CONCORD — Five organizations in northern New Hampshire are the recipients of Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst awards.
These are St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts in Berlin, North Country Education Services in Gorham, Milan-Dummer Ambulance Service based in Milan, Evergreen Start in Lancaster and the North Country Community Recreation Center in Colebrook.
Communities and organizations across seven rural New Hampshire counties will receive more than $8.1 million in federal funding through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) Catalyst Program, supporting projects with a total economic impact of approximately $18.4 million.
Established by Congress in 2008, the Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst is a federal-state partnership that has contributed more than $64 million into rural regions of New Hampshire for the last 10 years. Communities in all or portions of Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties are eligible for project funding focused on strengthening economic opportunity and infrastructure, a press release notes.
"We are extremely grateful to the Northern Border Regional Commission for this investment in St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts and the North Country community. This $131,000 grant will allow us to upgrade our aging sound and lighting systems, significantly enhancing the experience for audiences, performers, community organizations, and visitors who attend events at our historic facility,” said Sylvie Warren, manager of St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts.
“St. Kieran serves as a year-round gathering place for live music, visual arts, educational programs, wellness activities, community meetings, and special events. These improvements will help us continue expanding those opportunities while strengthening our role as a regional center for arts, culture, and community engagement.
“For a small nonprofit organization, receiving an award of this magnitude is both humbling and exciting. This achievement reflects the dedication of our volunteers, Board of Directors, donors, sponsors, performers, and patrons whose support has helped make St. Kieran a valued community resource.
“As we move forward with this project, we welcome those who would like to support our mission through volunteering, attending events, sponsorships, or charitable contributions. We are excited about what this project means for the future of St. Kieran and the communities we serve throughout the North Country."
For Chuck Patterson, executive director of North Country Education Services, the $268,205 to address critical teacher shortages and strengthen long-term economic vitality in northern New Hampshire will help education major graduates as they start their teaching careers.
“We are using this funding to support stipends for people who are completing student teaching in northern New Hampshire,” Patterson said in a phone interview.
In a collaboration with White Mountains Community College, for graduates of their teacher education program, for example, classroom teaching experience can be gained with the students and graduates able to be paid.
“The funding is enough to support 25 people across two cohorts Two cohorts starting in spring 2027 will put into practice the paid student-teaching experience. Recruiting and retaining educators in northern New Hampshire is a goal associated with the award.
A cohort is a group with a shared characteristic.
“We’re hoping this helps more people complete their education and give them incentive for staying around,” said Patterson.
The total 16 state-wide awarded projects reflect priorities identified in New Hampshire’s economic development strategy, including expanding housing and childcare capacity, supporting workforce development, investing in infrastructure, strengthening the forest products industry, and helping businesses grow and innovate in rural communities.
“These grants will be instrumental in creating new opportunities for rural communities across our state,” Governor Kelly Ayotte said. “By investing in childcare, workforce development, infrastructure, and economic revitalization, we are supporting projects that will make a lasting difference for rural New Hampshire families, businesses, and communities.”
The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs works closely with municipalities, nonprofits, educational institutions, and regional partners throughout the year to develop competitive projects that address critical community and economic needs. Guided by the state’s economic development plan, these investments are designed to support long-term economic vitality, improve quality of life, and create opportunities for residents and employers across rural New Hampshire.
“NBRC awardees this round showcase the innovative nature of rural communities here in New Hampshire,” said Commissioner Lucy Lange. “These projects represent investments that will strengthen what makes communities grow, thrive, and prosper by supporting local industries, expanding access to essential services, and helping communities build a stronger economic future.”
Also receiving awards are: Evergreen Start, Lancaster, receiving $500,000 to operate regional childcare back-office infrastructure that provides centralized fiscal and operational management, supporting parental workforce participation and job retention;
Milan-Dummer Ambulance Service, Milan/Dummer, receiving $320,000 to scale an EMS career pipeline at the decommissioned Berlin National Guard Armory and expanding training services for unemployed and under-employed in high-demand;
North Country Community Recreation Center, Colebrook, receiving $1 million to provide outdoor recreation infrastructure to provide additional recreational opportunities for residents and visitors;
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