Ski labs + farm futures + mushroom materials + curbside compost + training tradeswomen
New England Good News #8
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. Based in NH, our “good news” ethos is simple: substance + optimism = granite and good.
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NOTE FROM ANDY
Hello everyone! Welcome to the 244 new people who have joined the Granite Goodness community since our last newsletter, and to Shelby Miuzzo, Kaelli Gehrung, and Chad Moore for joining our Optimists Club!
Come join us Tuesday March 17 for a community gathering at Treeline Outfitters in Portsmouth, NH with our friends at Give and Gather. Co-organizer Andrea and I made a quick video about it:
Coming up as well on March 27 is our rescheduled LIVE SHOW at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH. We will be opened by friends of Granite Goodness SNEAKY MILES and joined by other excellent local pods. Gene and Troy cannot make the rescheduled date, so we will instead be joined by Alison Kinsey of Real Time Creator and Steve Ivo of Dr. Beewell — tickets here!
I recently got interviewed on Dr. Beewell, so check that out if you want a deep dive into Granite Goodness. Big thanks as well to my friend Aimee Terravechia and NH Culture Review for their recent feature of our work. If you’re curious, we compile all the fun stuff Granite Goodness is up to on our media page. It’s a fun timeline!
Now enjoy some good news!
GRANITE GREENERY: Sustainability & Nature
Rhode Island towns pilot curbside composting to cut waste and emissions
Three Rhode Island communities have launched the state’s first municipal curbside composting programs, helping divert tons of waste from landfills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. - Governing
Geothermal network expands in Massachusetts
An $8.6 million federal grant will help double the size of a pioneering geothermal heating and cooling network in Framingham, bringing efficient underground energy to more homes and businesses. - Canary Media
Local fund helps electrify homes in New Hampshire
A community program in the Monadnock Region has raised more than $350,000 to help residents install heat pumps, solar panels, and other clean energy upgrades. The locally funded effort aims to help dozens of households cut energy costs and reduce emissions while transitioning homes away from fossil fuels. - NHPR
GRANITE GRIT: Building & Infrastructure
Rhode Island launches $20 million push for entry-level homeownership
Rhode Island is launching a $20 million initiative to accelerate the construction of affordable starter homes and expand homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents. Funds will support developers building smaller, lower-cost homes while helping more Rhode Islanders buy their first home. - RI.gov
Vermont invests $100 million in housing, infrastructure, and workforce programs
More than $100 million in federal funding will support affordable housing, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, workforce training programs, flood resilience projects, and expanded dental care services across Vermont. - VTDigger
UNH expands ocean mapping research center
The University of New Hampshire has broken ground on a new 70,500-square-foot Ocean Mapping Center of Excellence that will support cutting-edge seafloor research, workforce training, and collaborations with ocean technology companies. - University of New Hampshire
GRANITE GROWTH: Economics & Opportunity
Mt. Washington Valley becomes hub for independent ski innovation1
Black Mountain in Jackson, New Hampshire will remain independently owned as Indy Pass founder Erik Mogensen consolidates Indy Pass and ski-industry tech firm Entabeni Systems at the mountain. The historic ski area will serve as a testing ground for new technology, business models, and ideas aimed at helping independent ski resorts thrive, while bringing new jobs and investment to the Mount Washington Valley. - NHPR
Vermont expands training program for women in the trades
A workforce program in Vermont is expanding to four locations in 2026 to train women and gender-expansive residents for careers in construction. The free Trailblazers program provides hands-on training and paid internships to help more people enter high-demand skilled trades. - Construction Owners
Western Massachusetts invests in farmland protection
Three regional planning agencies in western Massachusetts are launching a new effort to help towns preserve farmland and support local farmers. Backed by a $268,000 state grant, the initiative will develop planning tools and partnerships to protect agricultural land. - Greenfield Recorder
GRANITE GADGETS: Science & Technology
UConn research aims to slow biological aging
A national research effort involving the University of Connecticut is testing whether a drug originally developed for HIV treatment could reduce inflammation linked to aging. The $22 million project aims to help older adults stay healthier, stronger, and mentally sharp as they age. - University of Connecticut
Maine researchers develop mushroom-based alternative to plastic packaging
Researchers at the University of Maine have created a biodegradable food packaging material made from mushroom mycelium and wood fibers that can resist water and oil like plastic. The new material could provide a sustainable alternative to traditional food packaging while breaking down naturally after use. - University of Maine
MIT researchers find new way to make protein medicines cheaper
MIT scientists have developed an innovative method that helps yeast produce important medicines more efficiently, which could lower the cost of making vaccines, hormones, and other lifesaving drugs. - MIT
GRANITE GOODS: Institutions & Community
Connecticut expands water bill assistance for low-income households
The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority has expanded its financial assistance program, increasing grant amounts and widening eligibility so more families can receive help paying their water bills. Qualifying households can now receive up to $300 per year through the program. - CT Insider
Maine communities invest opioid settlement funds in recovery and prevention
Local governments across Maine spent $3 million from opioid settlement funds last year to support addiction treatment in jails, behavioral health workers, recovery centers, youth prevention programs, and outreach services. The investments are helping expand treatment access and strengthen community-based responses to the opioid crisis. - Maine Monitor
New Hampshire strengthens school safety with funding and reforms
New Hampshire has implemented 47 of 59 recommendations from the bipartisan 2018 School Safety Preparedness Task Force and awarded $8 million in SAFE grants to fund security upgrades and preparedness projects in schools. The state has also completed 1,300+ school safety assessments and reached 99% compliance with required emergency operations plans. - Rochester Post
Partner Spotlight!
Thanks to our Community Partner, Green Wave Electric Vehicles, for helping support Granite Goodness!
Green Wave founder Jesse Lore has been an enthusiastic and early believer in Granite Goodness. I chatted with him on the podcast last year and it remains one of my favorite convos.
As an EV owner who lives in rural New England, I can’t speak positively enough about my experience. Yesterday I did the math on how much electrifying my car has likely saved me (I drove ~29k miles in 2025, 12k of those for Granite Goodness purposes) and it was easily $1,400 - $1,600 annually in offset gas + maintenance costs (excluding how much my solar panels also saved me in electricity). Plus, I can bring my dogs anywhere I like and they can stay safe and comfortable in a climate controlled environment.
Big congrats to Jesse and the Green Wave team for opening a second location in Salem, Massachusetts. If you’re around, come join us for the opening celebration there on April 2 (tentative date!).
That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New England Newsletter!2 If you’d like to support Granite Goodness, consider joining our Optimists Club.
Learn more about the people behind these stories on our podcast and social media.
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.
Please reach out to granitegoodness@gmail.com with sponsor or partner inquiries.
Thanks for reading!
-Andy
I just want to give an extra shout-out here to my friend Kal Csigi, who has experienced and aided the revitalization of Black Mountain first-hand as a staff member / ski patroller. My wife and I are season pass holders and the energy at Black Mountain this year has been incredible to witness!
All postard images are sourced from the Tichnor Brothers Collection at the Boston Public Library, licensed under CCO 1.0.