NH Delegation Applauds $426K Heading to NH to Support Rural Infrastructure Projects amid COVID-19 Recovery

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

November 23, 2021

(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) today welcomed $426,453 for New Hampshire from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funding will support rural infrastructure projects around emergency response services, food security and energy efficiency. Funding for these projects comes from the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, which is an annual appropriations priority for Senator Shaheen.

“As we work to put the pandemic behind us, investing in rural infrastructure is key to making sure no community is left behind. I’m pleased to welcome nearly half a million dollars to New Hampshire to invest in key parts of our recovery efforts, from emergency response services to food security and energy efficiency,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’ll continue using my voice on the Senate Appropriations Committee to ensure our rural communities have dedicated resources to boost resilience and economic development.”

“I am very pleased that New Hampshire communities will receive these critical grants to help strengthen their infrastructure. These projects will improve public safety, help families put food on the table, and increase energy efficiency,” said Senator Hassan. “These awards exemplify why investing in infrastructure can be so important to help communities thrive, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the administration on many more projects throughout our state thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure package that we passed into law.”

“I’m thrilled to see the Town of Stratford and the Taproot Farm and Environmental Education Center in Coos County receive this critical USDA funding to support local community projects,” said Rep. Kuster, a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. “From bolstering the energy efficiency and safety of public buildings to expanding access to local food during the pandemic, these federal dollars will support efforts to lift up our rural communities and help ensure New Hampshire remains a wonderful place for everyone to live and raise a family.”

“I’m pleased that New Hampshire will receive these funds to support our rural infrastructure, public safety, and the well-being of our families,” said Rep. Pappas. “These investments will help strengthen our communities as we continue to recover from this pandemic, and I’ll keep working in Congress to ensure they receive the resources they need.”

The funding heading to New Hampshire includes:

  • $341,063 to build a new patrol department in Tuftonboro in Carroll County. The 5,000 square foot patrol station would operate for at least 20 years with capacity for emergency operations.
  • $37,900 loan to complete an LED lighting retrofit project in the Fuller Town Hall and Fire Station in Stratford, improving energy security and efficiency in Coos County.
  • $37,490 to purchase coolers and freezers to expand access to local food at the Taproot Farm & Environmental Education Center, combating local food insecurity in Coos County.
    • This includes $14,400 in a Rural Development Community Facility Grant and $23,090 in a Rural Development Community Facility SECD Grant.
    • $10,000 to improve energy efficiency by installing LED lighting in 94 streetlamps through the Center Ossipee Fire Precinct in Carroll County.

More information is available here.

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