Governor Kelly Ayotte has recognized April 21 – 25, 2025 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.
“Much of what we accomplish best in our state is done at the local level, which is why I am proud to support the Community Development Block Grant Program’s important efforts to support our cities and towns,” said Governor Kelly Ayotte. “This program empowers our local communities to grow in ways that reflect their unique needs—from expanding affordable housing to supporting small businesses. As we celebrate Community Development Week, I want to thank the Community Development Finance Authority for the work they do to strengthen our economy and improve the quality of life for Granite Staters.”
“Dedicating resources to community economic development initiatives in New Hampshire is fundamental to the growth and prosperity of our communities and our state,” said Katherine Easterly Martey, Executive Director, CDFA. “Through these investments, we are building critical public infrastructure to support our communities to be strong, resilient, and vibrant places. We are honored to support these efforts with the deployment of Community Development Block Grants across the Granite State and are grateful for the community partners that ensure these resources fund important, community initiatives.”
CDFA has guided the investment of more than $204 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, 2023 and June 30, 2024, funds from New Hampshire’s Community Development Block Grant Program have:
• Improved the lives of 11,040 people through public services and public facility improvements;
• Created or retained 22 livable wage jobs with benefits;
• Created or rehabilitated 251 affordable and workforce housing units; and
• Provided technical assistance to 300 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. Funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is provided to New Hampshire through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In New Hampshire, Community Development Block Grant resources administered by CDFA increase access to affordable childcare and critical community services; create healthy and safe affordable housing for working families and seniors; empower small businesses through technical assistance; revitalize neighborhoods and help strengthen Main Streets; promote economic development; and improve community facilities.
Community partners that are critical to the success of these investments in New Hampshire include: municipalities, counties, grant administrators, nonprofits, Regional Planning Commissions, Regional Development Corporations, and CDFA’s Community Development Advisory Committee.
To learn more about how Community Development Block Grants and other CDFA resources are impacting New Hampshire communities, review CDFA’s State Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report.
About the Community Development Finance Authority
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.
