GREGG, SUNUNU: $643,900 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PLANNING GRANT TO HELP NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
North Country Council will use funding to help existing businesses, recruit new employers
September 10, 2008
Contact: Laena Fallon (GREGG)
Barbara Riley (SUNUNU)
WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu (R-NH) today (9/10) announced that the Bethlehem-based North Country Council will receive a $643,900 technical assistance and planning grant from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help with economic recovery efforts following the paper mill closure in Groveton and paper mill slowdown in Gorham, New Hampshire.
The EDA grant will provide immediate technical assistance to existing businesses in the area, as well as marketing and recruitment activities through the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN). In addition, the State of New Hampshire Business Resource Center (NHBRC) will identify companies in New England and Quebec, Canada, which might wish to expand into Coos County.
Senator Gregg stated, “This much needed EDA award will help the state and North Country communities address many of the economic impacts felt by workers and families affected by the closure of the Wausau mill last winter, the previous closures of the Groveton Paper Board and Burgess mills and the reduction at the Cascade mill in Gorham. I strongly supported this grant which will move multiple projects forward, including funding to begin the process of redeveloping the Groveton mill complex, an expansion of the successful job training offered by the Women’s Rural Enterprise Network and important planning, marketing and employment development programs directed to the North Country by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, the North Country Council and Northern Community Investment Corporation. I applaud these leaders for their dedication to addressing the economic challenges impacting the North Country. These efforts will provide a necessary boost to jumpstart the local economy in a positive direction and create new job opportunities throughout the region.”
Senator Sununu stated, “Despite the economic pressures faced by New Hampshire’s North Country, particularly with the loss of jobs from the closures of the Wausau Paper Mill in Groveton and the slowdown at the Fraser Mill in Gorham, this region of our state continues to show its economic resilience. The North Country Council deserves credit for helping to build strength along the way, and this funding will play a valuable role in further economic development in this region. I am proud of the strong partnership of my office with the Council in helping to obtain this most recent round of federal funding.”
Last month, North Country Council members joined Senator Sununu in hosting tours of current and prospective economic development projects in Coos, Grafton and Carroll Counties with EDA Deputy Assistant Secretary Ben Erulkar, who also participated in the Senator’s economic development roundtable in Groveton last November.
Michael King, Executive Director of the North Country Council, stated "We are thrilled that the EDA has agreed to support the economic development of the North Country. We and our partners have worked hard to put together what we feel is a proactive approach to stimulate the economy of the North Country. We appreciate the support that both Senator Gregg and Senator Sununu have given in helping to make available to the North Country funding, from EDA, to help in our efforts to create economic opportunity for the citizens of the North Country."
Jon Freeman, President of Northern Community Investment Corporation (NCIC), stated, “Each of the components of the Sudden and Severe grant award is so important to the region and we are pleased to partner with North Country Council in this endeavor. As we consider the natural beauty, people, culture, activities and properties of Coos County, we recognize it’s potential to become a world-class destination. With that in mind, NCIC will utilize this grant to help continue the development of the Community Branding, Development and Marketing Action Plan for Coos County. It is a project that can help the regional vitality by importing cash and creating jobs. So once again we thank Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu for helping to make this happen and for all they do for the North Country!”
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