Welcome to the Good News in New England Newsletter, part of Granite Goodness. We share optimistic stories of progress, innovation, and problem-solving from across New England.
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HELLO OPTIMISTS!
Happy Sunday, we have some fresh good news.
Before that, we’re welcoming Sam Coetzee and Sara Bee to our Optimists Club.
“Joining the Optimists Club was a small and intentional way for me to encourage positive thinking in my community! Andy and Kaelli get it — optimism doesn’t mean turning a blind eye when things are bad. It means knowing good things are worth fighting for.” - Sam
“I joined because I want the world- and New England - to be a happy place! And because Andy DeMeo is the most genuine and entertaining person I know.” - Sara (being way too kind obviously)
Just to be super clear, being in the Optimists Club means we physically mail you good news. Yes, I mean snail mail! I got this reaction from someone the other day:
If you’re in the club already and don’t get the mail (but want to!) let me know!
We’re also releasing our conversation with Henry Herndon, who helps towns across NH gain control over their energy supply, often saving money and gaining cleaner energy in the process through the local-organizing-miracle that is community power. Thanks for making the time Henry! (Spotify)
If anyone is looking for something very cool to do in early October, I’d highly encourage you to check out the Radically Rural conference in Keene, NH (Oct 6-8) put on by our friends at the Hannah Grimes Center and led by none other than Julianna Dodson (Optimists Club member and longtime collaborator to Granite Goodness!) Our team member Kaelli will be there capturing some video for the event. If you’re there, say hi!
This week’s featured partner is Resilient Buildings Group. This is the time to be thinking about weatherizing your home + energy efficiency upgrades. If you are, they are the people to ask! I know many of the staff and can attest, they are all wonderful people.
Now enjoy some good news.
Sustainability & Nature
Vermont launches ambitious statewide bikepacking network with Heart of the Greens trail. The 38-mile loop through the Green Mountain National Forest features two off-grid huts and kicks off the “Velomont”, a 485-mile bikepacking route that will connect rural towns, backcountry communities, and open Vermont’s wilderness to new travelers.
Connecticut funds preservation of 1,200 acres and urban green spaces. Governor Ned Lamont announced $9.4 million in state funding to protect open land across 15 towns, moving CT closer to the goal of preserving 21% of its land base. An additional $2.4 million will also improve community gardens in cities across the state.
Rachel Carson Center opens in Maine as new hub for environmental education. The 12,000-square-foot facility in Kennebunk will serve 300,000 annual visitors across its 6,000-acre refuge offering trails through salt marshes, exhibits on endangered species, and community programming.
Building & Infrastructure
New England breaks wind power record with 2,000 megawatts generated. For the first time, offshore and land-based wind farms produced more electricity than all of New Hampshire's gas and hydropower plants combined, driven by Revolution Wind and Vineyard Wind coming online.
Vermont's first neighborhood geothermal project breaks ground in Hinesburg. The 36-unit affordable housing development will use underground heat pumps to warm and cool buildings year-round, testing an innovative model for decarbonizing housing.
Farmington, Maine welcomes first new affordable housing in 25 years. Avesta Housing just opened a 25-unit community campus featuring walking trails, natural woodlands, and easy access to downtown Farmington's services and amenities.
Economics & Opportunity
MIT startup builds $1.3B advanced manufacturing facility in Devens, creating 1,000 jobs. Metal parts manufacturer VulcanForms raised $220 million to construct its third Massachusetts factory, bringing high-tech production and skilled employment to the state.
$15M grant funds technology to strengthen New England's seafood industry. University of Rhode Island researchers are developing sensors and cameras giving fishers real-time data on ocean conditions, enabling them to adapt tactics as warming waters reshape the region's fishing economy.
NH’s Harrisville mill gets pub and restaurant with $1.4M in funding. Tax credits and grants from the NH CDFA will complete the final restoration of the historic 1844 Trip Hammer Shop. The project aims to be the latest example of New England mill revivals bringing businesses and residents back to towns.
Science & Technology
Massachusetts awards $9.8M to 37 climatetech companies advancing clean energy solutions. Funding through MassCEC will help startups and researchers commercialize innovations in battery technology, carbon capture, coastal resilience, sustainable materials, and grid optimization.
Geothermal startup Dig Energy completes first project with innovative drilling technology. The company used high-pressure water jets (instead of conventional drill bits) to create boreholes for a Boston office building, cutting water use by 90% and construction waste by 75% compared to traditional methods, all at substantially lower cost.
Dartmouth Health launches center to improve care for older adults with serious illness. An $11.8 million NIH grant will create the Center for Aging with Serious Illness, supporting early-career physicians conducting research across rural New England to develop better treatments and policies for aging patients.
Civics & Community
Maine Monitor receives $1M grant to expand local news across the state.1 The American Journalism Project awarded the nonprofit newsroom three years of funding to strengthen its operations and reach more rural communities, building on their coverage of underserved counties since 2025.
UConn creates research center to prevent sexual violence on campus. The new center will study sexual violence prevention and work with students and staff to develop solutions that can be put into practice at UConn and other colleges.
Portland Sea Dogs to improve disability access at their ballpark. The minor league team is upgrading signage, accessibility features, and amenities to welcome visitors with disabilities and diverse needs.
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.
Hungry for good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our very own Optimists Club newsletter.
Thanks for reading!
-Andy & Kaelli
Congrats to our friends at the Maine Monitor for this! They are one of our regular collaborators on Instagram.
All postcard images are sourced from the Tichnor Brothers Collection at the Boston Public Library, licensed under CCO 1.0.