Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter #14 - Canopy Enhancement
Plus: energy-efficient housing, bobo conservation, energy rebates, zoning reforms, healthy kids, tech villages, export growth, harm reduction vans, indigenous science, and more!
Hello! Welcome to the Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, part of Granite Goodness. We share stories of progress, solutions and positivity in and around New Hampshire.
My name is Andy DeMeo. I’ve lived in New Hampshire all my life.
At Granite Goodness we believe that being aware of progress and positivity leaves people more inspired to create their own. Optimism, kindness, and the will to solve complex problems are infectious qualities.
Also, being an optimist is just more fun.
As a general rule, this newsletter aims to include stories that fit the following criteria:
The story is in or about New Hampshire
The story is about something bigger than singular acts of kindness
The story is about something good— people building, creating, or doing things that improve the world and reduce suffering
Just think- as long as it’s good and New Hampshire sized, it belongs here! If you have any story tips, let us know at hello@granitegoodness.com.
For more personal stories about progress and problem solving in New Hampshire, make sure to check our podcast, Granite Goodness, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, and everywhere else.
Enjoy!
GRANITE GREENERY - Sustainability & Environment
New Hampshire set to launch loan program for energy-efficient housing development
A recently signed bipartisan bill will establish a long-awaited financing program to support energy-efficient housing development in New Hampshire. The legislation revives the Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) loan program, enabling developers to fund clean energy upgrades—like heat pumps and solar panels—through private loans repaid via property tax bills. - Canary Media
Funding opens up for NH farmers to protect bobolink habitats
New Hampshire farmers can now receive funding through the Bobolink Project in exchange for delaying hay cutting, helping to protect critical breeding habitats for grassland birds. By agreeing to specific haying schedules, farmers create safe nesting grounds for bobolinks, whose populations have declined by over 60% in the past 50 years. The program not only supports bird conservation but also provides farmers with a stable, diversified source of income while maintaining ecologically valuable landscapes. - NHPR
Peterborough and Harrisville launch rebate program for home energy upgrades
Peterborough and Harrisville have launched a campaign to enroll residents in HeatSmart+, a rebate program offering $3,300 for energy efficiency upgrades like weatherization, electric heat pumps, and panel upgrades. With around 20 households already approved, the program aims to help 80 homes transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. - NHPR
GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure
Construction begins on Village on Technology Hill in Londonderry
North Branch Construction has broken ground on The Village on Technology Hill, a mixed-use development in Londonderry that will combine industrial, residential, and retail spaces to support economic growth and community living. With 440 new apartments, a childcare center, and major business hubs, the project will create jobs, attract businesses, and provide much-needed housing in Southern New Hampshire. Designed with sustainability in mind, it will strengthen the local economy and offer a vibrant, connected lifestyle for residents and employees alike. - Manchester Ink Link
NH communities lead the way in housing solutions
New Hampshire Housing’s new report highlights how eleven communities are tackling housing challenges through zoning reforms, community-driven planning, and innovative solutions. With support from the InvestNH initiative, towns like Keene, Bethlehem, and Canterbury have implemented creative strategies such as cottage court districts, cluster developments, and density-friendly zoning changes. - NH PBS
Keene unanimously adopts pro-housing zoning reform
Keene City Council’s unanimous vote to adopt two new ordinances is a major step toward easing the housing crunch, making it easier for residents and developers to add much-needed homes. By reducing parking requirements and eliminating extra land requirements for additional units in key districts, the city is removing barriers to development and encouraging more efficient land use. These changes position Keene as a proactive community working to create a more accessible and affordable housing market for the future. - NH Business Review
GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce
NH Small Business Development Center launches 2025 Global Growth program to support businesses
The NH Export Accelerator is now accepting participants for its 2025 Global Growth Series, a program designed to help New Hampshire businesses develop and refine their exporting strategies. Open to all NH companies looking to export U.S.-made goods or services, the program offers tailored support to navigate international markets and optimize export success. - NH Small Business Development Center
NH ranked as one of healthiest states for women and children in new report
The United Health Foundation has released the America's Health Rankings® 2024 Health of Women and Children Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of 123 health measures from 33 data sources to assess the well-being of women and children across the United States. Notably, New Hampshire ranks as one of the healthiest states for women (#6) and children (#1), followed by Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Vermont. - Business NH Magazine
2nd mental health center in NH achieves competitive certification
The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester (MHCGM) is leading New Hampshire’s transition to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, integrating mental health, physical health, and substance misuse services to improve access and outcomes. This new approach not only enhances patient care but also benefits New Hampshire’s economy by reducing emergency healthcare costs, increasing workforce productivity, and expanding job opportunities in the behavioral health sector. - Manchester Ink Link
GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation
Dartmouth study highlights need for indigenous data governance in environmental research
A new Dartmouth College study examines how environmental research can better integrate Indigenous data governance, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge, ecosystems, and cultural practices are properly recognized and protected. Lead author Lydia Jennings, a citizen of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, emphasizes the importance of ethical data stewardship, collaboration with Indigenous communities, and proper attribution in scientific research. By incorporating Indigenous expertise, the study argues, environmental science can become more accurate, inclusive, and responsive to ongoing ecological challenges. - NHPR
Study by Dartmouth researchers shows emotional support makes childbirth less stressful
A Dartmouth study confirms that having loved ones present during childbirth helps reduce stress and leads to better outcomes for parents and babies. Researchers found that those missing a support person felt significantly more stressed, similar to those undergoing a C-section. The study highlights the importance of ensuring emotional support during labor for a safer, more positive birth experience. - Dartmouth College
UNH researchers explore antifreeze proteins for breakthroughs in medicine and biotechnology
A team of researchers at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is studying how antifreeze proteins (AFPs), found in organisms that survive extreme cold, could revolutionize cryopreservation in medicine and biotechnology. Led by Associate Professor Krisztina Varga, the team is exploring AFPs as a safer alternative to traditional freezing agents, with potential applications in organ preservation, stem cell storage, and food technology. - UNH Today
GRANITE GRATITUDE - Nonprofits & Public Sector
NHHRC launches second overdose prevention van to expand life-saving efforts
The New Hampshire Harm Reduction Coalition (NHHRC) has launched its second Overdose Prevention Van, expanding its reach to high-need areas and strengthening the state’s response to opioid overdoses. With essential supplies like Naloxone and drug-checking strips, the van will provide life-saving resources at no cost, complementing NHHRC’s harm reduction programs that have already reported 964 overdose reversals in 2024. - Manchester Ink Link
Liberty House receives $20,000 grant to support veterans’ independence
Liberty House has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Service Credit Union Impact Foundation and the Robert Irvine Foundation to further its mission of helping New Hampshire veterans rebuild their lives. The funding will support Liberty House’s transitional housing program, which provides veterans facing homelessness, PTSD, and other challenges with recovery resources, employment connections, and pathways to independent living. With a 13% increase in veterans served last year, this grant will help expand essential services and continue offering hope and stability to those who have served. - Manchester Ink Link
Food access and education program expands after support from NH Charitable Foundation
At the Cornucopia Project Educational Garden, young farmers like 12-year-old Gabby Sanders are discovering the joy of growing and eating fresh, organic food—sometimes even surprising themselves with new favorites, like homemade salsa. Through hands-on farming, cooking, and community engagement, students learn about plant biology, sustainable agriculture, and the importance of local food systems while supplying produce to schools, food pantries, and restaurants. With programs in 32 schools and growing (thanks to the NH Charitable Foundation), the Cornucopia Project continues to foster deep connections between children, their food, and their communities, creating a new generation of engaged and knowledgeable food stewards. - NH Charitable Foundation
GRANITE GREATNESS: Human Interest & Our Favorite Stories
NH schoolyard tree planting program expands after successful first year
Following the successful planting of 43 trees at 18 schools last year, the Schoolyard Canopy Enhancement Program is gearing up for another round of tree plantings in 2024. Funded by the U.S. Forest Service and run in partnership with UNH Cooperative Extension, the program continues to provide schools with free trees while inspiring students to connect with nature. With applications open until March 7, more schools will have the opportunity to enhance their landscapes, engage in hands-on learning, and create lasting green spaces for future generations. - NH Bulletin
That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New Hampshire 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 the Granite State, I encourage you to check out our friends at Fix the News or The Progress Network.
Thank you to:
Sophia Keshmiri at The Keene Sentinel
Amanda Andrews at NH Business Review
NH PBS
Manchester Ink Link
Julia Furukawa at NH Public Radio
Mara Hoplamazian at NH Public Radio
Matt Mowry at Business NH Magazine
Claire Sullivan at NH Bulletin
Sarah Shemkus at
Jim Graham at the NH Charitable Foundation
Amy Olson at Dartmouth College
Nicholas Gosling at the Community Power Coalition of NH (formerly at UNH)
For publishing great journalism or information about your work.
Thanks for reading!
-Andy
