Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter #16 - Tell You the Story

Plus: clean energy competition, 1000+ housing units, medical debt relief, community power expansion, economic health, DNA analysis, accessible therapy, ocean mapping, and more!

Apr 23, 2025

Hello! Welcome to the Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, part of Granite Goodness. We share stories of problem solving, innovation, and progress 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

“Greetings from White Mountains New Hampshire,” Tichnor Brothers Collection, Boston Public Library. Licensed under CCO 1.0

Community Power now reaches nearly half of New Hampshire residents

As of 2025, nearly half of New Hampshire’s population has access to Community Power programs, giving towns and cities more control over their electricity sources and pricing. Since the 2019 law enabled local energy aggregation, 46 communities—including Concord—have joined the initiative, helping residents access affordable and renewable energy options while shaping the future of the state's energy landscape. – Concord Monitor

Seacoast towns team up for clean energy in regional challenge

Dover, Durham, Exeter, Newmarket, and Portsmouth joined forces for the Seacoast Energy Challenge, a six-month initiative to boost participation in renewable energy through local Community Power programs. The effort led to over 100 new opt-ups to cleaner electricity, saving an estimated 80 tons of CO₂ and showing the power of community-driven climate action. – Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire

NH awards $3.3M in LCHIP grants to protect land, water, and historic sites

The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) has awarded $3.3 million in matching grants to 26 projects across New Hampshire, supporting the conservation of over 3,300 acres and the rehabilitation of 14 historic buildings. Notable awards include expansions to the Morse Preserve in Alton and the protection of Campton Bog—critical steps for preserving wildlife habitat, water resources, and climate resilience. – Society for the Protection of NH Forests

GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure

“Aerial view of state and city buildings, Concord, NH,” Griffin-Globe. Licensed under PDM 1.0

Poll shows overwhelming support for pro-housing reforms in NH

A new statewide poll finds that large majorities of Granite Staters support key zoning reforms to address New Hampshire’s housing crisis, including legalizing detached ADUs, smaller lot sizes, and residential development in commercial zones. With over half of respondents naming housing as the state’s top issue, the results come as the Legislature considers a suite of bipartisan housing bills—and as debate grows over how far the state should go in shaping local land use policy. — New Hampshire Bulletin

Dismas Home expands to Rochester with new recovery center

Dismas Home of New Hampshire is opening a 13-bed transitional recovery home for women in Rochester, following opposition to a similar project in Manchester. The facility will provide extended care for women completing addiction recovery and reentry programs. Located in a former pediatric clinic, the center aligns with Rochester’s development goals and marks a hopeful step in expanding support for justice-involved women. – Manchester Ink Link

Portsmouth has 1,000+ housing units “in the pipeline”
Portsmouth city planner Peter Britz says 1,000 to 1,500 new housing units are in development, potentially pushing the city’s population toward 25,000 for the first time since the early 1990s. - Portsmouth Herald

GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce

Congress Street, Portsmouth, N.H. — “Congress Street,” Tichnor Brothers Collection, Boston Public Library. Licensed under CCO 1.0

New Hampshire Economy Outpaces Neighbors, Housing Remains Hot

New Hampshire is projected to grow faster than Maine and Vermont in 2025, with job gains concentrated in healthcare, business services, and tourism. The state’s unemployment rate—already among the lowest in the region—is expected to stay strong at 3.0%. Housing remains a bright spot, with home prices forecast to rise 5.7%, well above the national average, thanks to tight supply and steady demand. – TD Economics Forecast

NH consumer spending grew 8.9% in 2023, outpacing national average

New Hampshire saw an 8.9% increase in consumer spending in 2023—higher than the national rate of 7.5%. While health care is the top expense nationally, housing led in New Hampshire, making up 18% of all consumer spending. — NH Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau

Claremont hospital launches NH’s first LNA apprenticeship for high school students

Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, in partnership with River Valley Community College and ApprenticeshipNH, launched New Hampshire’s first Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) registered apprenticeship for high school students. The 8-week program combined classroom, lab, and clinical experience—leading to a 100% licensing exam pass rate and opening new healthcare career pathways for local youth. — Business NH Magazine

GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation

“Saint Anselms College, ” Tichnor Brothers Collection, Boston Public Library. Licensed under PDM 1.0

UNH’s CoCo Lab Turns Pandemic Tools into Scientific Powerhouse

Born from UNH’s COVID-19 testing infrastructure, the Collaborative Core Wet Lab (CoCo Lab) is now powering breakthroughs in wildlife health, water quality, invasive species detection, and pandemic preparedness. By applying high-throughput DNA analysis to everything from moose scat to estuary water samples, researchers are tracking disease, protecting ecosystems, and strengthening New Hampshire’s ability to respond to future public health threats. — University of New Hampshire

UNH scientists pioneer ocean mapping technology and application

UNH researchers helped the U.S. claim 1 million square kilometers of new seabed territory in 2023, a major step toward unlocking the ocean’s vast potential for science, safety, and sustainability. With most of the seafloor still unmapped, their work is driving progress on global efforts to chart the ocean, inform climate models, guide infrastructure planning, and protect fragile ecosystems. — University of New Hampshire

Dartmouth trial finds AI therapy chatbot significantly improves mental health symptoms

In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, Dartmouth researchers found that an AI-powered therapy chatbot called Therabot led to significant reductions in symptoms of depression (51%), anxiety (31%), and body image concerns (19%) in participants diagnosed with mental health disorders. Users reported trust and engagement levels comparable to in-person care, suggesting generative AI could offer meaningful support for those lacking access to traditional therapy. — Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine

GRANITE GRATITUDE - Nonprofits & Public Sector

“High School of Practical Arts Building, Manchester, NH,” Tichnor Brothers Collection, Boston Public Library. Licensed under CCO 1.0

NH ranks 10th in nation for adult mental health outcomes

New Hampshire ranks 10th in Mental Health America’s 2024 national report, indicating a relatively low prevalence of adult mental illness and strong access to care. The ranking reflects positive outcomes across measures like insurance coverage, treatment access, and lower rates of serious psychological distress compared to most states. — Mental Health America

$72M in medical debt to be wiped out for NH residents

Thousands of Granite Staters are getting a fresh start as $72 million in medical debt is set to be erased, thanks to a major debt relief initiative by the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. The organization recently purchased and retired over $30 billion in medical debt nationwide, and New Hampshire residents are among the beneficiaries. The relief will focus on individuals earning under 400% of the federal poverty level, lifting a major financial burden for many. - NHPR

NH improving mental health wait times

A federal judge says New Hampshire is making strong progress in ending ER boarding for psychiatric patients. Thanks to new beds and community investments through its “Mission Zero” initiative, the state has significantly reduced waitlists—often down to single digits. While some timelines may need adjusting, the judge called the state’s efforts “very, very pleasing,” signaling real momentum toward faster, more humane mental health care. – NHPR

GRANITE GREATNESS: Human Interest & Our Favorite Stories

"Soldier's Monument, Central Square, Keene NH," Howe, F.E. Licensed under PDM 1.0

Fritz Wetherbee to retire after nearly 25 years on "NH Chronicle"

Fritz Wetherbee, 88, is retiring from New Hampshire Chronicle after telling Granite State stories for nearly a quarter-century. Known for his unique voice and unmatched tie collection, Fritz has shared more than 5,000 stories since 2001, opening nearly every one with his iconic line “I’ll tell you the story.” The Emmy winner and proud New Hampshire native says he’s looking forward to writing his memoir and enjoying life with his wife, Laura. “In some way, this is the best time of my life,” he said. – WMUR

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:

Community Power Coalition of NH

David Brooks at The Concord Monitor

Society for the Protection of NH Forests

Scott Merrill at Business NH Magazine

NH Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau

Mental Health America

Beth Potier at The University of New Hampshire

Ethan Dewitt at The New Hampshire Bulletin

Morgan Kelly at Darmouth College

Jeff McMenemy at The Portsmouth Herald

Maureen Milliken at Manchester InkLink