Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter #18 - Full Bucket
Plus: macaroni for veterans, trash to energy, urban syrup, tiny home loans, language preservation, watershed projects, housing grants, trout donations, and more!
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
Mount Carberry Landfill to produce energy from trash
Northern Biogas will begin construction this August on a $35 million natural gas facility at the Mount Carberry landfill in Success, NH. The plant will convert landfill methane into pipeline-grade gas, generating $4.2M–$5.8M in annual revenue for the Androscoggin Valley Regional Refuse District. The facility will process 2,500 cubic feet of gas per minute, occupy 3 acres, and connect to a Berlin metering station via a private pipeline. Construction will take about a year and create dozens of jobs. – Berlin Sun via Business NH Magazine
New program helps communities turn climate ideas into action
The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership has launched the Project Builder Program to help Great Bay Watershed communities transform their climate resilience ideas—especially around heat and flooding—into strong, fundable proposals. This free incubator offers mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and guidance to navigate grant-writing and proposal development. Applications are open now and due by July 1, 2025. Project Builder is the first of two 2025 initiatives supported by Great Bay 2030, with Climate Impact Grants launching this fall. – Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership
160 acre Horsepilot Farm permanently conserved
Chris and Jill Rider’s Horsepilot Farm, spanning three towns and key water supply lands, is now permanently protected through a conservation easement with SELT. Funding came from Exeter, East Kingston, Kensington, state water protection grants, and a bargain sale by the Riders. The land includes prime farmland soils and safeguards Great Brook and the Exeter River. – Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire
GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure
Federal block grants fuel housing, health, and child care projects across NH
Seven projects across New Hampshire will receive a combined $3.2 million in Community Development Block Grants, supporting housing, addiction recovery, and child care services. The Roosevelt School redevelopment in Keene will add 30 affordable housing units. In Lebanon, a new inpatient center for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder will be built at Dartmouth Hitchcock. In Belmont, the historic Gale School will be converted into an early childhood center with 35 child care slots and a new playground. – NH Business Review
New loan options help NH homeowners build ADUs without refinancing low-rate mortgages
Three New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp banks are now offering fixed-rate, second-position loans to help homeowners finance accessory dwelling units (ADUs) without losing their low-interest primary mortgages. These loans aim to make ADU construction more accessible as the state looks to expand housing options. ADUs typically cost $100K–$300K, and interest in second-position loans is growing as more towns and banks embrace them. – The Registry Review
Portsmouth project to add 240 workforce housing units
Service Credit Union plans to build a mixed-use development in Portsmouth with approximately 240 housing units, primarily offered at workforce rental rates. The project aims to expand affordable housing options for local employees and workers. – Portsmouth Herald
GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce
New Hampshire ranks #1 in public safety and economic opportunity
U.S. News & World Report has once again ranked New Hampshire among the best states to live, placing it first in both public safety and economic opportunity, and second overall. Gov. Kelly Ayotte credited the state’s success to law enforcement, business leaders, and New Hampshire’s independent spirit. The Granite State also received high marks for low pollution, internet access, and economic equality. – NH Journal
Manchester featured in 2025 best places to live ranking
Manchester, NH earned a spot on Livability.com’s 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live list, recognized for its mix of affordability, amenities, and strong economic opportunity. The list highlights cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 and median home values under $500,000. Livability’s data-driven approach evaluates housing, healthcare, education, environment, and more. - Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Report reveals that NH higher education fuels $7.6B in statewide growth
New Hampshire’s public and private nonprofit colleges and universities contributed $7.6 billion to the state economy in 2023, supporting more than 50,000 jobs, according to a new report from the New Hampshire College & University Council. The report highlights higher ed’s role in workforce development, research, and community enrichment, reinforcing its value as a cornerstone of the Granite State’s long-term prosperity. – New Hampshire College & University Council
GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation
Dartmouth and IISc launch global academic partnership
Dartmouth and the Indian Institute of Science have formalized a new partnership to foster international research and education, bringing together top faculty and students across disciplines from both institutions. Through Global Dartmouth, this collaboration aims to spark innovation in fields like energy, engineering, medicine, and more—while deepening academic exchange between the U.S. and India. – Dartmouth News
Dartmouth and UNH use AI to preserve endangered languages
Researchers at Dartmouth and UNH are using AI to help revitalize endangered languages. Dartmouth’s Rolando Coto Solano is building speech recognition tools for Indigenous languages like Bribri and Cook Islands Māori, enabling faster transcription and language learning. At UNH, grad student Ivory Yang developed NüshuRescue, an AI model that helps preserve Nüshu, a rare script once used by Chinese women. Both efforts highlight how New Hampshire institutions are combining tech and culture to protect global linguistic heritage. – Dartmouth News
Dartmouth PhD student explores safe urban sugaring through soil and sap research
Emily Sigman, a PhD student in Dartmouth’s Ecology, Evolution, Environment and Society (EEES) program, is leading a study on the safety of maple syrup produced in urban and contaminated environments. Her work examines whether sap collected from trees growing in contaminated soil—including sites near former factories, Superfund locations, and city parks—contains harmful substances like lead or PFAS. Her goal is to develop low-cost filtering and testing protocols for community-based sugaring efforts, particularly in lower-income areas. - Dartmouth News
GRANITE GRATITUDE - Nonprofits & Public Sector
UNH-grown trout helps feed thousands through Gather partnership
The University of New Hampshire has donated nearly 60 pounds of smoked steelhead trout to Gather, a Seacoast food pantry serving over 10,000 residents monthly. Raised in UNH’s AquaFort—a self-contained aquaculture system cultivating fish, mussels, and kelp—the locally grown trout is both high-quality and sustainable. Gather distributes the fish through its pantry and mobile markets and incorporates it into prepared meals, supporting unhoused individuals and seniors. “This partnership is truly helping us nourish our community,” said Gather’s culinary director. – UNH Today
Mr. Mac’s campaign supports veteran homelessness efforts
Manchester’s Mr. Mac’s Macaroni and Cheese launched its May “Mac Gives Back” campaign, pledging $1 from every Classic All-American Mac sold to Harbor Care, a nonprofit helping end veteran homelessness in New Hampshire. With around 150 homeless veterans statewide, the initiative highlights community-based solutions and growing momentum to connect more veterans with permanent housing. – Manchester Inklink
Manchester donates vehicle to expand addiction recovery outreach
The Manchester Fire Department has donated a retired SUV to HOPE for NH Recovery to help transport individuals seeking addiction treatment. Dubbed the “HOPE Car,” the vehicle will enhance outreach capacity as overdose rates in Manchester continue to decline. Mayor Jay Ruais and Fire Chief Ryan Cashin praised the city’s collaborative efforts with HOPE and other frontline organizations as key to saving lives and improving recovery outcomes. – Manchester Inklink
GRANITE GREATNESS: Human Interest & Our Favorite Stories
UNH students head abroad to advance global sustainability projects
Five UNH student teams are heading to Senegal, Kenya, Cambodia, and Uganda this summer through the International Changemaker Grant program. One team will partner with the Full Bucket Foundation to install solar panels and drip irrigation at a Senegalese boarding school, boosting energy access and food security. Other teams will support accessible education in Kenya, map deforestation in Cambodia, and develop recycled plastic products in Uganda—all in collaboration with local NGOs and social enterprises. – UNH Today
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:
Lindsey Williams, NH Sea Grant
Annie Cox, PREP Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership
Abigail Lyon, Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership
Lisa Wise, NH Sea Grant & UNH Extension
David Johnson, Southeast Land Trust of NH
Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Sun
Business NH Magazine
Portsmouth Herald
Trisha Nail, NH Business Review
Jay Fitzgerald, The Registry Review
Evan Lips, NH Journal
Lauren Getts, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Mica Stark, NH College & University Council
Robbin Ray, UNH
Scott Ripley, UNH
Cate Homicki, Dartmouth College
Harini Barath, Dartmouth College
Nicola Smith, Dartmouth College
Andrew Sylvia, Manchester Inklink
For publishing great journalism or sharing information about your work.
Thank you for reading!
-Andy
I really enjoy reading this newsletter full of positivity and good news. Our world needs more positive news about all the good things going on. Thank you for being a beacon of goodness, keep up the great work!
This is a wonderful group of stories - thank you for taking the time to compile and report out!!!!
First newsletter that I actually look forward to reading!!! Keep um coming!