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It's almost here! April 8th is the day. The weekend before is going to push northern NH to it's limits as spectators of the total solar eclipse travel into the area. Are you ready for it?
| ~Your Friends At North Country Council | | |
Wildfire & Your Community Beyond Suppression | |
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Did you miss the presentation with the New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau, which provided an
overview of the RSAs, processes, and regulations that towns should know about when wildland fire occurs in your community?
It was recorded and available for viewing! Click the button below.
The presentation slides are available as PDF HERE.
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Main Street Revitalization V2 | | Microtransit: Revolutionizing Transit Funding | |
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Microtransit, once an emerging technology has now become a staple in the public transit landscape across the united States. With hundreds of programs nationwide, communities are leveraging microtransit to extend the reach of public transit and provide affordable connections to vital services such as jobs, education, and healthcare.
Securing funding is crucial for the long-term success of microtransit services. In response to this need, an in-depth guide to microtransit funding in the United States has been compiled, offering insights into federal, state, and local funding options. From formula-based allocations to competitive grants, the funding landscape for microtransit is diverse and dynamic.
Federal programs such as the Urbanized Area Formula Grants and the Rural Area Formula Grants provide substantial funding streams. Additionally, new initiatives like the Carbon Reduction Program offer further opportunities for financing microtransit projects.
State and regional entities also play a significant role, distributing federal formula funds and offering their own competitive grants. initiatives like California's Cap-and-Trade auction proceeds and New York's Innovative Mobility Initiative are a few of many state-level effforts to support microtransit.
Locally, ballot measures, partnerships with corporations and foundations, and innovative funding mechanisms like congestion pricing contribute to the financial sustainability of microtransit services.
Communities can ensure the continued growth and accessibility of microtransit by exploring diverse funding avenues that transform the way people navigate their communities.
As microtransit continues to evolve, collaboration and innovation in funding mechanisms will be essential to meet the increasing demand for flexible and efficient transportation solutions.
Image Credit: Via Transportation
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Rethinking Transportation Funding with EV Mileage Fees | |
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The Vermont government is advocating for a "mile traveled" fee to be imposed on all electric vehicles by 2026 to compensate for lost gas tax revenue. With around 13,000 EV's currently registered and an anticipated doubling in the coming years, the state Agency of Transportation is proposing to track mileage during annual inspections rather than resorting to potentially invasive electronic methods. This approach aims to address concerns regarding privacy and high data collection costs while ensuring a fair fee application.
A similar incentive in New Hampshire could provide a sustainable source of revenue to fund infrastructure maintenance and improvements while also addressing concerns about lost gas tax revenue. With a growing number of EV's on New Hampshire roads, implementing a mileage-based fee system, like the one proposed in Vermont, could ensure equitable funding for transportation infrastructure. To mitigate potential backlash, policymakers would need to ensure transparency in fee calculations and address privacy concerns by adopting non-invasive methods of mileage tracking, similar to Vermont's proposal. This initiative could lead to a fairer distributions of costs for road usage and contribute to the development of a more sustainable transportation system in the state.
Photo Credit: Canva
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FWHA Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP): OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS | |
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The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration has announced that the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) is now open for applications. These grants will allocate up to $44.5 million in funding to enhance safety and accessibility for bicycling, walking, and public transit access. The deadline for applications is Monday, June 17th.
This initiative prioritizes building connected active networks of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure that aims to improve connectivity between communities and promote healthier, more sustainable transportation options. The funding will aid in planning, designing, and constructing safe and connected active transportation networks, including sidewalks, bikeways, and trails. FHWA plans to facilitate outreach through webinars on April 9th and 10th to provide further details and support for interested applicants.
To read the full press release and to sign up for the webinars, visit the FHWA website here. Applications can be submitted here.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Contact Nicholas Altonaga, Transportation Planner, at naltonaga@nccouncil.org if you have any questions or want to learn more. | |
Grafton Regional Development Corporation Helps Small Business | |
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North Country Arts Collaborative
Hosts a night of Networking and Collaboration
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 |  | For the past year, North Country Council has been facilitating Collective Impact collaborative efforts with industries around the region. The North Country Food and Agriculture Council emerged from this work and now, the North Country Arts Collaborative is forming. The group, made up of partners from The Colonial Theater, Franconia Art Walk, Theater UP, WREN, The Weathervane, The Loading Dock, Catamount Arts, the State Council for the Arts and others has been meeting since November to co-create solutions for a resilient creative economy and discuss ways to collaborate amongst all the partners within the creative economy. On Friday, March 22nd, the North Country Arts Collaborative hosted a night of networking and collaboration with artists and art organizations from around the region. The 50 participants shared information about themselves and their relationships to the arts and participated in a lively "speed dating" activity where they answered questions related to collaboration in the warts and strategic planning while meeting new people and networking. The feedback from the event has been very positive and informative to the North Country Arts Collaborative who will use the information collected at the event to inform a strategic planning session scheduled for later this spring. If you are an artist or a member of an art organization and would like more information on how to get involved, please contact Stacey Doll at sdoll@nccouncil.org.
Photo Credit: Stacey Doll
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Arts for Community Engagement (ACE) Grants | |
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The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts is now accepting applications for ACE project grants. ACE grants support community enrichment and public benefit by providing access to high quality arts events and activities presented by community-based organizations, Main Street programs, and municipalities. A wide range of activities across a variety of artistic disciplines are eligible for funding, including:
- performances,
- exhibits,
- workshops,
- community arts programming, and
- collaborative public art projects.
The goals of this funding category are to engage and benefit NH residents and communities through the arts, especially people who are underserved or under-represented; encourage collaborative and cross-sector community partnerships; stimulate local economies through cultural tourism and the arts; and enhance the vibrancy of NH communities and quality of life for NH citizens.
This grant funds up to $8k for projects occurring December 1, 2024- November 30, 2025. Match is not required. The deadline to apply is June 28, 2024.
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Artist Entrepreneurial Grants | |
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Artist Entrepreneurial Grants recognize the importance of the creative workforce to NH's economy. Artist Entrepreneurial Grants support opportunities that will benefit artists' careers and small businesses, including:
- the development of business skills,
- participation in programs to raise the level and quality of their art,
- and participation in programs that will bring their art to the widest possible markets.
This grant funds up to $2,500. Match is not required. Applications are accepted quarterly with deadlines on May 3, August 2, and November 1, 2024 and February 7, 2025.
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Contact Stacey Doll, Community Resiliency Planner, at sdoll@nncouncil.org if you have any questions or want to learn more. | |
Freeze, Floods, and Fire: Extreme Weather of 2023 and Community Solutions
Part of UNH Carsey School of Public Policy Policy Hour-Online Discussion series.
When: April 10, 8-9am
Where: Online
A late spring freeze, summer floods, wildfire smoke, and hurricane-like winter storms are just some of the extreme weather events to impact the Granite State in 2023. Last year's weather cost the state millions in crop losses and damaged infrastructure, but the full costs of lost time, revenue, and property to residents are still being calculated. New Hampshire state climatologist, Mary Stampone, will review the extreme weather events of 2023 and discuss how these events relate to climate change and what NH communities are doing to build resilience to severe weather.
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NRRA Workshop Series
When: April 16-17, 8:30am -4pm
Where: Granite Sate Conference Room @ DOT, 7 Hazen Drive B15, Concord NH
Who's this for: Facility/Organization decisionmakers & their Operators
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Not sure where you should start?
North Country Council can help you connect to and navigate various federal, state, local, and foundation opportunities to find the right fit for your project and community.
Our staff has experience in programs such as USDA, CDBG, EDA, and NBRC. Our team's experience with project development, grant writing, and grant administration or compliance with federal grant regulations can help drive your project toward success.
Reach out today!
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