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Can you feel it, too?
Winter holding back and spring pulling forward. The days are growing longer,
and you feel more alive.
March is the time of new beginnings, and we’re excited for what’s to come!
| ~Your Friends At North Country Council | | |
Guest Presentation: Wildfire & Your Community Beyond Suppression
North Country Council Commission Meeting | Everyone is Welcome!
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Share this with your Municipal Leaders! Is your town ready to navigate a wildland fire beyond managing and suppressing it?
Join the Council's guest presenters from the NH Forest Protection Bureau, who will provide an overview of the RSAs, processes, and regulations that towns should know about when wildland fire occurs in your town.
Date: Wednesday, March 27th
Time: 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Kindly Register Prior to this Zoom Event
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Contact Michelle Moren-Grey, Executive Director, at mmoren@nccouncil.org if you have any questions or want to learn more. | |
One-on-One Project Coaching Sessions | | |
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Project Development Coaching Sessions offered by the Council are intended to enhance your municipality's or organization's capacity to advance projects in the region.
Don't wait; schedule a Coaching Session with North Country Council today!
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Visit North Country Council website for the full announcement!
Or contact
Michelle Moren-Grey at mmoren@nccouncil.org.
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Childcare Crisis in the North Country | |
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On January 24th, a convening was held by the Coos Coalition’s Tactical Team with the goal of solving the childcare crisis in the North Country. Childcare providers and stakeholders came together to brainstorm ways to increase the availability of quality childcare to fill the current gaps in service. Tactics included recruiting licensed and unlicensed home-based providers or partnering with Tri-County CAP, school districts, local businesses, those in the healthcare sector, and housing developers. Partnerships with such organizations would help provide staffing for childcare providers and spaces to host care facilities.
An additional solution discussed that would work towards making childcare more accessible includes scholarships to help families with the cost. Not only are the scholarships beneficial to the families, but they also help support the childcare facilities by maximizing revenues available from public resources. Costs for families can be reduced, and wages for employees can increase.
The Coos Coalition's Tactical Team recently published a report that contains vital information on understanding where childcare providers are, where the gaps are, and the needs of families with young children in the North Country. For infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, the potential unmet need for childcare is 1,092 children without access. This is just over 60% of children under the age of six in the region.
To view the data and read more about childcare in the North Country, check out the Tactical Team's report here: Solving the Childcare Crisis in the North Country.
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Spotlight on Industry Trends &
the Role of Manufacturing in the Region:
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Our region's industries have primarily focused on the land, people, infrastructure, and institutions. Forest based wood industries are still one of the core sectors that generate economic development revenue. With less industrial and manufacturing operation sin the 21st century redevelopment of former industrial spaces has shown us historic spaces can be used for new industries.
In 2020, 9% of the labor force was employed in the manufacturing sectors across all counties. Manufacturing may have decreased over time, but it still remains in the top 5 industries. Economic Development (ED) goals should support long standing industries and enhance the experience and skills of the work force. All residents in the region should have access to good jobs, maintain year-round employment, livable wages, and room for advancement. In order to meet the development goals industries must improve connectivity infrastructure like roads and utilities. By increasing and innovating technologies, it will also help retain and engage the next generation of workers.
There's a demand for economic development projects and improved industry space. Current ED projects include the
- Littleton Industrial Park
- Dartmouth Regional Technology Center
- Whitefield Industrial Park
- Mount Washington Valley Technology Park
- City of Berlin
- Groveton Mill Site
- Colebrook Industrial Park
Reinvesting in development can create more industry space and reduce barriers facing those who want to expand. New technology can spark innovation, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities for skills advancement. By investing in the development of local economies, grow and diversify while adding stability to the tax base. Meeting reinvestment goals can be disrupted by the high costs of technology, utility services, and lack of support funding. Along with costs the low population densities make it difficult to launch successful projects and invest in educational skill development programming.
For more information about the region's top 5 industries and economic development projects go to the Manufacturing and Industrial Spotlight by clicking the button below.
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In case you missed our early February webinar about Match including were to find it, what it means, and why you need it! Check out the recording on our YouTube Channel.
Match Webinar Video Link
If you have specific questions about match for a project you're working on, reach out to North Country Council staff, Cathlin Lord at clord@nccouncil.org.
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Contact Kaela Tavares, Planning Director, at ktavares@nccouncil.org if you have any questions or want to learn more. | |
Safe Streets and Road for All (SS4A) Grant Program | |
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US DOT Webinar Series for SS4A
Action Plans: Thursday, March 7, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
This Webinar will offer a general overview of the SS4A program and the grant application process, with a particular focus on applying for grants to develop and action plan.
REGISTER HERE
Supplemental Planning and Demonstration: Friday, March 8, 1:30 PM -3:00 PM
This webinar will offer a general overview of the SS4A program and the application process, with a particular focus on applying fort funding for Supplemental Planning and Demonstration activities.
REGISTER HERE
Implementation Grants: Wednesday, March 13, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
This webinar will offer a general overview of the SS4A program and the grant application process, with a particular focus on applying for Implementation grants.
REGISTER HERE
| | On Track for Growth: Amtrak's $5.5 Billion Investment to Modernize Infrastructure and Expand Services | |
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Amtrak's ambitious plan to double its annual ridership to 66 million by 2040 underscores the company's commitment to enhancing rail services across the nation. With a $5.5 billion investment earmarked for infrastructure upgrades, including the modernization of trains, stations, and critical components, Amtrak is poised to revolutionize the passenger rail experience.
The ripple effects of such transformative endeavors are likely to be felt statewide. Notably, increased collaboration between Amtrak and state authorities, facilitated by the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor ID Program presents a promising opportunity for New Hampshire to explore the development of new and expanded rail services. By identifying corridors for expansion through federal grants, such as the Corridor ID program, Interstate Rail Compacts Grant program, and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grants, stakeholders can better allocate resources to bolster the state's transportation infrastructure and connectivity.
As Amtrak prioritizes the modernization of infrastructure and the enhancement of customer service standards, residents and travelers in New Hampshire stand to reap the benefits of a more efficient and advanced passenger rail system. Additionally, the broader workforce transformation initiatives and emphasis on diversity and inclusion are poised to create avenues for employment opportunities and community engagement within New Hampshire. These developments not only enhance the state's transportation sector but also contribute to the overall socioeconomic growth and vitality of the region.
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Empowering Diversity: Teri Tie's Journey Through NH DOT On-the-Job Training Program | |
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Teri Tie's journey from a desk job to a fulfilling career in the construction industry is a testament to the success of the Department of Transportation's On-the-Job Training program. Growing up surrounded by construction, Tie's transition into the field was natural, but her opportunity came through a partnership between a private-sector company and the New Hampshire DOT. Tie's participation in the program, designed to advance women, minorities, and disadvantaged individuals, enabled her to obtain necessary certifications and training, leading to her current role as a safety and environment coordinator with the state DOT.
The program not only addresses workforce diversity but also aligns with broader initiatives such as the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to channel benefits from federal programs to disadvantaged communities. However, recruiting candidates remains a challenge, especially amidst low unemployment rates and pandemic-related obstacles. To tackle this, the DOT is actively partnering with organizations like the Manchester NAACP and the Business Alliance for People of Color, expanding outreach efforts across the state. With incentives like scholarships for CDL training and reimbursement for necessary equipment, the DOT aims to recruit three trainees annually, supporting federal contract provisions for workforce diversity and equal opportunity on job sites.
Candidates interested in DOT’s program should contact Ann Maestri at amaestri@tsibinc.com or 845-641-5786.
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Contact Nicholas Altonaga, Transportation Planner, at naltonaga@nccouncil.org if you have any questions or want to learn more. | |
Housing Fact Sheets Available Now! | |
Are you curious about how much housing your community has available? What about how much it costs to live in your town? To help communities quickly answer questions like these, North Country Council developed Housing Fact Sheets. Each community in our region can access their Housing Fact sheet to gather information on housing availability, affordability, age of the housing stock, demographics on who is living in the community, and more! Data is up to date as of December 2023. To better understand where this data was pulled from, please visit the Housing Fact Sheet’s Data Dictionary.
This information is available on The Council’s Resource Hub, a site the hosts data and maps that pertains to the North Country. Follow this link to find your communities Housing Fact Sheet!
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NH Business Review Housing in the Legislature | |
A recent webinar hosted by NH Business Review discussed past and future housing issues. Polls showed that granite staters' number one problem is housing and they are in dire need of legislative assistance. Residents experiencing workforce issues are directly related to the housing supply. It is seriously impacting the North Country's ability to grow. Policy makers are taking a holistic approach to the housing issue.
Construction in the workforce was also pertinent to this discussion. More than 24,000 construction employees account for 3.2% of the total gross domestic product. With increases in population and lack of construction of new housing units will become vital to NH's economy .
There are multiple housing bills curated to increasing housing stock in NH. Some of the house and senate bills include:
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HB 1065: Doesn't require sprinkler systems in detached 1 or 2-family dwelling units.
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SB: 599: Changing State fire code.
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HB 1291: Updated accessory dwelling unit rights and allowances.
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SB 454: Transfer $10 M from revenue collected from tax revenue imposed from RSA 78-B:1 to the affordable housing fund RSA 204-C:57.
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SB364: Established a historic housing preservation tax credit program administered by the housing finance authority.
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HB 1053: Allows residential use in commercially zoned districts.
According to population growth in NH we need 40k housing units between 2020 and 2030, and we will need 90k between 2020 and 2040. In order to meet production needs, building permit activity must increase by 36% statewide.
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Small Business Empowerment Summit | |
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Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN) is holding a business empowerment event to inform and discuss strategies that build a solid foundation for long-term business success. The interactive program will teach current and future business owner's tools for success.
When: Wednesday, March 27th
Time: 8:30 AM - 2:30PM
Where: AMC Highland Center Crawford Notch
Price: $10 for WREN members, $20 for nonmembers
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Grafton Regional Development Corporation Helps Small Business | |
Contact Kaela Tavares, Planning Director, at ktavares@nccouncil.org if you have any questions or want to learn more. | |
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. | |
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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Economic Development Strategy Committee Meetings
These open invitation meetings are a great way to learn about local projects and programs along with workforce and industry trends. You come to one or as many meetings as you'd like. This year will be discussing topics like
- Redevelopment and preparation of businesses spaces
- Robotics in school and industry
- Broadband build out
- CTE in schools
- Role of childcare and workforce housing
- And more...
You can join in person or virtually on Zoom from 10 am-12 pm
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6034446303?omn=82424308393
Meeting Dates
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- Friday, April 19th
- Friday, August 16th
- Friday, December 20th
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- Friday, June 21st
- Friday October 18th
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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.
Give us a call today!
Check out our latest brochure.
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