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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HELLO OPTIMISTS!
Happy fall! We’re back with some fresh good news.
A couple cool things going on lately. First, we want to give a WARM WELCOME to Michele Holt-Shannon and Chris Dugan for joining our Optimists Club.
We also recently sat down with NHPR President and CEO Jim Schachter to talk about media, negativity bias, what makes NHPR unique, and why he is in fact optimistic about the future of local news (listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts).
I want to especially thank our Optimists Club as well as our several incredible partners (early believers!) Resilient Buildings Group, Green Wave Electric Vehicles, and Delta Dental for supporting us.
Now enjoy some good news.
Sustainability & Nature
Connecticut’s container recycling rate hits 92%, the nation’s highest. The state’s bottle return system continues to outpace all other states. Connecticut’s 2025 rate jumped 27 points from 2024 after it doubled deposits to 10 cents and expanded the program to noncarbonated beverages.
With $20M investment, Maine upcycles wood-waste into modern materials. The University of Maine-led tech hub will convert low-value timber into advanced construction systems and sustainable packaging, laying the groundwork for hundreds of skilled manufacturing jobs across rural Maine.
Kittery, Maine adopts ordinance to protect vulnerable shoreline. The town's updated floodplain management rules designate climate-vulnerable zones and require rebuilt structures to rise an additional foot above base flood elevation.
Building & Infrastructure
Somerville has eliminated all traffic deaths for four consecutive years. New England’s densest city reduced serious crashes by 50 percent through its landmark “Vision Zero” policies, installing speed humps, redesigning intersections, and slowing traffic on residential streets.
New Hampshire north country towns are getting $3M to build climate-resilient road crossings. A new federal grant will help northern New Hampshire communities upgrade ~15 stream crossings to withstand major storms while restoring wildlife passages.
Rhode Island ends gas subsidies and advances heat pump adoption. The Public Utilities Commission shifted incentives away from fossil fuel systems, making electric heat pumps more affordable for homeowners transitioning off natural gas.
Economics & Opportunity
Connecticut theater design firm becomes employee owned cooperative. In the beginning of this year, Nextstage Design transitioned to a five-person cooperative letting staff who built the business share ownership and decision-making. They have since landed a major multimillion dollar contract renovating a performance center at UMass Amherst.
New program allows NH inmates to earn UNH business degrees. Fifteen inmates at Berlin state prison are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in business administration through a collaboration between UNH, White Mountains Community College, and the NH Department of Corrections. Research shows incarcerated education programs reduce recidivism + expand workforce opportunities.
UVM announces 35% tuition discount for New England students. Starting fall 2027, students from any New England state majoring in programs offered by UVM’s colleges of agriculture & life sciences, education, social services, and environment & natural resources (and more) gain access to substantially reduced tuition, helping to address Vermont's talent pool shortages across various key fields for the state.
Science & Technology
New England’s premier science museum is getting an extraordinary upgrade. Opening in October, the Museum of Science’s new 10,000 square foot “Public Science Common” will feature ultra-high-resolution displays and spatial audio to transport visitors to Mars, ocean depths, within living cells, and beyond.
University of New England launches Shaw Institute for Public and Planetary Health. Backed by a $5 million gift from entrepreneur David Evans Shaw, the institute bridges health sciences, marine research, and environmental work to train graduates tackling climate resilience, coastal protection, and community health across Maine.
Rhode Island is making lab space free for life science researchers. Grants covering lab and office space for up to eight new ventures will reduce barriers for early-stage companies, strengthening Rhode Island’s biotech ecosystem and creating research jobs.
Civics & Community
Manchester, NH officially ends veteran homelessness. City leadership announced the milestone after years of coordinated housing and support services, proving that chronic homelessness among veterans is not inevitable with sustained commitment and resources.
Vermont commits state advertising dollars to strengthen local news. Governor Phil Scott signed an executive order requiring state agencies to prioritize spending on regional newspapers and broadcast stations, helping shore up support for ~50 active local news organizations to continue serving their communities across the state.
The Mi’kmaq Nation acquires 83 acres in Aroostook County, Maine. The parcel, called Pugweliget (“living together in a group”), adjoins existing housing and community space in Connor, enabling tribal members to hunt, forage, and access cultural uses.
That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter!1
Want local good news mailed to your home? Consider joining our Optimists Club (support us + local news!)
Learn more about the people behind these stories on our podcast.
Hungry for good news beyond the borders of New England? Check out our very own Optimists Club newsletter or our friends at Fix The News and The Progress Network.
All postcard images are sourced from the Tichnor Brothers Collection at the Boston Public Library, licensed under CCO 1.0.
As a person who walks her dog on the road, I'm especially grateful to read about CT's bottle/can return stats! It works! Let's figure out how to get others to follow!
Thanks for the good news! So many good things happening due to the hard work of many people working to make NH, New England, and the world a better place for all to enjoy.