Eight NH projects awarded Northern Border Regional Commission grants

Laconia State School redevelopment receives $1m grant for master plan

August 26, 2020

NH Business Review Staff,

Laconia State School master plan

Eight economic development projects in New Hampshire have been awarded a total of $4.4 million in federal Economic and Infrastructure Development Investment funds by the Northern Border Regional Commission.

The commission, created by Congress in 2008, is a federal-state partnership working to boost development in the northern counties of New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Maine. In New Hampshire, projects are eligible for the Economic and Infrastructure Development Investment program in all, or portions of, Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton and Sullivan counties.

“This program fills a major funding gap for a lot of rural communities,” said New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell.

Receiving the awards

Topping the list with a $1 million grant was the Lakeshore Redevelopment Planning Commission, which will use the funds to help phase I of the redevelopment master plan at the site of the former State School in Laconia. The work involves road, water, sewer and telecommunication infrastructure planning.

Town of Jaffrey, $1 million to connect three wells and construct a water treatment facility and water distribution system.
Laconia Area Community Land Trust, Inc. DBA Lakes Region Community Developers, Belmont, $350,000, to support the Gale School redevelopment project, which expands childcare and creates jobs
Mascoma Valley Preservation, Grafton, $315,000 to convert the Grafton Center Meetinghouse in to a marketplace and event center
Monadnock Economic Development Corp., Keene, $1 million to the Keene State College Business Partnership Hub, which will deliver advanced education and training
Sunapee Heritage Alliance, $350,000, to repair the historic livery building and establish non-profit ownership to make it available for community use and programming
Hannah Grimes Center Inc., Keene, $315,298, to advance its entrepreneurial programs and develop its Radically Rural Summit into a self-sustaining event and create a year-round institute
FIRST New Hampshire, $113,130, to work with North Country schools and businesses to start robotic programs that will help students develop STEM skills.

Categories: Government, News, Real Estate & Construction

More news from NHBR:

NH trade mission to Canada seen as having positive results

Gov. Kelly Ayotte led the visit, which included a selection of policymakers as well as businesspeople representing a wide array of enterprises.

More Chinese-owned property in Nashua comes into focus

Another piece of Chinese owned property in Nashua has come to the public’s attention — the former Daniel Webster College property, encompassing some 52 acres. Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess encouraged the Board of Aldermen on Sept. 9 to pass a resolution giving him the authority to seek state and/or federal funds to purchase the property, currently owned by Xinhua Education Consulting Services Corp.

Several Real Estate Signs During Spring.

NH residential real estate: ‘Still very much a seller’s market’

While home prices might be moderating in other parts of the country, the median price of a single-family house in New Hampshire rose to $550,000 in August, the second highest price point this current year. That price is just $3,000 more than the $547,000 recorded in July, but it is $47,500 more than January’s $502,500. The highest median price in 2025 was $569,450, recorded in June and the most ever recorded in the state.

Pro-business groups back BEA commissioner continuing

3 of 5 Executive Council members oppose Taylor Caswell’s reappointment

Erin Creegan tapped as interim U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Erin Creegan to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire, following the resignation of Jay McCormack earlier this month.

Judge rules NH is not funding an adequate education

Superior Court Judge David Ruoff has once again ruled that the state has shirked its duty to fund an adequate education and this time further held that local school property taxes, which vary in rate from one municipality to another, are themselves unconstitutional.

Inquiries pressure BEA to explain Chinese water company Nashua purchase

Nashua mayor: ‘I don't think people generally understand that this company came to Nashua as part of a state economic development initiative.’

Solar advocates throw shade on $43.5 million grant clawback by Trump

Solar advocates in New Hampshire — backed by the congressional delegation — are denouncing a Trump White House decision to claw back $48.5 million already promised to the state to fund solar energy projects for low-income residents.

Pro-business groups back BEA commissioner's reappointment

As Taylor Caswell’s reappointment as commissioner of the N.H. Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) hangs in the balance, two independent statewide economic-related associations are standing with him and saying he should keep his job. The presidents of the New Hampshire Business & Industry Association (BIA) and Ski New Hampshire offered statements backing Caswell’s reappointment by the Executive Council.