist small businesses during these challenging times. I’m committed to securing additional relief for small businesses and nonprofits in any future relief package, including my legislation that would fund a second round of the PPP for those hardest hit.”