Monthly news & updates
FEBRUARY 2023
FY2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
Public Comment Period & Public Hearing
The NRPC, as the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Nashua Region, is holding a public comment period on the draft 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and draft 2019-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Minor Update. This process is being conducted in accordance with the Public Involvement Process for Transportation Planning (PIP) adopted by the Nashua MPO for the development of the TIP and MTP; the PIP meets Federal and State requirements and satisfies the FTA’s Program of Projects requirements for public involvement activities and time established for public review and comment.

A thirty-day public comment period for these documents begins on January 13, 2023 and runs through February 14, 2023. Written comments may be submitted through Tuesday, February 14, 2023, via email to Matt Waitkins or via US mail to: Matt Waitkins, NRPC, 30 Temple Street, Suite 301, Nashua, NH 03060.

A Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 7:00 PM at NRPC. The public hearing also can be attended via Zoom at the following link: https://nashuarpc.zoom.us/j/85101026233 Or join by telephone by dialing: (929) 205-6099.

Following the public hearing, the Nashua MPO will consider adoption of the proposed FY 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program and FY 2019-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Minor Update. Click below to view the complete public notice.
Census Releases 2020 Qualifying Urban Area Geography
The Census Bureau's urban and rural classification provides an important baseline for analyzing changes in the distribution and characteristics of urban and rural populations for the nation, states, and regions. Also, the Census urbanized area has been defining geography for the Nashua Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Transportation Management Area (TMA) designations. Furthermore, federal transit grant (FTA) program eligibility and funding distribution is determined, in part, by service provision and demographics in both urban and non-urban areas.

Urban-rural criteria and mapping are released each decennial census. In 2020, to qualify as an urban area, the territory identified according to criteria must encompass at least 2,000 housing units or a population of at least 5,000. The criteria also include adjacent territory containing non-residential urban land uses.

2020 urban area geography for the NRPC region is now available to browse in MapGeo alongside the 2010 geography. Some notable points:
  • In 2010, urban areas in Pelham were part of the Boston Urbanized Area; in 2020, Pelham urban areas are included in the Nashua Urban Area. 
  • There is now only a very minor portion of the Nashua Urban Area that occupies portions of Massachusetts; Pepperell, MA is no longer part of the Nashua Urban Area.
  • While some urban areas of the region have expanded, the new census criteria now define some formerly urban areas as rural.
  • The 2020 Nashua Urban Area population is 242,984. Accordingly, NRPC does not anticipate any change to the qualifying status of the Nashua MPO or TMA. 
  • It has not yet been communicated how the 2020 Census delineations will impact the region’s FTA formula apportionments for transit. The FTA will host a webinar about the 2020 Census release at 1 p.m. ET Thursday, February 9. Current and future FTA grant recipients are encouraged to attend and learn more about how the 2020 Census might impact them.

For more info, please refer to the Census Urban and Rural page
Funding Opportunity –
NH Clean Diesel Grant Program
NHDES has over $900,000 available through the NH Clean Diesel Grant Program for cities, towns, businesses, school districts, and more!

Eligible projects include replacing diesel vehicles/engines/equipment with newer diesel models or models that run on alternative fuels or electricity, installing idle reduction technology, and other activities which reduce diesel emissions. Once approved, projects must be completed by September 30, 2024. See the state’s DERA webpage for more information. Applications are due by March 31st, 2023.
Upcoming Meetings at NRPC
See what's happening this month.
Please note: NRPC will be closed on Monday, February 20th for Presidents' Day.
February 8, 2023, at 12:00pm
Contact: Matt Waitkins

February 9, 2023, at 1:00pm
Contact: Sara Siskavich

February 15, 2023, at 5:30pm
Contact: Jay Minkarah
Looking to stay informed about NRPC?
Attend our meetings! Agendas are posted approximately five days in advance on the NRPC online calendar, or reach out to staff contacts to be added to group email lists. Unless otherwise noted, meetings will be held at: 30 Temple Street, Suite 310, Nashua, NH.
NH Employment Security: Employment Projections
NH Employment Security projects that the NRPC region will lead the state in employment growth between 2020 and 2030 with a net increase of 7.3% or just under 7,500 new jobs. The largest numerical increases are anticipated in management related occupations, computers, engineering, healthcare, education and food preparation/service. Employment levels are expected to decline for jobs in retail and administrative support.

Webinar: From the Bookshelves to the Public
Did you miss the webinar?

View a recording, along with other post-webinar resources:
Other Events & Training Opportunities
February 16th, 12:00pm

Join the NH Office of Planning & Development (OSD) every third Thursday of the month from 12 to 1 pm to learn more about various planning and zoning topics. Each PLAN webinar will be free and conducted live with a presentation and question and answer session. Join Noah Hodgetts, Principal Planner and Alvina Snegach, Assistant Planner in the OPD who will discuss changes in the recently published 2022 editions of OPD’s The Planning Board in New Hampshire A Handbook for Local Officials  (“Planning Board Handbook”) and The Board of Adjustment in New Hampshire: A Handbook for Local Officials  (“Zoning Board Handbook”).

This webinar will also introduce a new resource Federal and State Planning and Zoning Case Law for New Hampshire Local Officials  that was once part of the Board of Adjustment Handbook (“Zoning Board Handbook”), but was made its own publication starting in 2022 and expanded to include planning board related cases. This hour-long webinar will include an overview of the OPD training mandate, and a review of the legislative related changes made to the Planning and Zoning Board Handbooks based on the legislation approved in 2022.
SBDC's webinars focus on the needs of small businesses all around the state of New Hampshire. Topics of webinars range from starting a business to growing a business, including; financial matters, marketing, cyber, DEI, and many more.

SBDC webinars are free, offered live, and include a Q&A session. View upcoming webinars here.
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