Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter #11 - Language Door
Plus: coyote coexistence, space weather, watershed funding wins, biotech talent, van labs, climate-smart forestry, farmer grants, local journalist pensions, and more!
Hello! Welcome to the Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, part of Granite Goodness. We share stories of progress, problem-solving, and positivity in 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 in New Hampshire, make sure to check our podcast, Granite Goodness, available anywhere.
Enjoy!
GRANITE GREENERY - Sustainability & Environment
USDA awards $11.5 million to Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC)
The grant represents the largest funding award in the CRC’s history, with 100% of funds allocated toward restoration projects in New Hampshire’s section of the Connecticut River watershed. - Connecticut River Conservancy
UNH study finds coyotes may benefit from human activity
A University of New Hampshire-led study reveals that hunting practices may inadvertently increase local coyote populations by promoting younger, more reproductive groups. These findings offer insights for coyote management strategies that balance conservation and human-wildlife coexistence. - UNH Today
Sullivan County ready to join Community Power Program
Sullivan County is working to implement a county-wide community power plan, aiming to reduce electricity costs and expand renewable energy options for smaller towns that lack the capacity to establish their own programs. This effort builds on the success of other Upper Valley towns, allowing residents to opt into programs that have already demonstrated significant savings and energy benefits. - NHPR
NH Nature Conservancy wins $10 million for climate smart forestry
The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire has received $10 million from the NRCS to administer a Regional Conservation Partnership Program, aiming to enhance climate-resilient forest management in New Hampshire and Western Maine. The project will support landowners with financial assistance, training, and technical support to implement climate-smart forest practices, improving forest resilience and addressing climate impacts. - The Nature Conservancy
GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure
Portsmouth approves pro-housing zoning changes*
Portsmouth’s City Council approved a new zoning ordinance to encourage higher-density housing development along Commerce Way and Portsmouth Boulevard, aiming to address the city's housing shortage. The Gateway Neighborhood Overlay District (GNOD) will allow up to six-story multifamily buildings, with incentives for workforce housing and the potential for land transfers to support affordable housing initiatives. - New Hampshire Business Review
*Shoutout to Granite Goodness guest Deaglan McEachern, who is quoted in this article!
Invest NH program creating thousands of new affordable homes
Supported by the NH Housing Finance Authority, Invest NH aims to build 1,500 apartments, with over 60% of those qualifying as “affordable”. From 2022-2023, local and state construction increased 20% to a total value of $1.18 billion. - The Keene Sentinel
Conservation groups and housing organizations collaborate to address housing shortage
A unique partnership among a landowner, two conservation groups, and a housing organization has secured 800 acres on Cascade Hill in Berlin, New Hampshire, combining conservation efforts with plans to develop much-needed workforce housing. This innovative approach highlights the potential for collaboration to address both housing shortages and environmental stewardship. - New Hampshire Business Review
GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce
Outdoor recreation provides $3.9 billion economic boost to NH
A recent report from the US Department of Commerce shows that outdoor recreation contributes $3.9 billion to New Hampshire’s economy, accounting for 3.4% of its GDP and supporting nearly 32,000 jobs, making it a key driver of the state’s economic health and ranking it 9th nationally in this sector's GDP share. - Granite Outdoor Alliance
UNH receives $10 million boost for New Hampshire biotech employment
Funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, the award will support UNH’s Manchester campus in its goal of nurturing an innovative workforce for southern New Hampshire’s rapidly growing bio-fabrication sector. - UNH Manchester
Union Leader granted loan to keep pension plans afloat*
The New Hampshire Union Leader has been approved for a $1 million loan from the state's Business Finance Authority to help pay off long-standing pension debts that are burdening its finances. The loan will assist the newspaper in addressing its pension obligations without reducing employee benefits, but will require raising additional funds and restructuring executive payouts to ensure its long-term viability. - NHPR
*Shout out to Granite Goodness guest James Key-Wallace, who is quoted in this article!
GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation
UNH wins $24 million to build weather sensing technology in space
The University of New Hampshire received $24 million to develop sensors that monitor solar wind and provide early warnings of space weather dangers, such as geomagnetic storms that can disrupt power grids, satellites, and GPS systems. Partnering with NASA and NOAA, the sensors will be positioned near the sun and offer warnings within 10 to 100 minutes, depending on event speed. - UNH Today
UNH Manchester launches mobile laboratory for science education
The University of New Hampshire at Manchester has launched the STEM-MoBILE, a traveling lab designed to educate students across New Hampshire about biofabrication, combining biology, biotechnology, and engineering to produce cells, tissues, and organs. This initiative aims to inspire interest in STEM careers and build a skilled workforce for the growing biofabrication industry in Southern New Hampshire's "ReGen Valley." - UNH Manchester
Research suggests climate change could impact forests less than predicted
A study by the University of New Hampshire found that despite rising temperatures and increased nitrogen levels, carbon storage in New England forests remained stable due to enhanced plant root activity. The research highlights the importance of plant-soil interactions and suggests that forests may continue to act as effective carbon sinks. - UNH Today
GRANITE GLOBAL- Nonprofits & Public Sector
Researchers and communities collaborate to enhance trail networks
A new initiative in New Hampshire called DIRT (Developing Interconnections for Regional Trails) is helping local trail organizations collaborate, share resources, and enhance their capacity through workshops, webinars, and networking. The project, led by UNH faculty, staff, and community partners, focuses on addressing trail management challenges and creating opportunities for sustainable trail development and economic growth in the region. - UNH Cooperative Extension
NOFA NH offers grants to NH farmers affected by climate change
New Hampshire farmers can apply for grants from the Northeast Organic Farming Association to support resilience-building efforts against climate change, including purchasing supplies, soil tests, and insect prevention. The grants, which also offer disaster relief funding, are available to organic farmers or those transitioning to organic practices, with up to $3,000 per farm for multiple projects. - NHPR
GRANITE GREATNESS: Human Interest & Our Favorite Stories
Manchester groups rise to the challenge of meeting need for adult English language education
As demand for English classes surges in Manchester, programs like the International Institute of New England face staffing and funding challenges, leading to long waitlists for students eager to improve their language skills. A new coalition of ESOL (English as a Second Language) providers aims to address these challenges by sharing resources, prioritizing refugees, and launching a website to help students find available classes more efficiently. Courtney Perron, leader of the coalition, said “The value that a new American brings into this community specifically is so broad and so impactful… All we have to do is unlock that language door."- NHPR
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 and Linkedin.
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.
Thanks for reading!
-Andy
