Local timber + circuit riders + sports economies + rural health + safe mushrooms + better bridges
New England Good News #5
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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NOTE FROM ANDY
Hello everyone! WELCOME to the 116 new humans (and their dogs!) who have joined the Granite Goodness community so far in 2026. And big thank you to the 7 new members of our Optimists Club!
Excited to share our first regular newsletter of the year. There is LOTS of good news to share but first— our live show is coming up in three weeks! Come hang out with us and some of our other favorite local podcasts at 3S Artspace. Tickets here!
A bit of housekeeping— we’re trying something new this newsletter. Typically, these include 20-25 stories. In response to feedback from the community, we’re going to run fewer stories per issue (10-15), but publish more often. Also enjoy the new postcards we use for each section, courtesy of the Tichnor Brothers Collection : )
Partner Spotlight!
We’re excited to welcome Resilient Buildings Group (RBG) as our newest Community Partner.
RBG’s mission is simple: scale the number and quality of high performance, low energy, resilient buildings across New England.
Energy efficiency does not always get the spotlight. But it is often the most effective and highest ROI way to lower costs and reduce emissions. While massive solar projects and large infrastructure grab headlines, the quiet work of tightening building envelopes, reducing heat loss, and improving performance delivers real and lasting impact today instead of years into the future.
I personally know many of the (wonderful) people at RBG. Their ethos and approach align deeply with Granite Goodness, where we aim to highlight the people and organizations making meaningful progress on hard issues across New England.
THANK YOU to Resilient Buildings Group and to all of our partners for supporting us! Now enjoy some good news!
GRANITE GREENERY: Sustainability & Nature
New Hampshire’s clean energy idea goes national
A New Hampshire program that sends clean energy experts town to town just won $3 million in federal funding to expand nationwide, helping communities cut costs and emissions. The Energy Circuit Rider model has already saved local governments millions, and now its practical, community first approach is ready to roll across rural America. - Canary Media
Maine beefs up coastal resilience
Maine’s Office of Community Affairs launched a resilience and hazard‑mitigation program that offers grants of up to $50,000 for individual coastal communities and $75,000 for groups to plan long‑term protections against storm surge and sea‑level rise. - Maine Department of Marine Resources
Connecticut launches energy‑efficiency loan and grant fund
Connecticut announced a new $18 million program to help homeowners upgrade heating, cooling, and insulation. The fund will support single- and multifamily homes by removing barriers so more households can make clean, efficient upgrades that pay off fast. - State of Connecticut Governor’s Office
GRANITE GRIT: Building & Infrastructure
In 2025, Connecticut delivers an all time best for infrastructure wins
Last year, the state rebuilt major bridges, repaved 250+ miles of roadway, and pushed 200+ projects under construction while securing over $100 million in state and federal funding for rail, transit, safety, and electric vehicle charging. Award-winning bridge rebuilds, wrong-way driving detection, new train stations, trail improvements, and bus upgrades made statewide travel safer and more reliable. - Connecticut Department of Transportation
Massachusetts invests in closing the digital divide
Massachusetts is investing $4.5 million in digital equity projects across 61 communities, expanding internet access, devices, and digital skills statewide. The funding is helping thousands of residents get connected and pushing the state closer to its goal of internet access for all. - Telecompetitor
Vermont’s small towns get a generational opportunity at building new homes
A new statewide program will invest up to $2 billion through 2035 to help Vermont towns pay for roads, sewers, and other basics needed to unlock new housing. By letting future tax revenue fund today’s infrastructure, the plan opens the door for thousands of new homes, stronger downtowns, and a more affordable future across rural Vermont. - Realtor.com
GRANITE GROWTH: Economics & Opportunity
USDA invests in New England forest health and timber markets
The New England Forestry Foundation just secured a $32 million USDA award to improve forest management across 50,000 acres and strengthen local wood markets across New England. - New England Forestry Foundation
New grants boost main street and local economies across NH
New Hampshire communities are receiving over $9 million in new federal grants to expand child care, upgrade infrastructure, preserve historic places, and strengthen rural economies across six counties. The funding will add child care slots, modernize water and public facilities, support small businesses, and create new jobs. - My Keene Now
Rhode Island’s winter economy buoyed by sports
Sporting events are set to bring $15.5 million in direct spending to Rhode Island in early 2026, with 17 winter tournaments drawing nearly 78,000 visitors and filling more than 18,000 hotel room nights statewide. The growth flips winter from a traditionally slow season into a powerful engine for tourism, jobs, and local economic activity. - What’s Up Newport
GRANITE GADGETS: Science & Technology
MIT cracks a key battery puzzle, opening the door to faster charging
Researchers at MIT developed a new model explaining how lithium ions and electrons move together inside batteries, a breakthrough that could significantly speed up charging and extend battery life. The team tested more than 50 battery material combinations, laying the groundwork for electric vehicles and devices that charge faster, last longer, and waste less energy. - MIT
Colby lands $150 million gift to supercharge science in Maine
Colby College received a $150 million gift, the largest in its history, to build a new science complex and launch applied science, engineering, and public health programs. The investment is expected to catalyze up to $500 million in total impact, strengthen Maine’s science ecosystem, support K–12 STEM education, and help rural communities compete for next generation jobs. - Colby College
Dartmouth study points to safer psilocybin based treatments
Researchers at Dartmouth identified a neural receptor that delivers psilocybin’s antidepressant and anti anxiety benefits without hallucinations. The discovery could lead to safer, more affordable treatments for depression and anxiety. - Dartmouth
GRANITE GOODS: Institutions & Community
New England states awarded over $500 million to advance rural healthcare
New England is seeing a historic infusion of federal support to strengthen health care in its rural communities, with New Hampshire projected to receive about $204 million, Vermont around $195 million, Maine roughly $190 million, Massachusetts about $162 million, Connecticut around $154 million, and Rhode Island about $156 million in the programs’ first year alone.
The funds are all part of a nationwide $50 billion effort to expand access, modernize facilities, and build up the rural health workforce. This unprecedented investment will help bring better preventive care, new health care workers, upgraded technology, and stronger local systems to towns and villages across the region, making high-quality care more reachable for rural Americans. - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Electric‑bill relief expands for low‑income Mainers
Maine’s Low‑Income Assistance Program will receive $33 million (50% increase) and expand eligibility to households earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty line. The revamped program introduces predictable monthly discounts instead of lump‑sum credits, automatically enrolls eligible ratepayers, and aims to make it easier for struggling households to manage energy costs. - Maine Morning Star
RI Girls coalition receives major philanthropic boost
The Rhode Island Foundation awarded a $750,000 three‑year Catalyst Grant to five nonprofits led by the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England to launch the state’s first Girls Coalition. The coalition will coordinate programs, share data and advocate for the well‑being of girls and gender‑expansive youth, building on findings from the RI Girls Report. - What’s Up Newport
That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter! If you’d like to support Granite Goodness, consider joining our Optimists Club.
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All postard images are sourced from the Tichnor Brothers Collection at the Boston Public Library, licensed under CCO 1.0.
Hungry for other stories of progress, innovation, and good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our friends at Fix The News, The Progress Network, or our very own Optimists Club newsletter.
If you are interested in sponsoring this newsletter or partnering with us, please reach out at hello@granitegoodness.com. Thanks for reading!
-Andy