Image Description: Blue sky with clouds over the Ammonoosuc River and fall foliage on both river banks. | |
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The North Country Council is looking to expand our photo library and include images captured by YOU! Click the button below to complete a short form and upload an image file for us to feature in a future newsletter, use on social media, or other use by the Council and credit given to you!
| -Your friends at North Country Council | Photo Credit: Adhi Two Owls, Ahdi Zen Studio | | |
NH Municipal Association Land Use Law Conference
Saturday, November 16, 2024 - 9:00am to 3:15pm
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Regional Plan Survey is Still Open
Our goal is to reach 400 survey responses!
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We know it's been a year full of surveys coming at folks from every which way, but we have one (maybe two) more that you will take the time to complete! So far, we've collected over 250 responses. Our goal is to reach 400 survey responses. So, if you live in the North Country Region (see our map here), we'd love to hear from you! | |
Update from North Country CEDS Committee | |
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The North Country Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee had their bi-monthly meeting on October 24th at the Boys & Girls Club of the North Country. Our theme for the meeting was the Outdoor Recreation Industry and how it contributes to the economy in the North Country. Taylor Roy, North Country Council Planner, lead off with a great presentation that summarized the NH Outdoor Recreation Industry Inventory Report. The Outdoor Recreation Industry is the second largest industry in New Hampshire with 30,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in wages and salaries. Total economic contribution was of the Outdoor Recreation Industry in NH in 2023 was $3.3 billion. Of the Outdoor Recreation Industry businesses in the state, a good majority of them are located in the North Country including:
- 100% Whitewater outfitters and guides + OHRV rental businesses
- 92% Snowmobile rental businesses
- 78% Motorized boat rentals
- 72% Mountain bike rentals
- 58% Ski rentals
- 56% For-profit campgrounds
- 45% Retail businesses
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Chris Thayer, Senior Director of External Affairs and Contracts from the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), then presented on the types of projects that have a more local impact on our region. Of the 31 projects across the AMC reach (which goes down to Virginia), 10 of them are located in NH and 9 of those are located in the North Country, including projects in Lancaster, Rumney, and Franconia. The AMC provides living wage jobs for trail crew members, managers and trail construction workers, which is important to our economy in the North Country. We thank Chris for all the work he and his colleagues at AMC are doing to strengthen our economy here. Both Taylor and Chris's presentations ca be found on the CEDS webpage under Meeting Minutes and Materials
for 2024.
| We had a great turn out for our meeting! We were especially excited to have representation from Senator Shaheen's office and Congresswoman Kuster's office - thanks for attending Chuck and Stephanie! We look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting on Thursday, December 18th from 11am - 1pm hosted at the Enterprise Center in Plymouth. Thanks again to Sandy and Erin at Boys & Girls Club of the NC for hosting us! | |
Top Photo: North Country CEDS Committee. Photo Credit: Sandy Brackett, Boys & Girls Club of the North Country
Bottom Photo: Chris Thayer, AMC, speaks about their work in the North Country. Photo Credit: Angela Cleveland, NCC
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Supporting an Aging Workforce Webinar | |
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Did you know that 40% of workers age 15 and up in Coos, Grafton, and Carroll Counties are over 55? Yes! The population in NH is aging and fewer young people are entering the workforce. Older employees are generally highly skilled and are difficult to replace. In NH about 301,000 people are 60+ which makes up a valuable state asset.
Want to learn more about the aging workforce and how we can work together to support a multi-generational workforce? Watch our October Economic Development Webinar on this topic with expert guest speaker Gerri King!
| Image: Screen grab from Supporting the Aging Workforce webinar. | |
2024 Week Without Driving Reflection | |
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Week Without Driving is a national challenge that took place from September 30th to October 6th.
This week urged public officials, elected officials, transportation professionals, organizations and individuals to understand the challenges that non-drivers face each day.
All staff members at North Country Council participated in this event and undertook the difficulties that come with not driving.
Some challenges we faced were...
- Out-of-State residency
- Lack of public transportation in certain towns
- Time management issues
- Unsavory weather conditions
- Emergencies
- Grocery shopping transportation
- Children and dependents that need transportation
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Funding Opportunity: Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) | |
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NH DOT has opened up Round 5 for applications to Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Letters of Interest are due by Friday, December 6th, 2024.
The goal of the federally-funded Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is to provide choices for non-motorized users that are safe, reliable, and convenient.
TAP was created under federal law known as Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) to consolidate many stand-alone programs into a single, more flexible program. Programs replaced by TAP are Safe Routes to School, Recreational Trails, Transportation Enhancement, and Scenic and Cultural Byways. The Recreational Trails Program is administered by the Department of Resource and Economic Development.
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New NH DOT Driving Toward Zero Campaign:
Safety Initiative to Reduce Traffic Deaths
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NH transportation and safety officials have relaunched the Driving Toward Zero program, aiming to cut road way fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, with a long-term vision of zero deaths by 2050. Originally launched in 2009 and paused during the pandemic, the program was revived following a troubling rise in traffic deaths, including a 400% increase among drivers aged 16-21 in 2024. As part of the state's Strategic Highways Safety Plan (SHSP), Driving Toward Zero strives to shift cultural norms around roadway safety, underscoring the idea that every fatality is preventable.
So far, there have been 115 roadway fatalities and counting. That's why, collaborating across departments, officials are increasing patrols, enforcing traffic stops, and implementing speed and sobriety checkpoints. The SHSP emphasizes education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical services, targeting distracted, impaired, and aggressive driving, especially among vulnerable groups like teens, seniors, and pedestrians. The state Highway Safety Administrator, William R. Lambert, noted that this comprehensive approach extends to awareness campaigns, bolstered by partnerships with local agencies to spread safety messages through outreach events and public service ads. "Highway crashes are 100% preventable," Lambert affirmed, emphasizing the shared responsibility of all road users in driving NH's roadways toward zero fatalities.
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Contact Nicholas Altonaga, Transportation Planner, at naltonaga@nccouncil.org if you have any questions or want to learn more. | |
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & RESILIENCY | |
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New Hampshire is 82% forested land. These hundreds of acres of undeveloped land and forest in the region that are vital to the ecosystem and play an important role in climate resilience. Practices we can engage in to protect these valuable resources include:
- Best Forestry Management Practices
- Land Stewardship
- Conservation
Learn more about the ways you can individually take action and within your community through the Land & Forest page of the North Country Climate Resiliency Hub.
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Where should you 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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