New Hampshire Good News #20 - Greenway
Plus: cleaner air, stronger farms, smarter research, better infrastructure, thriving schools, safer workplaces, and a freer, less corrupt New Hampshire.
Welcome to the Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, part of Granite Goodness. We share optimistic stories of progress, innovation, and problem solving from across New England— proudly hosted in the Granite State.
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NOTE FROM ANDY
Here’s another fresh batch of good news, curated for New Hampshire!
For any subscribers who missed this week’s New England newsletter, here are some updates:
Going forward, I plan to publish a New England newsletter every week, and then an additional newsletter focused on one state in New England on a rotating basis. Today we’ll do NH (as is tradition) and then next week we’ll begin with Maine! There will be slight overlap with the stories featured in the New England newsletter, but each newsletter has 15-20 stories, so the state level ones will have many unique stories not featured in the regional one.
I may do state level newsletters more frequently— this is an experiment to engage the New England audience outside NH. There are 723 of you now, would love to know what kinds of content resonate with you most!
You can opt in or out of which emails you’d like from us. If you’d only like to recieve the one covering NH, you can adjust that preference anytime here.
Last week I made new some new friends— AJ Kierstad and Jan Ziegler, check out their podcasts New England Take & It’s Freitag if you want to hear me chat about Granite Goodness with them. Tuesday I released my chat with NH Governor Kelly Ayotte.
Also STAY TUNED for an announcement of the first Granite Goodness live show.
IN THIS EDITION
New Hampshire invests in clean air and climate-smart farming, expands internet and bridges, and restores forests and trails. Research and education thrive with record NSF awards, cutting-edge robotics, and community colleges ranked top in the nation. Safer workplaces, outdoor recreation, and innovative housing policies strengthen the economy, while the state earns recognition as both the freest and least corrupt in America.
SPONSOR
A big thank you to my friend Jesse Lore and the team at Green Wave Electric Vehicles for sponsoring this newsletter.
I can’t speak more highly about Jesse. We first met when he emceed an event for NH Businesses for Social Responsibility— he was rapping in front of a room of 100 people. I thought to myself “who is this modern bard, with a love of electrification and hip hop?”
I think EV’s have all kinds of merits year round, but not everyone knows that the $4,000 used EV tax credit is ending this September. If you’re thinking of buying an electric vehicle sometime in the future, a good opportunity to do so is right now! Jesse is an incredible resource for anyone, who brings his values and personality to every part of his business at Green Wave. Plus, they plant 100 trees for every EV purchased. As Jesse puts it best:
“Save the planet with a really cool car at Green Wave.”
Learn more about Jesse and Green Wave on episode #40 of Granite Goodness.
And now please enjoy your regular dose of Granite Goodness : )
-Andy
GRANITE GREENERY - Environment & Sustainability
State commits $315,000 to clean‑diesel upgrades
About $315,000 in funding is available for municipalities and other public entities to upgrade diesel engines and non‑road equipment, reducing air pollution and improving public health. - NH Dept. of Environmental Services
Grants help 44 NH farms boost climate resilience
The 2025 NH Conservation Districts Climate Resilience Grant program awarded more than $1 million to 44 farms, representing every county in the state. Funding will support energy efficiency, drought‑ready irrigation, soil‑health practices and riparian restoration, helping farms adapt to climate change and improving viability statewide. – Morning Ag Clips
Research innovations boost NH agriculture and forests
The NH Agricultural Experiment Station’s CREATE program is funding projects like sensors to spot soil pests early, genetic studies to guide wildlife conservation, new ways to track harmful cyanobacteria, and research on heat and noise impacts in mussel farming. The goal is to protect crops, wildlife, and water while supporting sustainable industries. – UNH Today
Project underway to restore American chestnuts to New Hampshire forests
As part of the American Chestnut Restoration Project, the Grantham Conservation Commission planted 23 American chestnut saplings on local conservation land. The goal is to double the number of trees, providing future food sources for wildlife and reintroducing a species once common in New Hampshire. – WCAX
GRANITE GRIT - Building & Infrastructure
Fidium fiber expands high‑speed internet to thousands in the Upper Valley
More than 26,000 homes and businesses in Croydon, Grantham, Lebanon, Newport and Hartford are getting fiber‑optic internet, with 6,000 more slated to be connected before year’s end. A state grant and private investment are funding the rollout, which local officials say will improve quality of life by replacing slower DSL or cable connections. – NHPR
Bow and Jaffrey modernize bridge infrastructure
Bow and Jaffrey are upgrading critical crossings to keep their communities connected. Bow is replacing the Page Road bridge with a new concrete arch, and Jaffrey is building a modern bridge over Tyler Brook to replace culverts lost in the 2021 floods. Both projects are state- and FEMA-funded and will improve safety, resilience, and stream health for years to come. – Town of Bow, Jaffrey
Seabrook takes key step to complete New Hampshire’s East Coast Greenway trail
After years of delays, Seabrook selectmen have voted to pursue a management agreement with the state, moving closer to building a long-awaited rail trail that would connect Portsmouth to Seabrook as part of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway. The step, funded by the NH Department of Transportation, brings the region nearer to completing one of the last missing links in the cross-country walking and biking route. - NHPR
GRANITE GROWTH - Economy & Workforce
Forestry credential program strengthens workforce
The Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters launched a free credentialing program with seven modules and field work to train high‑schoolers and adults, supporting the $1.6 billion forestry industry that employs over 12,800 people. - NH Business Review
Safer workplaces save state and businesses money for 14th year in a row
New Hampshire approved a 6.1% cut to workers’ compensation rates for 2026, the 14th straight annual decrease. The change saves businesses money, protects workers, and highlights long-term progress in safety, healthcare, and the state’s economy. - NH Insurance Dept
Outdoor recreation contributes billions to NH economy
Recent UNH research shows that that outdoor recreation contributes 3.4 % of New Hampshire’s GDP and supports roughly 31,000 jobs. - UNH Today
Housing conversion law spurs economic development
Legislation enabling unused commercial properties to be converted into housing and requiring timely permitting is expected to stimulate construction, create jobs and increase available homes. - Office of Gov. Kelly Ayotte
GRANITE GADGETS - Science & Innovation
Record six UNH faculty earn prestigious NSF CAREER awards to advance research and innovation
Six early-career UNH professors have won the National Science Foundation’s highly competitive CAREER awards, the most in the university’s history. Their projects span climate-ready infrastructure, AI decision-making, reliable cloud software, fall-prevention technology, advanced hydrogels for healing, and ecological monitoring. - UNH Today
Dartmouth’s modular robots show real-world potential for disaster relief
Dartmouth researchers have tested modular cube-shaped robots outdoors for the first time, where they crawled through tight spaces, bridged gaps, and even formed makeshift shelters. Lightweight and reconfigurable, the robots can be air-dropped and quickly assembled, offering promising new tools for disaster relief and emergency response. - Dartmouth
UNH helps lead national push to unlock success for Ph.D. students
UNH is joining a national project to make graduate school easier to navigate and more supportive, especially for first-generation Ph.D. students. The effort will provide clearer guidance on proposals, publishing, and conferences while surveying students and faculty across 14 STEM programs. - UNH Today
UNH study aims to keep rural youth in NH
UNH professor Cindy Hartman won a $250,000 NSF grant to explore why rural youth stay or leave New Hampshire. Working with teens in three communities, her team will map the messages they hear about success and help towns create opportunities that make staying and thriving in NH a real choice. - UNH Today
GRANITE GRATITUDE - Nonprofits & Public Sector
New Hampshire ranked America’s least corrupt state
A new Cato Institute analysis finds New Hampshire has the lowest corruption conviction rate in the nation at 0.07 per 10,000 government employees, far below the U.S. average. Known as the nation’s freest state, New Hampshire’s decentralized political system disperses power widely, leaving little room for corruption and fostering a culture of accountability and integrity. - Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy
NH community colleges ranked best in New England, top 10 in nationally
New Hampshire’s Community College System has been ranked the best in New England and among the top 10 nationwide by Wallethub. Serving more than 21,000 students each year, the system was recognized for affordability, innovation, and strong employer partnerships that prepare students for careers and further education. - Office of Gov. Kelly Ayotte
Manchester community center nears completion
The 20,000‑square‑foot Mark Stebbins Community Center is under construction on Manchester’s West Side; when it opens in fall 2026 it will house the Boys & Girls Club and Amoskeag Health to serve children and families. - NH Business Review
That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter! This newsletter is shared in partnership with our friends at NH Rocks! We also post on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook.
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Thanks for reading!
-Andy