Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter #5 - Something We Do
Plus: sheep landscapers, community development, rocket pilots, immigrant farmers. PFA remediation, centenarian activists, racial diversity, small-town solar, and more!
Hello! Welcome to the Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, part of Granite Goodness.
We regularly round up and share positive news & media in and about New Hampshire.
My name is Andy DeMeo. I’ve lived in NH all my life. Granite Goodness is my love letter to our extraordinary state.
I created this project because I believe that being aware of positivity and progress leaves people more inspired to create their own. Optimism, kindness, and the will to solve complex problems are infectious qualities.
Also, being an optimist is just more fun.
As a general rule, this newsletter aims to include stories that fit the following criteria:
The story is in or about New Hampshire
The story is about something bigger than singular acts of kindness
The story is about something good— people building, creating, or doing things that improve the world and reduce suffering
Just think- as long as it’s good and New Hampshire sized, it belongs here!
If you have any story tips, let us know at hello@granitegoodness.com.
For more personal stories about New Hampshire people making the world a better place, make sure to check our podcast, Granite Goodness, available anywhere.
Enjoy!
GRANITE GRID-BUILDING
Energy & Renewables
Across New Hampshire, small towns plug in solar
“Solar arrays at schools and on the roofs of fire stations, transfer stations, libraries and town halls are shaving electricity costs in small towns and school districts across rural New Hampshire.” - Union Leader
NH among New England states awarded $389 million for grid upgrades
“Dubbed “Power Up,” the proposal from the six New England states was submitted in April as part of the Department of Energy’s $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships grant program” - WBUR
Unitil launches New Hampshire's largest solar project, expected to power 1,200 homes
“Construction is underway on what will become New Hampshire’s largest solar project, with plans to install more than 11,000 solar panels. ‘It will be enough to provide electricity to over 1,200 homes. To put that in perspective, that’s almost half the homes here in Kingston,’ Tom Meissner, Unitil’s CEO, said.” - WMUR
GRANITE GARDENING
Farming & Agriculture
Farming program gives new Americans a growth opportunity
“Beginning in Dunbarton, Fresh Start has expanded to own or lease plots in Boscawen and Concord as well, currently run by farmers from Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, Nepal, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroon and Uganda and Zimbabwe.” - Union Leader
Sheep grow in popularity as solution to NH landscape management
“…livestock can also work projects that would make for intense manual labor. At Gunstock Mountain Resort, her sheep were able to get to hard-to-reach hills…sheep also graze on invasive species like poison ivy in places where people can’t or choose not to use chemical treatments.” - NHPR
NH Farmers celebrate return of peaches after devastating 2023
“Farmers across New Hampshire are celebrating the return of peaches this summer after a devastating 2023 that saw the entire crop wiped out by extreme cold snaps.” - WMUR
GRANITE GOVERNING
Politics & Governance
New Hampshire bucks trend of national poll worker shortage
“New Hampshire officials… say the state is on track to properly staff its polling locations. Town moderators and clerks from municipalities around Concord say their recruitment is on par with previous years, and with what they need.” - Concord Monitor
New law gives children in abuse and neglect cases the right to legal representation
“A New Hampshire Senate bill signed into law last week gives children the right to legal counsel in cases of abuse and neglect… Lisa Wolford, executive director of the Children’s Law Center of New Hampshire, hailed SB 463, signed by Gov. Chris Sununu on July 26, as a landmark for the state.” - Union Leader
New Hampshire law requires more transparency in AI-generated political ads
“The law requires AI-generated content to be disclosed in political ads within 90 days of an election. The legislation allows candidates or election officials who are ‘depicted through the use of a deceptive and fraudulent deepfake’ in violation of the law to bring legal action against those responsible for that depiction.” - NH Business Review
New Hampshire is destroying PFAS in fire-fighting foam
“Every gallon of foam collected and destroyed responsibly means you're not going to have a groundwater contamination event,” said Revive CEO David Trueba. “You're going to have healthier citizens, you're going to have cleaner drinking water.” - NHPR
Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters. New laws in NH aim to reduce that risk
A new law will ban added PFAS in certain consumer goods, starting in 2027
“The new law will prohibit PFAS in consumer items like food packaging, menstrual products, children's toys, cosmetics, textiles, carpets and more. It will also create and fund a position with the department of environmental services to enforce PFAS control measures… The bill passed both legislative chambers with bipartisan support." - NHPR
GRANITE GRIT
Building & Infrastructure
Dover Embraces Its Roots with Waterfront Revitalization
“The city is enveloped by layers of history and thriving activity, and soon a new chapter will be written: the Cochecho Waterfront Development Project, a mixed-use site first envisioned decades ago by now-Deputy City Manager Chris Parker and other proponents, is scheduled for completion in June 2026.” - NH Magazine
Across Southern NH, Development is in overdrive
“‘We have a lot of development and redevelopment projects in the pipeline, and a lot of people looking at starting projects,’ said Beverly Donovan, Derry’s economic director.” - Union Leader
$200,000 raised from Manchester sale of vacant lots to build affordable homes for women
“Manchester aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday night to use $200,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create eight new units of affordable housing for homeless women, a move made possible due to the recent sale of vacant city lots. The 15 vacant lots sold by auction in June generated $1.13 million, 100% of which went to the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.” - Union Leader
Nashua completes 216 unit affordable housing complex
“Monahan Manor is a complex with 216 units ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments. 206 are designated as affordable housing with 10 leased at market rate.” - NH Business Review
Laconia adds 24 units of affordable rentals
“With these additions, and through working with local landlords, Laconia Housing now houses nearly 1,500 residents, including elderly, disabled, working families, and professionals in 351 units across Laconia, Belmont, and Northfield.” - NH Business Review
GRANITE GROWTH
Economy, Workforce
New Hampshire is becoming more racially diverse
“These data show that, despite being one of the least diverse states in terms of race and ethnicity demographics, NH’s BIPOC and Hispanic populations are increasing in number in New Hampshire. Having a state that is welcoming and supportive to people from all backgrounds will allow New Hampshire to stay well, productive, and competitive.” - NH Center for Justice & Equity
NH community colleges develop cybersecurity workforce training
“‘I, myself, was the identity theft victim… Businesses need cyber security professionals to help to mitigate the risk and come up with some sort of feasible solutions to protect the private data, to protect people, to protect the assets, intellectual property and everything like that. So for me, it was a personal story and a passion.’” - NH Business Review
Jetblue expands service to Manchester NH
“Today’s announcements continue the trend of new airlines and routes coming to New Hampshire, enhancing the state’s domestic connectivity, and supporting economic growth… All of this reinforces New Hampshire as a pivotal hub in the national and international aviation network by providing new opportunities for business and leisure travel.” - NH Dept of Business & Economics Affairs
GRANITE GADGETS
Science & Innovation
UNH planning construction of state of the art research facility
“The EDGE at UNH is a transformational opportunity to build an active neighborhood of innovation… Entrepreneurs, researchers, students and established professionals will mingle and collaborate in this lively new district… where academic and industry collaborators bring new technologies and products from idea to marketplace, generating economic value and job creation.” - NH Business Review
UNH researchers study effect of heatwaves on marine life to help enhance conservation efforts
“‘By understanding the specific survival thresholds for different marine species, our research can provide insight into how various heatwave profiles impact marine life,’ said Villeneuve. ‘This understanding is key for developing more effective conservation and management strategies to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.’” - UNH Today
UNH researchers help discover lost plant species
“‘I think over time, we’ll see more and more stories like this, about how our natural history collections contain ‘hidden species’ that we may have not even known existed and have now disappeared from our world.’” - UNH Today
UNH Manchester examines role of STEM education in inspiring students to serve society
“Mihaela Sabin, professor of computer science in the College of Professional Studies Manchester division, will collaborate on a project led by Purdue University that aims to educate future professionals who are not only technically prepared but care ethically and morally about their roles in the workplace and society.” - UNH Today
GRANITE GREENERY
Sustainability & Environment
Schafer Woods, 140+ Acres in Atkinson, Conserved Forever
“On August 8, thanks to a generous land donation from the Schafer Family and in partnership with the Town of Atkinson, the Southeast Land Trust of NH (SELT) acquired and permanently conserved the 140-acre Schafer Woods in Atkinson, NH.” - SELT
Annual survey reveals NH business increasingly prioritize sustainability
“The survey revealed a spectrum of sustainability efforts, ranging from comprehensive programs to early-stage implementation. Some organizations have embraced product stewardship, waste reduction and goal tracking, while others are just starting to integrate these practices.” - NH Business Review
Developers break ground on first net-zero NH housing units geared towards middle class
“The 26 market rate duplexes, developed by Aspire Residential, are designed to produce or save as much energy as they consume. They are expected to all go on the market at the end of next year.” - NHPR
NH plant to be removed from endangered species list
“…the northeastern bulrush that was listed as endangered in 1991 but doesn’t seem to be in danger anymore. Fourteen populations have been found in New Hampshire, mostly in the state’s southwest corner, and scores more are in other states. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to remove it from their list of endangered plants.” - Granite Geek
GRANITE GIVING
Nonprofits & Philanthropy
CDFA Awards $6.6 million in tax credits to 20 NH non-profits
“Organizations across the state being awarded funds are helping to address some of New Hampshire’s most significant challenges, including access to affordable housing and quality child care, innovative approaches to workforce development, and revitalization efforts to drive economic development and create vibrant community hubs.” - Manchester Ink Link
Fidelity Investments donates more than 150,000 meals for those in need
“‘We are extremely grateful to the entire team at Fidelity for their continued generosity and support of the New Hampshire Food Bank,’ said Eileen Liponis, Executive Director, New Hampshire Food Bank… ‘Partnerships like this are critical to our efforts to help those in need.’” - Manchester Ink Link
GRANITE GOSSIP
Positive content about NH
New Hampshire Business Review: Down to Business— Down to Business is a weekly NH Business Review podcast… Each week, Editor Mike Cote and Managing Editor Amanda Andrews sit down with local business professionals to talk about the latest business headlines and the news readers need to know about.
Episode 202- Patent Pending: Guest Kyle Dimick, a 22-year-old Plymouth State University (PSU) graduate, shares his story of patenting a prototype that makes hygiene tasks more accessible for individuals with limited mobility.
NHPR: Give Back NH— Give Back New Hampshire is a bi-weekly segment that spotlights nonprofit organizations across the Granite State.
New Hampshire Lakes: “On this week’s episode of Give Back New Hampshire, we’ll be hearing from New Hampshire Lakes. Founded in 1992, the organization's mission is to restore and preserve the health of all of New Hampshire’s 1,000 lakes and ponds.”
GRANITE GREATNESS
Human Interest & Our Favorite Stories
NH residents honor ”Granny D”, legendary Granite State democracy activist
“On Saturday, 35 people celebrated the late Granny D by trekking all or part of the 6.2 miles from her former home in Dublin to Putnam Park in Peterborough, where roughly 80 revelers gathered for a Democracy Festival…they carried the spirit of the democracy advocate who died on March 9, 2010, six weeks after her 100th birthday. Signs adorned bushes and walkways in Putman Park: ‘Honk for Democracy!’ ‘End Big Money Elections’ and ‘Democracy is not something we have. It’s something we do’ (Granny D’s famous quote).” - Union Leader
NH SpaceX pilot prepares for potentially groundbreaking commercial flight
“According to Poteet, the Polaris Dawn mission has four main objectives — set a new record for highest orbit in history, perform the first commercial spacewalk, test the efficiency of new Star Link communications, and conduct dozens of experiments on new spacesuit technology that's capable of withstanding temperatures as extreme as plus or minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit.” - WMUR
That’s it for this edition of the Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter. This newsletter is free and shareable to anyone anywhere. We also post on Instagram and Linkedin.
If you are hungry for good news beyond the borders of the Granite State, I encourage you to check out our friends at Fix the News or the Progress Network.
Thanks for reading!
-Andy