More than $213 Million in Community Development Block Grant Resources Invested in New Hampshire Since 2003
CDFA celebrated its commitment to building strong communities through the investment of federal Community Development Block Grants in recognition of April as National Community Development Week. In New Hampshire, Community Development Block Grant resources administered by CDFA increase access to affordable childcare and critical services in community facilities, create healthy and safe affordable housing, empower small businesses through technical assistance, increase energy efficiency, revitalize neighborhoods and Main Streets, and strengthen local economies.
“Investing in community economic development is essential to building strong, resilient communities across New Hampshire,” said Katherine Easterly Martey, Executive Director of CDFA. “Through Community Development Block Grant investments, we are supporting locally driven projects that strengthen public infrastructure and spaces that our communities rely on every day. We are proud to deploy Community Development Block Grants in partnership with municipalities and nonprofits advancing projects that strengthen communities across the Granite State.”
Funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is provided to New Hampshire through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Highlights of Community Development Week included the following.
Received a Proclamation from Governor Ayotte
Governor Kelly Ayotte recognized April 6 – 12, 2026 as Community Development Week in New Hampshire. The proclamation underscores the significant impact of federal Community Development Block Grant resources within communities across New Hampshire. This marks more than fifty years of the Community Development Block Grant Program. CDFA has been committed to strengthening New Hampshire communities for more than forty years.
CDFA has guided the investment of more than $213 million of Community Development Block Grant resources into New Hampshire communities since 2003. These critical resources directly impact people in our communities and have been deployed across the state to support economic development, housing and community-based initiatives.
Between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, funds from New Hampshire’s Community Development Block Grant Program have:
• Improved the lives of 2,077 people through public facility improvements;
• Created or retained 26 livable wage jobs with benefits;
• Created or rehabilitated 116 affordable and workforce housing units; and
• Provided technical assistance to 342 micro businesses.
Community Development Block Grant resources directly impact people in our communities and have been deployed across the state making a significant impact on economic development, housing and community-based initiatives which primarily benefit low- and moderate-income people in New Hampshire.
Recognized Our Community Partners
Community partners are critical to the successful investment of Community Development Block Grants across New Hampshire. Their leadership and vision are strengthening communities, expanding opportunity and making meaningful, lasting impact across the state. Those partners advancing local projects that respond to community needs include: municipalities, counties, grant administrators, nonprofits, Regional Planning Commissions and Regional Development Corporations.
CDFA also recognized the leadership and commitment of the Community Development Advisory Committee in guiding the strategic use of these resources. The Advisory Committee serves a vital role in the strategic deployment of these resources into thoughtful, community driven investments.
Awarded $5.1 Million in Community Development Block Grants to New Hampshire Communities
These critical resources will support housing, public facilities, and infrastructure projects in communities throughout the state. Investments will impact 73 units of housing and nearly 11,500 residents.
“Community Development Block Grant funds play a critical role in strengthening communities across New Hampshire,” said Katherine Easterly Martey, Executive Director of CDFA. “These investments are meeting the critical needs of the people in our communities – helping families stay housed, providing parents access to child care, supporting access to food security and critical services, and creating spaces for communities to gather and build connection. Our local partners are turning federal investments into real, lasting impact for New Hampshire communities.”
New Hampshire media outlets from across the state shared the positive news of these investments, including:
• Caledonian-Record, Community Center Awarded $500K Grant, Plans 2027 Annex Grand Opening, April 7
• Patch.com, NH Communities, Including Concord, Slated for $5.1M in CDFA Grants for Housing, Facilities, April 8
• The Keene Sentinel, Community Development Block Grants awarded to three local projects, April 9
• The Laconia Daily Sun, Belknap House receives grant award for sewer repairs, April 13
• Caledonian-Record, NHCDFA Awards $1 Million To Two Lisbon Projects, April 13
• Berlin Daily Sun & Conway Daily Sun, Berlin among block grant awardees by finance authority, April 29
The Caledonian-Record article dated April 13 underscores CDFA’s efforts to serve as a partner to communities and local nonprofits advancing critical community economic development projects:
“As for CDFA as a partner, they are one of the best we have,” Harrison Kanzler, AHEAD’s executive director, said Monday. “They are always willing to work with us to walk through our projects and find creative solutions to using their programs for the betterment of North Country communities. The staff and board of CDFA have shown they are committed to all communities in the state and we applaud them for that.”
Communities awarded funds include: Belknap County, Berlin, Cheshire County, Concord, Hillsborough, Keene, Laconia, Lisbon and Littleton. Learn more.
