Rec Path Phase 2 gets $1 million from Northern Borders

This map shows where Phase 2 of the Rec Path would go, from Cranmore up to Intervale Cross Road. (Courtesy photo)

The second phase of the Rec Path from Cranmore up to Intervale was awarded $1 million in funding from the Northern Borders Regional Commission. 

Thirteen projects across the New Hampshire, including the rec path in Conway,  will benefit from $8.7 million in grants awarded by the Northern Border Regional Commission’s Catalyst program.

The program supports economic development initiatives in rural communities such as water, wastewater, transportation infrastructure, workforce development programs, and construction of child care and health care facilities.

“Over the past decade, NBRC’s Catalyst program has been a much-needed source of funding for important rural projects in our rural communities,” said BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell. “Often, an NBRC grant is the last bit of funding needed for these important projects to get off the ground.”

Mt. Washington Valley Trails Association, Conway will be receiving $1 million toward construction of accessible trails linking Cranmore Mountain Resort to Intervale Scenic Overlook, completing a network of trails stretching from North Conway’s downtown to the overlook, integrating recreation and tourism assets onto a single path.

Trails association president Chris Meier told the Sun that Phase 2 is now fully funded. The Connie Davis Watson Foundation provided $1 million, and the Economic Development Administration provided $2.2 million.

“The MWVTA is very pleased and excited to partner again with the Northern Border Regional Commission, now on Phase 2 of the Rec Path,” said Meier in an email last Thursday. 

“NBRC is a strong supporter of recreational and alternative transportation amenities such as the rec path that help provide a catalyst to rural economic vitality, and reduce poverty, unemployment and outmigration,” he said.

Meier continued, “After substantial design of the project, the cost estimate for the project increased to the current $4.2 million (including all engineering).  NBRC’s support will allow us to cover this cost increase and complete the Phase 2 project on the current schedule in spring of 2027.” 

The current rec path, which was completed in 2023, runs along North-South Road from Hemlock Lane near Walmart, then veers northeast through the woods to Cranmore’s parking lot. It is popular with local families and visitors alike.

Created by Congress in 2008, the NBRC administers federal funding in eligible counties of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. In New Hampshire, projects are currently eligible for the Catalyst program in Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, and Sullivan Counties. Merrimack County will be now eligible for future grants, following recent legislative approval

The Department of Business and Economic Affairs administers the NBRC’s programs for New Hampshire, working with community leaders and organizations throughout the year providing technical assistance to apply for and develop projects.

The town of Wolfeboro is also among the 13 recipients of the grant. It will be receiving$117,750 toward an electrical grid upgrade to public infrastructure, enabling PSI Molded Plastics to add four injection molding machines and create up to 20 new jobs.

Farther north, Gorham Community Learning Center is also getting $1 million to help renovate a bank building into a child-care center, doubling the center’s capacity, creating five positions and filling a critical need in the North Country.

Other recipients include

• Friends of the Whitefield, which received $827, 870 toward completion of the library’s new Community and Rural Entrepreneurial Center, which features hybrid space for large and small group meetings, a business center, a staffed information hub, and other improvements to meet demand of new library users, especially home-based and remote workers.
• Franconia Soaring Center: Receiving $500,000 toward completion of work on the Soaring Foundation’s training center at the Franconia Airport, including classrooms, rooms for seasonal workers and itinerant pilots, and glider flight simulators.
• Archways, Tilton: Receiving $1 million toward the addition of a second floor the Archways’ existing facility, which will double capacity on substance use disorder treatment and create two workforce pipelines for recovery coaching and family support specialists, two sectors with significant demand for jobs.
• Families Flourish Northeast, Lebanon: Receiving $1 million toward construction of a 12-unit residential substance use disorder treatment facility for women with children, in collaboration with Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine and other local educational institutions. Up to 20 jobs will be created.
• Cornish Community Initiative: Receiving $727,456 toward building renovation into a community resource hub, including maker space, afterschool programming, Work Ready NH, and other local resources.
• Colonial Theatre, Keene: Receiving $476,309 toward updated marketing research, development, and advertising campaign for the performing arts center: market research will be shared to benefit area businesses.
• Winchester Revolving Loan Fund: Receiving $500,000 toward initiating a revolving loan fund to support business recruitment, retention, and development and improving stability of businesses receiving loans.
• Town of Whitefield: Receiving $1 million toward water infrastructure improvements benefiting about 600 residents and downtown businesses, including medical offices and senior care facilities.
• YMCA Alliance of Northern New England: Receiving $265,684 toward a childcare workforce recruitment campaign in Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, and Sullivan Counties, which should result in a 50 percent increase to staffing in these counties.
• Mid-State Health Center, Plymouth: Receiving $300,000 toward the renovation of two suites at the Boulder Point facility, including family-friendly exam rooms, group education spaces, and family support services, as well as a redesign of existing clinic space.
• Merrimack County was added to the list of regions eligible to receive NBRC funding as part of the reauthorization of NBRC in what is now Public Law No: 118-272.  Eligible entities in Merrimack County will be able to apply for funding in 2025, with the next NBRC Catalyst Program deadline (Spring round pre-application) Feb. 28. Additional guidance will be provided relative to this change in the program, which will serve to expand the reach and benefit of NBRC within the Granite State.

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