Don’t want to receive this newsletter? Adjust your preferences here.

NOTE FROM ANDY

WELCOME to the 31 new people who have joined the Granite Goodness community since our last newsletter.

Over here in Granite Goodness world we have some good news to share: we now have 100+ members of our Optimists Club!

Shout out to Jo Porter, Ande Lyons, and Andrea Folsom for joining last week and taking us over 100!

Come hang out at Treeline Outfitters on May 4 and listen to what’s optimistic in New England’s energy space for NH Energy Week.

Big thank you to the Partnership for Public Health, who gave me a great excuse to wear a cape last week when they asked me to come moderate their panel about the “superpowers” non-profits have : )

Now enjoy some good news!

GRANITE GREENERY: Sustainability & Nature

Shrewsbury, MA just won the largest federal recycling grant in Massachusetts history. A $2.7 million EPA award will launch townwide curbside composting, a new recycling facility, drop-off for hard-to-recycle items, and will divert up to 1,000 tons of waste a year from incineration. - Massachusetts Municipal Association

Maine is about to get a lot wilder: $4.6 million is flowing to ten wetland restoration projects, more than double last year's funding. The funds will help remove dams and rehabilitate Acadia National Park's largest freshwater wetland, strengthening ecosystems and improving flood resilience across the state. - The Maine Monitor

Rhode Island is protecting 174 acres of open space using $1.23 million in voter-approved Green Bond grants, covering four projects from forestland in Glocester to a shoreline property overlooking Mount Hope Bay in Tiverton. This same program has protected more than 13,000 acres since 1985. - RI DEM

GRANITE GRIT: Building & Infrastructure

Vermont is creating 10 pre-approved home designs that builders can fast-track through local permitting for free, making it the first state in the country to do so. The "802 Homes" program is being piloted in Essex Junction, Hartford, and Manchester, with the full catalog expected by end of year. - VTDigger

Braintree is turning a long-vacant 30-acre industrial site into 752 apartments less than a mile from the Red Line, one of the largest housing developments on Boston's South Shore in years and a model for how Massachusetts is converting industrial relics into housing. - Boston Globe

Connecticut is upgrading the freight rail network that helps keep its economy running, repairing bridges over the Connecticut River, modernizing grade crossings, and upgrading track for heavier freight cars across six railroads statewide. The work is backed by $20m in state grants + $4m in private railroad investment. - CT DOT

GRANITE GROWTH: Economics & Opportunity

The 144 households of Cotton Farm Village in New Hampshire just became co-owners of their manufactured-home park, joining a network of 152 resident-owned communities across the state. The cooperative, financed through the NH Community Loan Fund, gives residents control over their own rents, rules, and future. - NH Community Loan Fund

Farmington, Maine just got its first food co-op, where 250 community members have already bought $150 lifetime memberships to co-own a local organic market on Front Street. Members get monthly discounts, a share of yearly revenue, and a vote on how the business is run. - WMTW News

Vermont farmer Charlie Watts just launched a seed company built to solve a problem every New England gardener has: a growing season too short for half the things worth growing. Homecoming Seeds in Northfield sells only open-pollinated varieties adapted to cold, fast-maturing conditions, grown on Watts’ own farm or contracted locally. They ship nationwide! - Seven Days

GRANITE GADGETS: Science & Technology

Massachusetts is positioning itself as the global capital of climate tech, backed by $1 billion in state support. Greentown Labs in Somerville sits at the center of the ecosystem, incubating over 100 startups working on everything from iron batteries to biodegradable potato plastic. - WBUR

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire just won $600,000 to make water data accessible to anyone who needs it, building an open-source platform that lets scientists run water cycle simulations without a supercomputer. Access to the data will help enhance practices for drinking water protection, agriculture, and more. - UNH

UConn researchers are using controlled burns to help New England prepare for a future with more wildfires, studying how soil microbes recover after fires and testing how to restore forest health faster. The work aims to help reshape wildfire management across the region. - UConn

GRANITE GOODS: Institutions & Community

A donated building in Portland's Bayside neighborhood is becoming a nonprofit-owned community center, hosting organizations focused on housing, welcoming immigrants, music, and food access. The landowner sees it as a replicable model for community-driven development across the city. - Portland Press Herald

New Hampshire is planning its first fully ADA-accessible public beach on Blaisdell Lake in Sutton, anchoring a new outdoor learning and conservation destination that will bring programming, accessibility, and economic activity to the Kearsarge region. - Concord Insider

The University of Rhode Island launched a Community News Lab sending student journalists into Rhode Island towns that no longer have local coverage, with their stories appearing in real newspapers across the state. The program is part of a nationwide movement of universities stepping in to fill news deserts, with 172 institutions now publishing over 11,000 student-reported stories. - URI Magazine

Partner Spotlight!

BIG THANK YOU to our Community Partners Green Wave Electric Vehicles and Resilient Buildings Group (RBG) for your support of Granite Goodness.

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter!1 If you’d like to support Granite Goodness, consider joining our Optimists Club. Learn more about the people behind these stories on our podcast.

Hungry for good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our very own Optimists Club newsletter or our friends at Fix The News and The Progress Network.

Thanks for reading!

-Andy

Don’t want to receive this newsletter? Adjust your preferences here.

NOTE FROM ANDY

Hello everyone! Welcome to the 216 new people who have joined the Granite Goodness community since our last newsletter and to Marisa Rafal, Anna Wells, and Talia Wujtewicz for joining our Optimists Club!

Don’t miss our latest podcast episode featuring Sam Evans Brown from Clean Energy NH : )

If you’re around come join us May 4 for a free casual live podcast + drinks at Treeline Outfitters in Portsmouth, featuring panelists from Clean Energy NH, Resilient Buildings Group, and the Community Power Coalition of NH.

Now enjoy some good news!

GRANITE GREENERY: Sustainability & Nature

Revolution Wind, New England’s first major offshore wind project, has begun delivering electricity to the regional grid. The 65-turbine project off the Connecticut coast will generate enough power for 350,000 homes, projected to save ratepayers $500 million a year on energy costs. - Rhode Island Current

All six New England governors issued a bipartisan commitment to explore advanced nuclear energy, the first time the region has united behind the technology, as ISO New England projects regional electricity demand will grow more than 40% over the next two decades. - Mass.gov

New Hampshire is removing a century-old dam in Goffstown, unlocking nearly 70 miles of the Piscataquog River for the first time in decades and restoring the natural flow of water, sediment, and wildlife. - Vermont Public / NHPR

GRANITE GRIT: Building & Infrastructure

Massachusetts is betting that the best way to prepare for climate change is to let towns figure it out themselves, putting $3 million behind the idea through Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grants going to more than 30 communities for wetland restoration, infrastructure upgrades, and tree planting. - Massachusetts Municipal Association

Maine has secured federal approval to bring high-speed internet to more than 22,000 homes and businesses, one of the largest broadband expansions in state history, closing the digital divide in rural communities across the state. - Sunrise County Economic Council

Vermont’s legislature unanimously approved an expansion of its “10% in VT” housing fund, which has already financed more than 1,700 homes across the state using low-interest loans to offset borrowing costs that would otherwise kill housing projects. - Vermont Business Magazine

GRANITE GROWTH: Economics & Opportunity

Three years in, Nashua’s downtown performing arts center is exceeding expectations, with restaurants reporting significant revenue increases, parking revenue climbing, and $3.6 million in regional economic impact generated. - Nashua Ink Link

Maine just deployed $25 million across 23 companies and research institutions, from seafood processors in Downeast Maine to life sciences labs on the Midcoast, drawing 113 proposals requesting $127 million and projected to create or preserve nearly 4,000 jobs. - Maine.gov

Vermont’s economic development authority just invested $13.8 million into a cross-section of small businesses: a community-owned grocery in St. Johnsbury, a grain center in Ferrisburgh, a fitness center in flood-damaged Montpelier, and a donut shop in Rutland. - Vermont Business Magazine

GRANITE GADGETS: Science & Technology

Maine researchers have engineered a zebrafish (dubbed the “atrofish”) that can reproduce decades of age-related muscle decline in just days, dramatically accelerating the search for treatments for sarcopenia, the muscle loss condition affecting millions of older adults. - MDI Biological Laboratory

UConn and Yale are bidding for $160 million to make Connecticut the country’s quantum computing capital, backed by $61 million the state has already committed through a public-private partnership called QuantumCT. - UConn Today

MIT and two Boston biotechs won federal awards to develop a sensor that monitors your health through your tears in real time, and drugs that repair damaged lymphatic vessels rather than just managing symptoms. Massachusetts has now secured more than $330 million in ARPA-H funding since the agency launched. - Mass.gov

GRANITE GOODS: Institutions & Community

Rhode Island has cut chronic absenteeism by 12 percentage points since 2022, adding 3.7 million hours of learning back to students, and now leads all of New England in post-pandemic academic recovery. - RI Public Expenditure Council

Boston Public Schools won a national award for installing 4,000+ air quality sensors across more than 100 schools, making it one of only five districts in the country recognized for indoor air quality leadership. - Boston Public Schools

New Hampshire’s Farm Future Fund is back for its seventh year, offering $100,000 to help farms conserve land and strengthen their business viability, having already protected 2,402 acres and supported 22 farms statewide. - Morning Ag Clips

Partner Spotlight!

BIG THANK YOU to our Community Partners Green Wave Electric Vehicles and Resilient Buildings Group (RBG) for your support of Granite Goodness.

Come join us May 4 at Treeline Outfitters for a free live podcast featuring some of our friends from RBG + the Community Power Coalition of NH + Clean Energy NH.

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter!1 If you’d like to support Granite Goodness, consider joining our Optimists Club.

Learn more about the people behind these stories on our podcast and social media.

Hungry for good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our very own Optimists Club newsletter or our friends at Fix The News and The Progress Network.

Please reach out to granitegoodness@gmail.com with sponsor or partner inquiries.

Thanks for reading!

-Andy

Don’t want to receive this newsletter? Adjust your preferences here.

NOTE FROM ANDY

Hello everyone! Welcome to the 244 new people who have joined the Granite Goodness community since our last newsletter, and to Shelby Miuzzo, Kaelli Gehrung, and Chad Moore for joining our Optimists Club!

Come join us Tuesday March 17 for a community gathering at Treeline Outfitters in Portsmouth, NH with our friends at Give and Gather. Co-organizer Andrea and I made a quick video about it.

Coming up as well on March 27 is our rescheduled LIVE SHOW at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH. We will be opened by friends of Granite Goodness SNEAKY MILES and joined by other excellent local pods. Gene and Troy cannot make the rescheduled date, so we will instead be joined by Alison Kinsey of Real Time Creator and Steve Ivo of Dr. Beewell — tickets here!

I recently got interviewed on Dr. Beewell, so check that out if you want a deep dive into Granite Goodness. Big thanks as well to my friend Aimee Terravechia and NH Culture Review for their recent feature of our work. If you’re curious, we compile all the fun stuff Granite Goodness is up to on our media page. It’s a fun timeline!

Now enjoy some good news!

GRANITE GREENERY: Sustainability & Nature

Rhode Island towns pilot curbside composting to cut waste and emissions

Three Rhode Island communities have launched the state’s first municipal curbside composting programs, helping divert tons of waste from landfills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. - Governing

Geothermal network expands in Massachusetts

An $8.6 million federal grant will help double the size of a pioneering geothermal heating and cooling network in Framingham, bringing efficient underground energy to more homes and businesses. - Canary Media

Local fund helps electrify homes in New Hampshire

A community program in the Monadnock Region has raised more than $350,000 to help residents install heat pumps, solar panels, and other clean energy upgrades. The locally funded effort aims to help dozens of households cut energy costs and reduce emissions while transitioning homes away from fossil fuels. - NHPR

GRANITE GRIT: Building & Infrastructure

Rhode Island launches $20 million push for entry-level homeownership

Rhode Island is launching a $20 million initiative to accelerate the construction of affordable starter homes and expand homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents. Funds will support developers building smaller, lower-cost homes while helping more Rhode Islanders buy their first home. - RI.gov

Vermont invests $100 million in housing, infrastructure, and workforce programs

More than $100 million in federal funding will support affordable housing, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, workforce training programs, flood resilience projects, and expanded dental care services across Vermont. - VTDigger

UNH expands ocean mapping research center

The University of New Hampshire has broken ground on a new 70,500-square-foot Ocean Mapping Center of Excellence that will support cutting-edge seafloor research, workforce training, and collaborations with ocean technology companies. - University of New Hampshire

GRANITE GROWTH: Economics & Opportunity

Mt. Washington Valley becomes hub for independent ski innovation1

Black Mountain in Jackson, New Hampshire will remain independently owned as Indy Pass founder Erik Mogensen consolidates Indy Pass and ski-industry tech firm Entabeni Systems at the mountain. The historic ski area will serve as a testing ground for new technology, business models, and ideas aimed at helping independent ski resorts thrive, while bringing new jobs and investment to the Mount Washington Valley. - NHPR

Vermont expands training program for women in the trades

A workforce program in Vermont is expanding to four locations in 2026 to train women and gender-expansive residents for careers in construction. The free Trailblazers program provides hands-on training and paid internships to help more people enter high-demand skilled trades. - Construction Owners

Western Massachusetts invests in farmland protection

Three regional planning agencies in western Massachusetts are launching a new effort to help towns preserve farmland and support local farmers. Backed by a $268,000 state grant, the initiative will develop planning tools and partnerships to protect agricultural land. - Greenfield Recorder

GRANITE GADGETS: Science & Technology

UConn research aims to slow biological aging

A national research effort involving the University of Connecticut is testing whether a drug originally developed for HIV treatment could reduce inflammation linked to aging. The $22 million project aims to help older adults stay healthier, stronger, and mentally sharp as they age. - University of Connecticut

Maine researchers develop mushroom-based alternative to plastic packaging

Researchers at the University of Maine have created a biodegradable food packaging material made from mushroom mycelium and wood fibers that can resist water and oil like plastic. The new material could provide a sustainable alternative to traditional food packaging while breaking down naturally after use. - University of Maine

MIT researchers find new way to make protein medicines cheaper

MIT scientists have developed an innovative method that helps yeast produce important medicines more efficiently, which could lower the cost of making vaccines, hormones, and other lifesaving drugs. - MIT

GRANITE GOODS: Institutions & Community

Connecticut expands water bill assistance for low-income households

The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority has expanded its financial assistance program, increasing grant amounts and widening eligibility so more families can receive help paying their water bills. Qualifying households can now receive up to $300 per year through the program. - CT Insider

Maine communities invest opioid settlement funds in recovery and prevention

Local governments across Maine spent $3 million from opioid settlement funds last year to support addiction treatment in jails, behavioral health workers, recovery centers, youth prevention programs, and outreach services. The investments are helping expand treatment access and strengthen community-based responses to the opioid crisis. - Maine Monitor

New Hampshire strengthens school safety with funding and reforms

New Hampshire has implemented 47 of 59 recommendations from the bipartisan 2018 School Safety Preparedness Task Force and awarded $8 million in SAFE grants to fund security upgrades and preparedness projects in schools. The state has also completed 1,300+ school safety assessments and reached 99% compliance with required emergency operations plans. - Rochester Post

Partner Spotlight!

Thanks to our Community Partner, Green Wave Electric Vehicles, for helping support Granite Goodness!

Green Wave founder Jesse Lore has been an enthusiastic and early believer in Granite Goodness. I chatted with him on the podcast last year and it remains one of my favorite convos.

As an EV owner who lives in rural New England, I can’t speak positively enough about my experience. Yesterday I did the math on how much electrifying my car has likely saved me (I drove ~29k miles in 2025, 12k of those for Granite Goodness purposes) and it was easily $1,400 - $1,600 annually in offset gas + maintenance costs (excluding how much my solar panels also saved me in electricity). Plus, I can bring my dogs anywhere I like and they can stay safe and comfortable in a climate controlled environment.

Big congrats to Jesse and the Green Wave team for opening a second location in Salem, Massachusetts. If you’re around, come join us for the opening celebration there on April 2 (tentative date!).

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter!2 If you’d like to support Granite Goodness, consider joining our Optimists Club.

Learn more about the people behind these stories on our podcast and social media.

Hungry for good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our very own Optimists Club newsletter or our friends at Fix The News and The Progress Network.

Please reach out to granitegoodness@gmail.com with sponsor or partner inquiries.

Thanks for reading!

-Andy

Don’t want to receive this newsletter? Adjust your preferences here.

NOTE FROM ANDY

Hello everyone! Welcome to the 41 new humans who have joined the Granite Goodness community this past week, and to Alexander Sterling for joining our Optimists Club!

THIS FRIDAY 2/20 is our next LIVE SHOW at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH. We will be opened by local legends SNEAKY MILES and joined by some cool local podcasts. Get your tickets here!

Also save the date for a community meetup on March 17 with our friends from Give and Gather.

Partner Spotlight!

THANK YOU to our Community Partner, Resilient Buildings Group (RBG), for helping support Granite Goodness!

Resilient Buildings Group helps expand high-performance, energy-efficient buildings across New England. This work often goes unnoticed, but it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions and lower costs. While large energy projects get all the attention, improving building performance delivers real impact today instead of in 10 years.

I know many of the people behind RBG personally, and their mission closely reflects the values behind Granite Goodness. We share a deep zest for the people making our corner of the world better and brighter!

With support from partners like RBG, Granite Goodness keeps growing.

Now enjoy some good news!

GRANITE GREENERY: Sustainability & Nature

Penobscot Nation regains 1,700 acres of ancestral Maine forest

The Penobscot Nation will regain 1,700 acres of forest and wetlands in central Maine, restoring access to ancestral lands and strengthening tribal stewardship of wildlife, water, and forests. The transfer is part of a broader effort to return tens of thousands of acres to tribal care across the state. - Tribal Business News

Connecticut launches landmark geothermal network in New Haven

New Haven has begun building Connecticut’s first networked geothermal system, delivering clean, low-emission heating and cooling to Union Station and nearly 1,000 public housing units. The effort advances the city’s goal of fully decarbonizing municipal buildings by 2030. - Canary Media

230 acres conserved atop NH’s Mount Kearsarge for future generations

NH’s Forest Society has permanently protected 230 acres of high-elevation forest at Mount Kearsarge, securing some of the last private inholdings within the state forest. The conservation strengthens a 9,500-acre protected corridor and prevents future private development on the summit. - Society for the Protection of NH Forests

GRANITE GRIT: Building & Infrastructure

MBTA Communities law unlocks nearly 7,000 new homes across Massachusetts

A recent report showed the laws’s zoning reforms have enabled nearly 7,000 new housing units across 34 Massachusetts communities, allowing projects that previously could not be built. The law has been especially effective at encouraging both housing near transit and more multi-family units. - WBUR

$4.5B plan will upgrade roads, bridges, and transit in Maine

MaineDOT has unveiled a $4.5 billion, three-year plan to complete nearly 2,800 transportation projects, including paving more than 3,000 miles of roads and repairing or replacing 235 bridges. The investments will also expand transit, strengthen ports and rail, and improve access to economic hubs statewide. - Mainebiz

Vermont construction boom continues

Construction activity remains strong across Vermont, with steady homebuilding, infrastructure upgrades, and major projects underway statewide. A growing pipeline of housing, manufacturing, and community investments is helping expand supply and support long-term economic growth. - Vermont Biz

GRANITE GROWTH: Economics & Opportunity

Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont break 5% growth in Q4 2025

Connecticut’s economy grew 5.6% in the third quarter of 2025, one of the fastest rates in the nation, with New Hampshire (5.5%) and Vermont (5%) also posting strong gains. Rhode Island (4.4%), Maine (3.8%), and Massachusetts (3.3%) all saw continued growth, showing broad economic momentum across New England. - Westfair Online

Maine’s workforce grows as broadband access rapidly expands

Maine’s labor force has grown beyond pre-pandemic levels to 705,000 workers, reflecting strong economic momentum across the state. At the same time, high-speed broadband access has expanded from 13% to 50% of the state in just three years. - Maine Public

Adaptive sports fuel $10.3M boost to Vermont’s economy

A recent report showed that adaptive ski & sports generates more than $10.3 million each year for VT by helping people with disabilities participate in skiing, cycling, paddling, and other outdoor activities across the state. - Mountain Times

GRANITE GADGETS: Science & Technology

Dartmouth engineers create implant that helps skull regrow naturally

Dartmouth researchers have developed a neural implant that encourages the skull to regrow around it, allowing safer, longer-term access to the brain without metal plates or repeat surgeries. The breakthrough could improve treatments for conditions like Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and brain injuries. - Dartmouth College

$4.5M investment accelerates Rhode Island’s biotech growth

Eight life science companies expanding in Rhode Island were awarded $4.5 million, advancing breakthroughs in cancer, genetic medicine, and medical technology. The funding strengthens Rhode Island’s emergence as a growing hub for biotech innovation and scientific leadership. - RI Life Sciences Hub

University of Connecticut helps advance breakthrough treatment for kidney disease

UConn Health is participating in a clinical trial testing a first-of-its-kind therapy that directly targets the root cause of IgA nephropathy, the world’s most common kidney inflammation. Initial results show treatment can quickly remove harmful proteins, offering hope for protecting kidney function and improving patients’ lives. - UConn

GRANITE GOODS: Institutions & Community

$750K Rhode Island effort turns food waste into meals

A new $750,000 partnership will redirect surplus food from restaurants, schools, and businesses to people who need it while expanding composting statewide. The program also trains residents to lead food waste and climate solutions in their own communities. - Eco RI News

Vermont’s child care law expands access and strengthens workforce

Vermont’s landmark child care law has expanded financial assistance to nearly 12,000 children, helping families afford care and stay in the workforce. The investment has also stabilized child care providers and strengthened Vermont’s economy. - Waterbury Roundabout

Resident owned communities expand in NH

Residents of Cotton Farm Village in New Hampshire successfully purchased their community, becoming the state’s 152nd resident-owned cooperative. The change puts land ownership in residents’ hands, giving more than 140 households control over rent, maintenance, and long-term management. - NHCLF

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter! If you’d like to support Granite Goodness, consider joining our Optimists Club.

We also post on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook. Learn about the people behind these stories on our podcast. You can customize what you receive from us here.

All postard images are sourced from the Tichnor Brothers Collection at the Boston Public Library, licensed under CCO 1.0.

Hungry for good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our friends at , , or our Optimists Club newsletter.

If you are interested in sponsoring this newsletter or partnering with us, please reach out at hello@granitegoodness.com. Thanks for reading!

-Andy

Don’t want to receive this newsletter? Adjust your preferences here.

NOTE FROM ANDY

Hello everyone! Welcome to the 57 new people who have joined the Granite Goodness community this past week, and to the 4 new members of our Optimists Club, Megan Murray, Adriana Torres, Nikki Shults, and Keith Sandbloom.

Save the date for a community meetup on March 17 with our friends from Give and Gather.

If you haven’t gotten tickets yet for our upcoming live show on Fri 2/20, now is the time! Come hang out with us and some of our other favorite local podcasts at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH. Tickets here!

Partner Spotlight!

This week we’re again celebrating our Community Partner, Resilient Buildings Group (RBG).

RBG works to expand the number and quality of high performance, energy efficient buildings across New England. This kind of work often stays out of the spotlight, even though it is one of the most effective and highest return ways to reduce emissions and lower costs. While large infrastructure projects and new energy systems tend to grab attention, improving how buildings actually perform delivers real impact today.

I know many of the people behind RBG personally, and their values align closely with Granite Goodness. We both care deeply about the organizations and people doing the quiet work of progress.

Thanks to the support of our partners like RBG, Granite Goodness continues to grow!

Now enjoy some good news.

GRANITE GREENERY: Sustainability & Nature

Massachusetts tests a new way to cut grid costs

Massachusetts is piloting a utility marketplace that uses customer owned batteries, EV chargers, and smart devices to ease grid strain at peak times. By relying on flexible clean energy instead of costly infrastructure upgrades, the program aims to lower electricity bills and modernize the grid faster. - Canary Media

Vermont secures major funding to protect land and biodiversity

The Nature Conservancy has awarded $500,000 to conserve more than 1,400 acres across seven sites in Vermont. The funding will help protect forests, support public access where possible, and advance the state’s goal of conserving 30 percent of its land by 2030. - Nature Conservancy

Antioch University boosts environmental education with major gift

Antioch University New England has received a $1.5 million gift to expand Environmental Studies scholarships and launch a new conservation fund at Glover’s Ledge. The investment supports hands on learning, student access, and long term stewardship of a living research landscape. - Antioch University

GRANITE GRIT: Building & Infrastructure

NH housing construction hits 20 year high

New Hampshire built more housing in 2025 than in any year in the past two decades, with more than 5,800 new units permitted statewide. The growth, driven in part by increased multi family development and supportive state policies, signals strong momentum toward expanding housing options across the state. - NHPR

Rhode Island investing in waterways, safety, and ocean innovation

Rhode Island is set to receive nearly $8 million in federal funding to clean up waterways, modernize public safety systems, and invest in RI SmartBay’s undersea monitoring technology. The projects will deliver real time ocean data, strengthen coastal research, and help grow RI’s blue economy. - Congressman Gabe Amo

Maine unveils powerful new tool to accelerate housing

Maine has launched a statewide housing dashboard that puts real time building data in one public place. The new tool sharpens accountability and coordination, helping communities move faster on expanding housing statewide. - News Center Maine

GRANITE GROWTH: Economics & Opportunity

Maine pioneers remote work program that links rehabilitation and restitution

Maine is leading a new approach to corrections by allowing eligible inmates to work real remote jobs while incarcerated. The program builds skills, provides purpose, and directs a share of earnings to victim restitution, showing how meaningful work can support accountability and successful reentry. - News Center Maine

50 year analysis shows New England state income risen faster than national average

Since 1970, every New England state has seen inflation adjusted household incomes grow faster than the national average, with New Hampshire up 62 percent and Massachusetts up nearly 48 percent. Massachusetts now ranks first in the nation for median income, while New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island all sit comfortably in the top 15, showing decades of steady gains across the region. - Urban Institute

Southwestern Vermont launches new foundation to invest in regional growth

The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce has launched a new charitable foundation with more than $150,000 already committed to support workforce development, small businesses, leadership, and community investment. - Bennington Banner

GRANITE GADGETS: Science & Technology

UConn lands NSF grant to strengthen extreme weather preparedness

A UConn based resilience project has secured more than $250,000 from the National Science Foundation to help communities across the Northeast better prepare for severe weather. Led by the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation, the effort will transform research into planning tools that reduce risk and protect communities. - The Daily Campus

Rhode Island lays out bold plan to lead on AI

Rhode Island has unveiled a new statewide AI roadmap that pairs innovation with guardrails. The plan focuses on workforce training and pilots in government, positioning the state to harness AI’s benefits while managing risk. - Route Fifty

UMass Amherst scores $3.5M to supercharge life science innovation

UMass Amherst has landed more than $3.5 million in state funding to power advanced research and next generation medical manufacturing. The grants back cutting edge tools that could transform how diseases are studied, treated, and translated from lab to clinic. - Western Mass News

GRANITE GOODS: Institutions & Community

Maine sees third straight year of progress on overdose deaths

Drug overdose deaths in Maine fell for the third year in a row, dropping 20 percent in 2025 to the lowest level since 2019. State officials credit widespread naloxone access, targeted outreach, and evidence based response efforts for the continued improvement. - Maine Public

Connecticut breaks records for generosity

A new study ranks Connecticut among the top charitable states in the region and in the top quarter nationwide. High levels of volunteering, donations, and community service show a strong culture of giving, even as residents contribute both money and time to support their neighbors. - CT Insider

NH expands maternal care with doula certification

New Hampshire has launched a new state certification for doulas, making their services eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. The change expands access to emotional, physical, and postpartum support for families while strengthening maternal and infant health statewide. - NHPR

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter! If you’d like to support Granite Goodness, consider joining our Optimists Club.

We also post on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook. Learn about the people behind these stories on our podcast. You can customize what you receive from us here.

All postard images are sourced from the Tichnor Brothers Collection at the Boston Public Library, licensed under CCO 1.0.

Hungry for good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our friends at , , or our Optimists Club newsletter.

If you are interested in sponsoring this newsletter or partnering with us, please reach out at hello@granitegoodness.com. Thanks for reading!

-Andy

Don’t want to receive this newsletter? Adjust your preferences here.

NOTE FROM ANDY

Hello everyone! WELCOME to the 116 new humans (and their dogs!) who have joined the Granite Goodness community so far in 2026. And big thank you to the 7 new members of our Optimists Club!

Excited to share our first regular newsletter of the year. There is LOTS of good news to share but first— our live show is coming up in three weeks! Come hang out with us and some of our other favorite local podcasts at 3S Artspace. Tickets here!

A bit of housekeeping— we’re trying something new this newsletter. Typically, these include 20-25 stories. In response to feedback from the community, we’re going to run fewer stories per issue (10-15), but publish more often. Also enjoy the new postcards we use for each section, courtesy of the Tichnor Brothers Collection : )

Partner Spotlight!

We’re excited to welcome Resilient Buildings Group (RBG) as our newest Community Partner.

RBG’s mission is simple: scale the number and quality of high performance, low energy, resilient buildings across New England.

Energy efficiency does not always get the spotlight. But it is often the most effective and highest ROI way to lower costs and reduce emissions. While massive solar projects and large infrastructure grab headlines, the quiet work of tightening building envelopes, reducing heat loss, and improving performance delivers real and lasting impact today instead of years into the future.

I personally know many of the (wonderful) people at RBG. Their ethos and approach align deeply with Granite Goodness, where we aim to highlight the people and organizations making meaningful progress on hard issues across New England.

THANK YOU to Resilient Buildings Group and to all of our partners for supporting us! Now enjoy some good news!

GRANITE GREENERY: Sustainability & Nature

New Hampshire’s clean energy idea goes national

A New Hampshire program that sends clean energy experts town to town just won $3 million in federal funding to expand nationwide, helping communities cut costs and emissions. The Energy Circuit Rider model has already saved local governments millions, and now its practical, community first approach is ready to roll across rural America. - Canary Media

Maine beefs up coastal resilience

Maine’s Office of Community Affairs launched a resilience and hazard‑mitigation program that offers grants of up to $50,000 for individual coastal communities and $75,000 for groups to plan long‑term protections against storm surge and sea‑level rise. - Maine Department of Marine Resources

Connecticut launches energy‑efficiency loan and grant fund

Connecticut announced a new $18 million program to help homeowners upgrade heating, cooling, and insulation. The fund will support single- and multifamily homes by removing barriers so more households can make clean, efficient upgrades that pay off fast. - State of Connecticut Governor’s Office

GRANITE GRIT: Building & Infrastructure

In 2025, Connecticut delivers an all time best for infrastructure wins

Last year, the state rebuilt major bridges, repaved 250+ miles of roadway, and pushed 200+ projects under construction while securing over $100 million in state and federal funding for rail, transit, safety, and electric vehicle charging. Award-winning bridge rebuilds, wrong-way driving detection, new train stations, trail improvements, and bus upgrades made statewide travel safer and more reliable. - Connecticut Department of Transportation

Massachusetts invests in closing the digital divide

Massachusetts is investing $4.5 million in digital equity projects across 61 communities, expanding internet access, devices, and digital skills statewide. The funding is helping thousands of residents get connected and pushing the state closer to its goal of internet access for all. - Telecompetitor

Vermont’s small towns get a generational opportunity at building new homes

A new statewide program will invest up to $2 billion through 2035 to help Vermont towns pay for roads, sewers, and other basics needed to unlock new housing. By letting future tax revenue fund today’s infrastructure, the plan opens the door for thousands of new homes, stronger downtowns, and a more affordable future across rural Vermont. - Realtor.com

GRANITE GROWTH: Economics & Opportunity

USDA invests in New England forest health and timber markets

The New England Forestry Foundation just secured a $32 million USDA award to improve forest management across 50,000 acres and strengthen local wood markets across New England. - New England Forestry Foundation

New grants boost main street and local economies across NH

New Hampshire communities are receiving over $9 million in new federal grants to expand child care, upgrade infrastructure, preserve historic places, and strengthen rural economies across six counties. The funding will add child care slots, modernize water and public facilities, support small businesses, and create new jobs. - My Keene Now

Rhode Island’s winter economy buoyed by sports

Sporting events are set to bring $15.5 million in direct spending to Rhode Island in early 2026, with 17 winter tournaments drawing nearly 78,000 visitors and filling more than 18,000 hotel room nights statewide. The growth flips winter from a traditionally slow season into a powerful engine for tourism, jobs, and local economic activity. - What’s Up Newport

GRANITE GADGETS: Science & Technology

MIT cracks a key battery puzzle, opening the door to faster charging

Researchers at MIT developed a new model explaining how lithium ions and electrons move together inside batteries, a breakthrough that could significantly speed up charging and extend battery life. The team tested more than 50 battery material combinations, laying the groundwork for electric vehicles and devices that charge faster, last longer, and waste less energy. - MIT

Colby lands $150 million gift to supercharge science in Maine

Colby College received a $150 million gift, the largest in its history, to build a new science complex and launch applied science, engineering, and public health programs. The investment is expected to catalyze up to $500 million in total impact, strengthen Maine’s science ecosystem, support K–12 STEM education, and help rural communities compete for next generation jobs. - Colby College

Dartmouth study points to safer psilocybin based treatments

Researchers at Dartmouth identified a neural receptor that delivers psilocybin’s antidepressant and anti anxiety benefits without hallucinations. The discovery could lead to safer, more affordable treatments for depression and anxiety. - Dartmouth

GRANITE GOODS: Institutions & Community

New England states awarded over $500 million to advance rural healthcare

New England is seeing a historic infusion of federal support to strengthen health care in its rural communities, with New Hampshire projected to receive about $204 million, Vermont around $195 million, Maine roughly $190 million, Massachusetts about $162 million, Connecticut around $154 million, and Rhode Island about $156 million in the programs’ first year alone.

The funds are all part of a nationwide $50 billion effort to expand access, modernize facilities, and build up the rural health workforce. This unprecedented investment will help bring better preventive care, new health care workers, upgraded technology, and stronger local systems to towns and villages across the region, making high-quality care more reachable for rural Americans. - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Electric‑bill relief expands for low‑income Mainers

Maine’s Low‑Income Assistance Program will receive $33 million (50% increase) and expand eligibility to households earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty line. The revamped program introduces predictable monthly discounts instead of lump‑sum credits, automatically enrolls eligible ratepayers, and aims to make it easier for struggling households to manage energy costs. - Maine Morning Star

RI Girls coalition receives major philanthropic boost

The Rhode Island Foundation awarded a $750,000 three‑year Catalyst Grant to five nonprofits led by the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England to launch the state’s first Girls Coalition. The coalition will coordinate programs, share data and advocate for the well‑being of girls and gender‑expansive youth, building on findings from the RI Girls Report. - What’s Up Newport

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter! If you’d like to support Granite Goodness, consider joining our Optimists Club.

We also post on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook. Learn about the people behind these stories on our podcast. You can customize what you receive from us here.

All postard images are sourced from the Tichnor Brothers Collection at the Boston Public Library, licensed under CCO 1.0.

Hungry for other stories of progress, innovation, and good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our friends at , , or our very own Optimists Club newsletter.

If you are interested in sponsoring this newsletter or partnering with us, please reach out at hello@granitegoodness.com. Thanks for reading!

-Andy

Don’t want to receive this newsletter? Adjust your preferences here.

NOTE FROM ANDY

Hello everyone! I hope to see many of you this week for Granite Goodness: LIVE!1

Get your tickets ASAP and use code GRANITE for a discount : )

Glad to be back today with more Granite Goodness! It has been a wild time these past few weeks. There are now over 1,000 of you! Subscriber growth is ticking up! If you haven’t introduced yourself to me yet— please do! Who are you? And what made you subscribe?

Thanks to you all Granite Goodness continues to grow and flourish. The enthusiasm from this community has garnered this project more recognition and awards (on top of already being named Young Person of the Year by Stay Work Play NH!)

We’re just getting started. Thanks to everyone for coming to our Sustainabili-brews meetup last week, and see you all Thursday at the Rex Theatre in Manchester! And stay tuned this week for our episode with Anthony Poore and Jo Porter from the NH Center for Justice & Equity.

SPONSOR

We’re often told that the current year is uniquely terrible, that everything is falling apart, and that hope for a better future is naive. Certainly, if you only pay attention to the worst headlines, it can feel that way.

But at Granite Goodness, we tell a different story.

Most big problems build slowly. By the time they reach the news cycle, it’s easy to present them in an overwhelming way.

Take a scan of today’s headlines and you might miss for example, that the United States has possibly entered the first period on record where every major cause of premature death (car crashes, murder, heart disease, overdoses) is declining together. Or that we are on track to achieve a historic low in the number of people imprisoned in America.

All of these problems were once presented as overwhelming— hopeless even— capturing the attention of many media cycles. But quietly over time, millions of people collaborated, innovated, and worked to make it better. If all one saw was the initial snapshot of a problem, you’d miss the world of possibility that came afterward.

That sense of possibility is why I am proud to have Grappone Automotive sponsor this newsletter.

If you’d met the Grappones in 1924, you’d only have a picture of some scrappy Italians who operate and run a small gas station in NH. Missing from that impression would be the thriving business and community ecosystem built from the family over the next century, and the thousands of people who helped to make that happen.

Amanda Grappone, their fourth generation steward, joined me earlier this year on Granite Goodness to share that journey.

In honor of their 100 years of service to New Hampshire, we also compiled 100 local stories of Granite Staters making the world better in 2025.

Thank you to Amanda and the entire Grappone family for their support of Granite Goodness and for being our presenting sponsor at Granite Goodness: LIVE!

And now, enjoy some good news : )

-Andy

GRANITE GREENERY - Sustainability & Environment

New England’s last coal plant switches off for good

In Bow, NH, the Merrimack Station coal plant has closed three years ahead of schedule, ending coal use across all of New England. The site will be reborn as a clean-energy hub with solar and battery storage, and advocates say the transition will meaningfully shrink the region’s carbon footprint. - NH Bulletin

Maine launches fund to protect climate-ready coastlines

Maine Coast Heritage Trust has opened applications for its new $4.1 million Climate Resilience Conservation Fund, offering grants for projects that protect land, buffer storms, and reduce flooding risks. It’s part of a broader effort to build a coastline that can weather the decades ahead. - Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Massachusetts puts new resources into marine recovery

Nearly $500,000 from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust will support work to protect endangered marine species, including whale and sea turtle rescue and habitat restoration. Every specialty license plate sold helps sustain the effort. - Mass.gov

Rhode Island backs small clean-ups with big community impact

Rhode Island’s latest round of Litter-Free microgrants is helping residents plant trees, create public art, and clean up local parks. With awards up to $2,000 and nearly 200 microgrants given since last year, the program shows how small interventions can scale to transform public spaces. - RI.gov

Connecticut rolls out a major resilience fund

Connecticut has launched a 2025 Climate Resilience Fund with more than $44 million available for towns and nonprofits. The goal: help communities design projects that defend against extreme weather, from energy resilience to nature-based protection. - CT.gov

GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure

Allenstown upgrades its wastewater plant to protect the Merrimack

Allenstown is beginning an $11 million overhaul of its wastewater facility, adding new clarifiers and modern systems that will send cleaner water into the Suncook and Merrimack Rivers. It’s a small town project with big downstream benefits, helping safeguard a watershed shared by nearly 200 New England communities. - Hoyle Tanner

Vermont expands its EV fast-charging spine

Vermont has secured nearly $16 million to build 50 to 60 fast-charging ports across the state. New stations in places like Randolph and Wilmington will help accelerate the shift to cleaner transportation. - VT Public

Augusta gets a new Western Avenue Bridge

MaineDOT has begun a $30 million rebuild of the Western Avenue Bridge, upgrading one of central Maine’s busiest corridors with safer lanes, new utilities, and smoother connections to I-95. It’s a practical infrastructure win that will make everyday travel easier for thousands of people moving through the capital. - Maine DOT

Rhode Island invests $120 million in new housing tools

Rhode Island’s housing bond programs are now underway, offering millions for infrastructure, planning, and supportive housing. It’s a major push to expand the state’s housing pipeline at multiple scales. - RI.gov

Connecticut boosts funding to help towns fix their roads

Connecticut is increasing its Town Aid Road grants by 33 percent, raising support to $80 million for the next two years. The investment will give every town the resources to repave streets, repair bridges, and strengthen local infrastructure, helping communities across the state build safer, smoother roads for years to come. - CT.gov

GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce

A new apprenticeship strengthens NH’s early-childhood workforce

A partnership across ApprenticeshipNH, River Valley Community College, and Head Start is launching a new apprenticeship model that blends 4,000 hours of paid work with coursework leading to a degree. It’s built to ease New Hampshire’s shortage of early-childhood educators. - Apprenticeship NH

Maine expands its cybersecurity talent pipeline

The University of Maine at Augusta has won a $200,000 federal grant to train new cybersecurity workers through micro-credentials, boot camps, and apprenticeships, with a goal of placing most participants in jobs within six months. - University of Maine

Vermont launches forgivable loans for trades careers

A new $3 million program in Vermont will fully cover tuition and licensing for high-demand trades like construction and mechanical fields. Graduates who work in-state can have their loans forgiven. - VT Student Assistance Corporation

Rhode Island invests in its farm and food future

RI Grown Week brought a wave of new grants totaling more than $575,000 to support farmers, school food literacy, specialty crops, and second-generation producers. It’s part of a growing effort to strengthen local food systems. - RI Dept. of Environemtnal Management

GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation

A new innovation hub takes shape in New Haven

Connecticut is investing $50.5 million to jumpstart an innovation district in downtown New Haven. The funding will support a new innovation center, climate-resilient streetscapes, and facilities to accelerate quantum tech and life-science development. - CT.Gov

UVM’s new AI Fund sparks cross-campus experimentation

The University of Vermont has launched an AI Innovation Fund offering mini-grants and larger awards for workshops, research, and interdisciplinary projects. The goal is simple: help more people experiment with emerging tools. - University of Vermont

MIT’s tiny injectable antenna could change medical implants

MIT researchers have created a 200-micrometer magnetoelectric antenna that can wirelessly power deep-tissue implants. It generates more power than previous designs and could enable battery-free pacemakers and other micro-devices. - MIT

Quantum science gets a boost in Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island has secured a five-year, $5 million NSF grant to expand quantum research, support students, and build a new dedicated lab, strengthening New England’s growing quantum corridor. - University of Rhode Island

UConn scientists develop rapid Alzheimer’s blood tests

Chemists at UConn have created two low-cost tests that detect Alzheimer’s-related microRNA markers using CRISPR technology. The approach could bring earlier, more accessible diagnosis to clinics. - University of Connecticut

GRANITE GRATITUDE - Nonprofits & Public Sector

Cambridge strengthens its safety net

Cambridge and the Cambridge Community Foundation are investing $500,000 in food pantries and grocery assistance for residents affected by the federal shutdown, helping ensure families and seniors have reliable access to food. - Cambridge Community Foundation

A historic gift fuels Saint Anselm’s next century

A $40 million gift from Robert and Beverly Grappone2 will support business innovation, the humanities, nursing, athletics, and student life at Saint Anselm College, marking the largest contribution in the school’s history. - Philanthropy News Digest

Rockefeller Fund invests in vibrant Vermont communities

The Laurance and Mary Rockefeller Fund is offering grants of $1,000 to $5,000 to support projects that strengthen nature, culture, and community well-being in Woodstock and neighboring towns. The program helps local groups bring new energy and possibility to central Vermont. - Common Good VT

Bangor opens a collaborative home for Maine’s nonprofits

Heart of Maine United Way has launched a first-of-its-kind nonprofit hub in Bangor, giving local organizations a shared space to meet, collaborate, and spark new ideas. Leaders say the center will strengthen partnerships across the region and help nonprofits work together in more creative, impactful ways. - Spectrum News

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter! We also post on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook. Be sure to check out our other newsletters or the people behind these stories on our podcast. You can customize what you receive from us here.

Hungry for other stories of progress, innovation, and good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our friends at or The Progress Network.

If you are interested in sponsoring this newsletter or partnering with us, please reach out at hello@granitegoodness.com.

See you Thursday for Granite Goodness: LIVE!3

Don’t want to receive this newsletter? Adjust your preferences here.

NOTE FROM ANDY

Lots happening here at Granite Goodness! We’ve just gone on two more podcasts— & It’s Freitag. Don’t miss our interview dropping Tues with Gov. Kelly Ayotte. We’re also planning the first live show, so stay tuned for details on that!

Another important announcement— starting next week, I will be rolling out statewide newsletters for each state in New England. I’ll send a more formal email about this, but you can adjust your subscription preferences if you’d like to to receive any of these here.

IN THIS EDITION

NH saves money from safe workplaces and expands childcare, ME ramps up renewables, VT invests in housing and tech, MA funds major transit upgrades, RI makes road repairs permanent, and CT boosts housing and youth jobs. Plus, Dartmouth launches a CubeSat with NASA.

SPONSOR

A big thank you to my friend Jesse Lore and the team at Green Wave Electric Vehicles for sponsoring this newsletter.

EVs are cleaner, quieter, easier on the wallet, and a lot more fun to drive. With the $4,000 used EV tax credit ending this September, now is the perfect time to make the switch. Jesse and his crew don’t just sell cars. They help people find the right fit and feel part of a community! Plus, they plant 100 trees for every EV purchased. As Jesse puts it best:

“Save the planet with a really cool car at Green Wave.”

Learn more about Jesse and Green Wave on episode #40 of Granite Goodness.

And now please enjoy your regular dose of Granite Goodness : )

-Andy

GRANITE GREENERY - Sustainability & Environment

UNH Sustainability Institute strengthens municipal resilience network

A $100,000 Barr Foundation grant will expand the New England Municipal Sustainability Network, enabling nearly 40 cities and towns to collaborate on climate, public health and clean‑energy projects while engaging students in applied research. - University of NH Sustainability Institute

*Shout out to Granite Goodness alums Fiona Wilson and Dovev Levine for this amazing achievement!

Massachusetts ramps up solar savings with new programs

New solar programs launched in June 2025 will provide $300 million in annual savings and benefits, speed up solar installations, reduce charges and create a mitigation fund for conservation land. - Mass.gov

Connecticut secures long‑term funding for land conservation and farmland access

The 2025 legislative session authorized $10 million per year for the Open Space and Watershed Acquisition Program, created a $10  million farmland access fund and increased Community Investment Act contributions to ensure lasting investments in conservation and climate resilience. - Connecticut Land Conservation Council

Vermont invests in flood + housing resilience

Vermont secured about $68 million in federal community development block grants to help towns damaged by 2023 flooding rebuild stronger infrastructure and relocate housing away from floodplains. - wcax.com

GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure

Build for CT supporting thousands of new housing units

Connecticut’s $200 million Build for CT program is adding 2,700 apartments, including hundreds at below-market rents, sparking development from Bridgeport to Haddam. The initiative is drawing new builders and tackling the state’s housing shortage head-on. - CT Insider

Northern Border Commission awards $53.9 million for infrastructure projects across New England

The Northern Border Regional Commission just announced a record $53.9 million in grants to boost economic development and upgrade infrastructure across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. From new dental clinics and wastewater plants to trails, bridges, and community centers, these 69 projects will spark jobs, housing, and vitality in rural communities across the region. - Northern Border Regional Commission

Massachusetts adopts an $18.5 billion five‑year transportation plan

Massachusetts just approved an $18.5 billion, five-year transportation plan that will fund everything from new MBTA vehicles and West-East Rail to major bridge replacements and bike-pedestrian trails. The investments aim to create a more connected, equitable state by improving transit, roads, airports, and local infrastructure across the Commonwealth. - Mass.gov

Rhode Island restores local road and bridge program and awards new grants

Rhode Island has made RhodeRestore a permanent program, unlocking $6.5 million in new funding to repair local roads and bridges across all 39 cities and towns. Since its 2023 launch, RhodeRestore has already fueled nearly 1,100 projects and $110 million in improvements, making commutes safer, boosting local economies, and revitalizing communities statewide. - Office of Governor Dan McKee

GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce

Safer workplaces saves NH money for 14th year in a row

New Hampshire approved a 6.1% cut to workers’ compensation rates for 2026, the 14th straight annual decrease. The change saves businesses money, protects workers, and highlights long-term progress in safety, healthcare, and the state’s economy. - NH Insurance Dept

Vermont pilots regional workforce expansion partnerships

The Vermont Department of Labor is launching collaborative partnerships in the Northeast Kingdom and Addison County to connect employers, educators and partners, address workforce shortages in manufacturing and healthcare and provide targeted support to underemployed populations. – VT Department of Labor

Hartford region funds youth employment and learning opportunities

This summer, more than 1,200 young people in North Central Connecticut (800 in Hartford alone) are gaining paid job experience and career training through the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program. - Hartford Foundation

Vermont offers matching grants to commercialize cutting‑edge technologies

Vermont is offering Elevate Vermont matching grants of up to $50,000 to help tech startups and small companies bring new innovations to market. The program supports businesses with federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer awards, funding costs like marketing, research, and sales development to strengthen Vermont’s innovation economy. – VT Department of Economic Development

GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation

MassVentures backs 26 startups to commercialize deep‑tech innovations

The SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) program awarded $4.5 million in grants to 26 Massachusetts startups in fields such as climate tech, biotech, advanced materials and quantum computing, helping to convert federally funded research into businesses and jobs. - MassVentures

Maine to build a state‑of‑the‑art life sciences incubator

A $2.7 million grant program through the Maine Technology Institute will establish a life‑sciences incubator that supports emerging companies, promotes research and entrepreneurship and enhances a sector already contributing about $2.3 billion to the state’s economy. - Office of Governor Janet Mills

Rhode Island invests $9.7 million in ocean‑technology innovation campuses

The McKee Administration’s Innovation Campus initiative funds a Blue Robotics Lab in Newport and an Ocean Technology Innovation Center at the URI Bay Campus, leveraging public–private partnerships to commercialize undersea robots and create an estimated 425 jobs over a decade. – RI Commerce Corporation

Dartmouth launches first CubeSat with NASA to unlock secrets of Earth’s radiation belts

Dartmouth researchers just launched their first CubeSat mission with NASA, sending a shoebox-sized satellite into orbit to study how high-energy particles escape Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts. Led by physics professor Robyn Millan, the project will deliver groundbreaking data that protects satellites and deepens our understanding of the magnetic shield that makes life on Earth possible. - Dartmouth

GRANITE GRATITUDE - Nonprofits & Public Sector

Vermont expands Money Follows the Person assistance to help people leave care facilities

The state increased one‑time assistance from $2,500 to $9,000 for older adults and people with disabilities moving out of hospitals or nursing homes, covering home modifications, equipment, security deposits and transportation so they can live independently. – Vermont Public

Maine trains social workers to tackle youth mental‑health crisis

The University of Maine, supported by the John T. Gorman Foundation, launched a program to train graduate students in the evidence‑based MATCH therapy; up to 30 students will treat nearly 100 youths, expanding the state’s behavioral‑health workforce. – UMaine News

Connecticut launches Early Start CT universal childcare endowment

Connecticut launched Early Start CT, a universal childcare endowment that will cover pre-K costs for low-income families and expand to those earning up to $100,000 by 2027. - WSHU

New Hampshire child‑care scholarship enrollment surges as state invests in workforce

More than 5,000 children are now enrolled in the state–federal Child Care Scholarship Program after expanded eligibility; families pay little or nothing for care, and lawmakers have allocated $15 million in one‑time funds for bonuses and benefits to support child‑care workers. - NH Bulletin

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter! We also post on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook. Be sure to check out our other newsletters covering New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or the people behind these stories on our podcast. You can customize what you receive from us here.

Hungry for other stories of progress, innovation, and good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our friends at or The Progress Network.

If you are interested in sponsoring this newsletter or partnering with us, please reach out at hello@granitegoodness.com.

-Andy

Howdy everyone, and thanks for waiting for this edition of the newsletter! It’s been a crazy time here at Granite Goodness. In the last couple of weeks, we’ve joined the Progress Network, appeared on another podcast, joined our friends at for their film festival, and released interviews with NH policy heavyweights Taylor Caswell and Mike Skelton. If you’re around Portsmouth tomorrow, come join myself, Stay Work Play, and a bunch of cool people at Treeline Outfitters.

In this edition: Maine ramps up renewables and job training, Vermont expands energy rebates and affordable housing, Massachusetts invests big in housing and workforce skills, Rhode Island backs farm solar and microplastics research, Connecticut upgrades bridges and adds jobs, and New Hampshire funds climate-smart farming and launches an AI task force.

MANY THANKS to my friend Jesse Lore at Green Wave Electric Vehicles for sponsoring this newsletter.

EVs are cleaner, quieter, easier on your wallet, and honestly just more fun to drive. And with the $4,000 used EV tax credit ending this September, it’s a great time to think about making the switch. Jesse and his crew are all about helping people find the right car and feel part of a bigger community while doing it. They even plant 100 trees for every EV purchased! Put another way, as Jesse likes to say:

“Save the planet with a really cool car at Green Wave.”

Learn more about Jesse and Green Wave on episode #40 of Granite Goodness.

And now, enjoy some good news.

GRANITE GREENERY - Sustainability & Environment

Maine issues RFP for new renewable energy projects

The Maine Public Utilities Commission released a request for proposals seeking cost‑effective renewable power that could supply about 13 percent of the state’s electricity needs. Eligible projects include solar, wind, hydro and biomass, with selection based on price, environmental benefits and economic impact. – Maine Governor’s Energy Office

Rhode Island awards $400,000 in farm energy grants

Governor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and the Department of Environmental Management awarded more than $400,000 to 23 farms so they can install solar panels, efficient lighting and irrigation systems. The grants lower energy costs for farmers and advance the state’s climate goals by supporting clean‑energy upgrades in agriculture. – Rhode Island OER/DEM

Vermont expands energy‑efficiency incentives

Efficiency Vermont broadened eligibility for rebates on heat pumps, weatherization and high‑efficiency appliances, making more households eligible for higher incentives. The updated program aims to cut household energy use and emissions while making home upgrades more affordable. – Efficiency Vermont

New Hampshire awards more than $300k for climate‑resilience projects

New Hampshire’s Climate Resilience Grant Program distributed more than $300,000 across 44 farms to support energy efficiency, drought‑ready irrigation, soil‑health improvements and riparian restoration projects. Officials said the grants empower farmers statewide to adapt to climate change and strengthen long‑term viability. – Morning Ag Clips

GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure

Vermont starts construction on 40 permanently affordable apartments

Champlain Housing Trust and Evernorth began building 40 permanently affordable apartments at Burlington’s Cambrian Rise. The climate‑conscious project uses geothermal heating and rooftop solar and is part of a larger neighborhood where 210 homes will remain affordable. Funding includes $23.8 million from local, state and federal partners. – Evernorth

Massachusetts invests $182 million to create ~1,200 affordable homes

The Healey–Driscoll administration awarded $182 million in tax credits and subsidies to 21 rental developments, creating or preserving 1,245 homes for seniors, families and formerly homeless residents. Officials said the expanded tax credit will enable more affordable housing production and has already helped build thousands of units since the governor took office. – Mass.gov

Maine’s Fidium expands multi‑gig fiber to Gorham

Fidium Fiber announced that its multi‑gig network now reaches more than 4,200 homes and businesses in Gorham, Maine. More than 385,000 homes statewide can now access its network. – Fidium Fiber

Connecticut invests $17 million in infrastructure

Connecticut’s Department of Transportation awarded $17.3 million to 15 municipal bridge projects through the State Local Bridge Program, which covers half the cost of locally owned bridge repairs and replacements. To date, the program has provided $162 million to help towns keep more than 4,200 local bridges safe and reliable. - CT.gov

GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce

Maine’s $8.3 million grant fuels free workforce training

Maine’s community colleges will use an $8.3 million grant from the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce to offer free short‑term training for up to 6,700 residents. The programs cover trades like construction, healthcare, IT and manufacturing. – Maine’s Community Colleges

Vermont grants expand childcare capacity and workforce support

First Children’s Finance awarded planning grants to 18 childcare programs, including The Learning Tree at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, to fund feasibility studies and expansion plans. The Learning Tree aims to add classrooms, a kitchen and a playground to serve 100 children, supporting working families and strengthening the local economy. – Vermont Biz

New Hampshire’s construction unemployment rate falls to 1.3 percent

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that New Hampshire posted the nation’s third‑lowest construction unemployment rate at 1.3 percent in June 2025. Apprenticeship programs and outreach to young workers are helping keep the state’s building sector robust and poised for continued growth. – ABC NH/VT

Connecticut adds 6,300 jobs and maintains low unemployment

Connecticut gained 6,300 jobs in June, bringing total employment to 1.718 million — the highest since March 2008. The unemployment rate remained at 3.8 percent, below the national 4.1 percent, while labor force participation climbed to 64.8 percent and manufacturing reported 5,000 open jobs. – CT Department of Labor

Rhode Island grant expands skilled trades training

The Lowe’s Foundation awarded $1 million to the Community College of Rhode Island to expand hands‑on training programs for high‑demand trades. College president Rosemary Costigan said the grant will equip students with tools and mentorship to thrive as Rhode Island looks to fill critical workforce gaps. – Rhode Island Current

Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund invests over $20 million

The Commonwealth Corporation’s Workforce Training Fund Program awarded more than $20 million to businesses across Massachusetts to train 18,000 workers and add 1,200 jobs. The grants will support worker upskilling and help companies grow statewide. – Commonwealth Corporation

GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation

NH Tech Alliance creates AI Task Force

The New Hampshire Tech Alliance launched an AI Task Force on July 14, bringing together government, industry and academic leaders to develop responsible AI policy and promote ethical innovation. Co‑chairs Philip Magnuszewski and Holly Neiweem said the group will host public forums and help the state lead in transparent, inclusive AI practices. – NH Tech Alliance

UConn cancer research opens possibilities for personalized melanoma treatment

UConn researchers found that a two-drug immunotherapy can make the immune system stronger against melanoma and help patients respond better to treatment. Their work suggests doctors may soon be able to predict which patients will benefit most. - University of Connecticut

Rhode Island colleges secure $7 million NSF grant to study microplastics

A consortium of Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island, Brown University and Roger Williams University received a $7 million NSF grant to research microplastics saturating Narragansett Bay. The interdisciplinary team will sample sediments, fish and invertebrates and work with communities to reduce plastic waste and understand socio‑ecological impacts. – University of Rhode Island

Maine researchers reveal hidden diatoms in the Southern Ocean

Scientists at Bigelow Laboratory found that two types of tiny ocean plants—diatoms and coccolithophores—can live together even when nutrients are scarce in the Southern Ocean. This discovery will help improve climate models and satellite tracking of how the ocean stores carbon. – Bigelow Laboratory

UNH study links non‑competes to reduced innovation

A study by UNH finance professor Zhaozhao He found that stricter non‑compete agreements lower patent values by over 30 percent and limit workers’ bargaining power and mobility. The research, cited by the Federal Trade Commission in its 2024 rule banning most non‑competes, shows how Granite State scholarship is influencing national innovation policy. – UNH Today

GRANITE GRATITUDE - Nonprofits & Public Sector

Cummings Foundation funds 150 nonprofits with $30 million in support

The Cummings Foundation is investing $30 million into 150 Boston-area nonprofits, providing multi-year grants that will help organizations grow, innovate, and expand their impact. This commitment ensures long-term stability for groups tackling housing, education, women’s empowerment, and more. - Philanthropy News Digest

Small nonprofits get free employee assistance program

The New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, partnering with the NH Charitable Foundation and KGA, launched a free employee assistance program for small nonprofits. Thirty‑six organizations with 165 staff joined in July, giving employees and their families 24/7 access to confidential counseling, childcare and eldercare referrals and legal and financial guidance. – NH Charitable Foundation

Bank of NH invests $5,000 in family homelessness program

The Bank of NH donated $5,000 to Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire’s Affordable Housing Expansion Initiative. The contribution will provide financial assistance and case management to families experiencing homelessness and help increase the supply of stable housing. – Bank of NH

GRANITE GREATNESS: Human Interest & Our Favorite Stories

NH man sets new record for summiting 48 mountains

This summer, Jackson native Andrew Drummond set a new record by completing New Hampshire’s 48 tallest mountains in a single unsupported hike, covering over 200 miles in just 4 days, 22 hours, and 43 minutes. Known as the White Mountain Direttissima (an Italian term meaning “the most direct route”), this legendary trail links all the state’s 4,000-footers in one continuous push. - NHPR

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter. This newsletter is free and shareable to anyone anywhere. We also post on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook.

For more personal stories about progress and problem solving across NH & New England, check our podcast, Granite Goodness, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, and everywhere else. If you have any story tips, questions, feedback, or just want to say hi you can write us at hello@granitegoodness.com.

Hungry for other stories of progress, innovation, and good news beyond the borders of Yankeedom? Check out our friends at or The Progress Network.

Thank you for reading!

-Andy

For more personal stories about progress and problem solving across NH and New England, check our podcast, Granite Goodness, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, and everywhere else. If you have any story tips, questions, feedback, or just want to say hi you can write us at hello@granitegoodness.com.

Too many emails? Adjust your subscriber preferences here.

1 year ago, this project began focusing on New Hampshire. Today, it expands. For the full story behind this change, read our latest piece. For longtime subscribers, know that the Good News in NH Newsletter will continue— each of these newsletters has its own section of our site!

In this edition: New England towns go green with EV fleets, net-zero schools, and marsh restoration powered by bird backpacks. Vermont launches a weatherization workforce, while Maine and Rhode Island tackle housing with zoning reform and prefab ADUs. New England leads the nation in economic complexity, nonprofit news thrives in Maine, and $26M in USDA grants fuel stronger local food systems across the region.

Enjoy!

GRANITE GREENERY - Sustainability & Environment

New weatherization center brings jobs and lower heating bills to Vermont

A new training center in Barre is helping Vermonters join the trades and cut energy costs. Funded by a $2 million federal grant, the VIEW center will train workers to weatherize homes—boosting job opportunities and helping families save up to 30% on heating bills. It’s a key step toward Vermont’s climate goals, with thousands of homes already upgraded and momentum growing statewide. - WCAX3

Massachusetts towns are quietly building the future—one solar panel, heat pump, and EV at a time

Watertown, Newton, and Williamstown are leading on local decarbonization with net-zero buildings, EV fleets, and clean energy upgrades—proving that with the right tools and support, climate action is already happening at the local level. - CommonWealth Beacon

Rhode Island launches major flood resilience plan for Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed

Rhode Island is developing a major plan to reduce flooding, protect ecosystems, and strengthen infrastructure in the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed, which covers 25% of the state. The effort will help communities prepare for climate-driven storms while preserving farmland, forests, and wildlife. - USDA

NH Community Power rates adjust as local energy grows

Starting August 1, Community Power rates will rise slightly to 13.2–13.7¢/kWh—still below traditional utility hikes. Backed by strong local advocacy, customers avoid past utility charges, while new clean energy projects like a 5MW solar array in Warner move forward—powering 1,200 homes and advancing energy independence across New Hampshire. - Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire

Connecticut releases new wildlife conservation plan

Connecticut’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan, developed with UConn scientists, identifies over 1,000 Species of Greatest Conservation Need and newly mapped Conservation Opportunity Areas to guide targeted habitat protection, restoration, and land-use planning. The plan integrates ecological and spatial data with stakeholder input to drive statewide, science-based conservation efforts. - University of Connecticut

GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure

Maine passes law easing zoning rules to boost housing

Maine lawmakers have approved new zoning reforms that reduce lot size requirements, allow more units per lot, and streamline local reviews in designated growth areas. The changes aim to lower construction costs, encourage multi-unit housing like triplexes and quadplexes, and make it easier for homeowners to add units. – Maine Public

Rhode Island startup offers prefab ADU plans to ease housing crisis

Dwelly, a Rhode Island–based startup, is offering high-performance, ready-to-permit accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs to help homeowners add sustainable housing more easily. Their pre-approved plans are designed to meet local regulations, reduce construction costs, and speed up permitting. Backed by recent zoning reforms in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Dwelly aims to expand access to small, efficient housing across New England. – Boston Globe

Federal funding boosts major upgrades at Bradley and Danbury airports

Bradley International and Danbury Municipal airports are receiving $8.7 million in federal funds to support terminal expansion and safety upgrades, marking a major step forward in modernizing Connecticut’s air travel infrastructure. - CT Insider

Vermont awarded $67.8M to rebuild stronger after 2023 floods

Vermont is receiving $67.8 million in federal disaster recovery funds to help communities bounce back stronger from the July 2023 floods. The investment will support long-term recovery, rebuild vital infrastructure, and restore housing—especially in the hardest-hit counties like Lamoille, Washington, and beyond. - Vermont Biz

GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce

New England leads the nation in economic complexity

New England is home to the most economically complex states in the country, according to MIT’s Observatory of Economic Complexity — a strong indicator of long-term economic resilience and innovation capacity.

New Hampshire now ranks #1 in the nation, driven by a diverse and interconnected economy. The state’s exports are packed with high-value products like aerospace components, precision machinery, and advanced manufacturing goods — many of which support major players like Boeing, Airbus, and SpaceX. This complexity signals not only current economic strength, but also a high potential for future growth.

Massachusetts, long a national leader in biotech, defense, and education, came in at #2, while Connecticut — with its robust aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors — ranked #3. These rankings reflect the depth of New England’s knowledge economy and its global trade relationships.

Together, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut form a regional economic engine built on innovation, trade, and specialization — a model of how smaller states can lead through complexity, not just scale. - NH Business Review

UVM wins $1.2M grant to grow Vermont’s mental health workforce

A new $1.2 million federal grant will help the University of Vermont train more clinical psychologists to serve rural and underserved communities. The VT HEALS program will expand access to care, support the next generation of mental health leaders, and strengthen Vermont’s response to challenges like trauma and substance use—bringing hope and healing to more Vermonters. - Vermont Biz

UConn, URI create electric boat launch program for oceanic employment

UConn and URI have partnered with General Dynamics Electric Boat to launch ANCHOR, a five-year initiative to build a robust talent pipeline for the undersea technology sector. The program will expand STEM education, teacher training, and career pathways across southern New England—strengthening the region’s position as a global leader in advanced marine engineering and innovation. - University of Connecticut

GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation

MIT spinout revolutionizes metal manufacturing with solid-state technology

Foundation Alloy, a startup founded by MIT alumni and faculty, is pioneering a new method of producing ultra-high-performance metal alloys without melting raw materials. Their solid-state metallurgy process enables faster, cheaper, and more precise development of advanced metals for aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial tooling. Backed by years of academic research, the company is already piloting parts for industries from automotive to nuclear fusion. – MIT News

UNH study finds New England farmers redefining success

A UNH study shows New England farmers are finding resilience beyond traditional food sales—embracing agritourism, off-farm income, and sustainability. With most earning under $25K annually, many prioritize well-being, land stewardship, and community over profit, pointing to a hopeful, adaptive future for local farms. - UNH Today

UConn research suggests more effective treatments for addiction recovery

A new UConn-led study finds that offering higher rewards through Contingency Management—a proven addiction recovery therapy—can help more people stay on track, especially in the early stages of recovery. With clear, evidence-based guidance on how much support makes a difference, the research offers a hopeful path forward to expand access to one of the most effective tools for treating addiction. - University of Connecticut

USDA grant helps Maine’s maple industry thrive in a changing climate

With maple seasons shifting, UMaine researchers are equipping producers with tools to adapt and succeed. Backed by a $481K USDA grant, the team is launching new training programs to boost forest health, improve sap yields, and build climate resilience—helping ensure Maine’s iconic maple industry remains strong for generations to come. - University of Maine

GRANITE GRATITUDE - Nonprofits & Public Sector

NH Gives raises $3.4 million for nearly 650 nonprofits in just 24 Hours

In a powerful show of community support, NH Gives raised over $3.4 million for nearly 650 nonprofits across New Hampshire during its 24-hour online giving event. Organized by the NH Center for Nonprofits, the annual effort has now raised more than $22 million since 2016—fueling local impact and strengthening the Granite State’s vibrant nonprofit sector. – Union Leader

Maine leads the way on nonprofit news

Maine is becoming a national model for nonprofit journalism, with most of its daily and weekly newspapers now under nonprofit ownership. From coastal towns to inland communities, a new wave of public-spirited media is filling coverage gaps, fostering collaboration, and keeping local stories alive. Maine’s experiment shows how civic-minded philanthropy, community support, and creative ownership models can reinvigorate local news in rural America—and point the way forward for the rest of the country. - Nieman Reports

USDA invests in local food resilience across New England

The USDA has opened three major grant programs to grow local food systems, improve infrastructure, and expand market access for farms, food hubs, and community partners. With over $26 million available, funding supports everything from farmers markets and CSAs to cold storage, value-added production, and regional food system coordination. Vermont businesses in towns under 5,000 may also qualify for free grant writing support through the REDI program. – Common Good Vermont

GRANITE GREATNESS: Human Interest & Our Favorite Stories

UNH is protecting New England’s salt marshes—one tiny bird backpack at a time.

As rising seas threaten coastal ecosystems, UNH researchers are fitting salt marsh sparrows with solar-powered backpacks to track how they move, nest, and thrive in healthy marshes. The data is helping guide smarter restoration across New England, ensuring stronger, more resilient marshes for both wildlife and the coastal communities that depend on them. - NHPR

That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter. This newsletter is free and shareable to anyone anywhere. We also post on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook.

If you are hungry for other stories of progress, innovation, and good news beyond the borders of Yankeedom, check out our friends at Fix the News or The Progress Network.

Thank you for reading!

-Andy