Funds to Support Meaningful Community-Based Projects Across the State
CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) announced today that it had awarded more than $11.5 million in Community Center Investment Program resources to New Hampshire nonprofits and municipalities advancing community-based projects. These funds allow for deeper impacts within New Hampshire communities with one-time, strategic investments in critical infrastructure.
Community Center Investment Program resources will support the enhancement of current indoor and outdoor facilities, as well as the construction of new spaces, that have proven to be inclusive, open to the public, and foster a culture of health and wellbeing in the communities they serve.
“We saw tremendous demand for Community Center Investment Program resources and look forward to working with organizations across the Granite State to advance projects that are meeting the diverse, multifaceted needs of their communities,” stated Katy Easterly Martey, Executive Director, CDFA.
“Projects awarded resources have demonstrated a strong benefit to their community by providing opportunities for residents to be active, receive essential services and engage with fellow residents in civic activities,” continued Easterly Martey. “These investments will help nonprofits and municipalities improve and create spaces that are incredibly important for the health and vibrancy of New Hampshire’s communities.”
Examples of projects funded with Community Center Investment Program resources include:
- Exeter Multi-Generational Community Center: The Town of Exeter will create a fully ADA-accessible, year-round, multigenerational community center that will serve the greater Exeter community. The center is adjacent to the Town’s recreation facility. Once the renovations are complete, the Town will expand on its current collaborations with various non-profit agencies to provide services and activities for the entire community that increase social connectivity within and improve quality of life for the greater community.
- Tapply-Thompson Community Center: The Center will leverage resources to renovate its existing space. These renovations are critical for the Tapply-Thompson Community Center to continue to serve as an open, inclusive space that serves the rural communities of Alexandria, Bridgewater, Bristol, Danbury, Groton, Hebron, Hill and New Hampton. The center provides a safe and secure place for the community to come together, as well as receive services.
- Tamworth Community Nurse Association: Resources will support the development of a new space that will enhance access to the critical services delivered by the Tamworth Community Nurse Association, as well as the variety of health, wellness and community programs and events currently offered. The center will be open and accessible to the community. In addition, the Association proactively seeks to support residents marginalized by rural isolation, aging, poverty, disabilities, or lack of family support. The project is a collaboration with the Town of Tamworth and the result of a strategic planning initiative and community survey that demonstrated strong, local support.
The following is a comprehensive list of organizations awarded Community Center Investment Program resources:
- City of Keene – Brian A. Mattson Recreation Center (Keene)
- City of Laconia – Leavitt Community Center (Laconia)
- City of Nashua – Arlington Street Community Center (Nashua)
- Claremont Learning Partnership (Claremont)
- G.A.L.A. Community Center (Wolfeboro)
- Gibson Center for Senior Services (North Conway)
- Hannah Grimes Center, Inc. (Keene)
- Jaffrey Civic Center (Jaffrey)
- Monadnock Area Peer Support Agency (Keene)
- Squam Lakes Association (Holderness)
- Tamworth Community Nurse Association (Tamworth)
- Tapply-Thompson Community Center (Bristol)
- Town of Exeter – Exeter Multigenerational Community Center (Exeter)
- Town of Peterborough – Peterborough Community Center (Peterborough)
- Town of Wakefield – Wakefield Community Pavilion (Wakefield)
- Town of Whitefield – Whitefield Public Library (Whitefield)
The Governor and Executive Council approved this investment of federal American Rescue Plan Act State Fiscal Recovery Funds on December 21, 2022. The Community Center Investment Program is being administered in coordination with the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery.
CDFA annually invests resources to support meaningful community economic development projects across New Hampshire and build strong communities. To learn more about CDFA, its impact on New Hampshire communities, and available funding resources, visit www.nhcdfa.org.
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The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is a statewide nonprofit public authority focused on maximizing the value and impact of community development, economic development, and clean energy initiatives throughout New Hampshire. The organization leverages a variety of financial and technical resources, including the competitive deployment of grant, loan, and equity programs. Those resources include New Hampshire state tax credits, federal Community Development Block Grant resources and the CDFA Clean Energy Fund. For more information about CDFA and its programs, visit www.nhcdfa.org or call 603-226-2170.
