Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter #6 - GrandFest
Plus: AI tutors, milk science, quantum computing, accelerating conservation, data privacy, phones in schools, accessible dwelling units, low crime, 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
Somersworth breaks ground on NH's first solar farm at Superfund site
“On Monday, the EPA joined U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas and local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking at the site of the former Somersworth Sanitary Landfill. This is the first time in New Hampshire that a portion of a Superfund site has been redeveloped into a solar farm.” - Foster’s Daily Democrat
NH rewriting rules to help streamline new renewables projects
“Gov. Chris Sununu approved Senate Bill 391 on Friday, which pushes the department to ‘set cost effective, timely, and predictable processes for customer generators wishing to interconnect to the state’s electric grid,’ something that has been a challenge for larger solar projects in the state.” - NHPR
USDA invests $10.6 million into rural New Hampshire
“Local businesses Caanan Hardware and Supply, The Amazing Flower Farm in New Ipswich, and the Flag Hill Distillery in the town of Lee will all receive funds to install solar arrays, which will offset energy use and subsequently save the businesses thousands of dollars each year, according to the announcement.” - NBC
Largest solar array in state halfway complete
“The 8,800 solar panels will become the state’s largest solar array when it goes live. Five megawatts of panels will be installed on the 14-acre field behind the new building and power the county complex.” - Derry News
Monadnock Sustainability Hub launches new program
“Electrify Monadnock is a new program from the Monadnock Sustainability Hub, designed to help households in the region pivot toward more efficient and cleaner energy use.” - Monadnock Sustainability Hub
GRANITE GARDENING
Farming & Agriculture
NH farms attracting more and more agrotourism
“‘It’s well laid out,” Hardy says. ‘We have dedicated areas for PYO that are mowed, and we have dozens of varieties of apples. Last year, the Hippo named us the best PYO in the state, and people travel for that. Agritourism is important for PYO and goes in hand with the fall tourism.’” - NH Magazine
GRANITE GOVERNING
Politics & Governance
AG prepares to enforce new law aimed at protecting consumers online privacy
“Under Senate Bill 255, the NH Data Privacy Act, consumers will gain a number of rights on Jan. 1 to protect their personal information. These rights include:
To confirm whether or not a business is controlling or processing their personal data.
To correct any inaccuracies in their personal data being processed by businesses.
To demand the deletion of personal data obtained from or about them.
To obtain a copy of their personal data being controlled or processed by the business.
To opt out of the future processing of their personal data for purposes of targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, or profiling.” - NH Business Review
FEMA grants for firefighters coming to Lakes Region
“The grants will allow firefighters and other first responders to obtain needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources. In additional to awards to municipalities, the state is receiving nearly $500,000 in grant funds.” - Laconia Daily Sun
New data shows NH violent crime rate 2nd lowest in country
Recent data shows New Hampshire’s violent crime rate at 125 incidents per 100,000 individuals, about 300% lower than the national average of 322. - FBI Crime Data Explorer
A new program could offer financial help to NH communities when disaster strikes
“New Hampshire communities have a new option for financial help in the wake of a disaster, after a new relief program was signed into law this summer.
The change allows the governor to declare a disaster — as opposed to waiting for the federal government to do so — and allows municipalities to apply for up to $25,000 per year to help with recovery.” - NHPR
GRANITE GRIT
Building & Infrastructure
Greenfield reduces barriers to building accessible housing
“Greenfield’s recent changes to the town’s zoning bylaws regarding accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, will provide increased opportunity for affordable housing as well as financial opportunity to residents, according to members of the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Planning Board.” - NH Business Review
Public Corporation New Hampshire Housing receives $6 million in annual funding to support housing for those struggling with opioids
“The program will provide capital funding to projects that create new supportive housing for households with a member who has Opioid Use Disorder and other co-occurring disorders and conditions.” - NH Housing
Londonderry begins construction on 409 unit housing complex
Hampton Falls greenlights 72 unit condo project
“Developer Joe Faro has plans to demolish Faro Gardens restaurant at 12 Lafayette Road to make way for 55-plus community featuring one- and two-bedroom units, a pool and clubhouse.” - NH Business Review
GRANITE GROWTH
Economy & Workforce
All 10 New Hampshire counties see population growth since pandemic
“‘With continued investment in affordable housing and high-speed internet access, we expect to see these trends continue,’ Caswell said, ‘and with proper planning, we can continue to welcome new residents and not impact our quality of life.’” - NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs
NH Ranked 5th best state to live in by WalletHub
“To identify the best states to live in, WalletHub compared the 50 states based on 51 key indicators of livability. They range from housing costs and income growth to the education rate and quality of hospitals.” - WalletHub
NH outpacing national post-pandemic wage growth
“The typical U.S. worker’s pay is about the same as it was in late 2019, after accounting for inflation. But workers in some states, including New Hampshire, have seen sharply higher earnings, especially in scenic areas that are appealing to remote workers and have labor shortages.” - Union Leader
Polling data shows increase in pro-housing attitudes among Granite Staters
The poll “…showed growing skepticism of local control over zoning: 62% agreed that the state should do more to encourage municipalities to remove barriers to housing development and 61% of NH voters think that their towns and communities should loosen planning and zoning restrictions on new housing.” - NH Housing
GRANITE GADGETS
Science & Innovation
UNH physics researcher awarded $1.25 million in funding
“Shawna Hollen, associate professor of physics, has been named to The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s 2024 cohort of Experimental Physics Investigators. The prestigious honor and funding will advance understanding of the link between charge density waves and quantum dots, two physical phenomena that could lead to improvements in quantum computing.” - UNH Today
UNH researchers propose equitable solution for allocating welfare funds
UNH Researchers Drive Advancements in Dairy Farming
Scientists at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES), will play a key role in supporting and advancing that change, offering solutions to everything from herd health and nutrition, disease management and operational costs – all with the goal of making dairy farming more efficient, effective and sustainable.” - UNH Today
GRANITE GRADUATES
Education
NH first state nationwide to enter into AI tutoring contract with Khan Academy
“New Hampshire education officials have approved free access to a pilot artificial intelligence teaching assistant and tutoring platform to all teachers and students in grades 5-12 across the state.” - Union Leader
Rural NH high school experiencing education renaissance
“…Franklin is shifting the traditional high school experience from timeworn and time-honored into something fluid, evolving and student-driven. It’s happening in a district historically strapped for workforce and money — but with a desire to do whatever it takes to help teens to succeed.” - Union Leader
Manchester school district reducing cell phone use in schools
“Manchester school officials are scheduled to discuss new rules that would strictly limit the use of electronic devices like cellphones by students during school hours.” - Union Leader
GRANITE GREENERY
Sustainability & Environment
Ross Parcel in Stratham Protected with an Assist from SELT
“The Ross project in Stratham had been simmering on the burner for 20 years, with the Stratham Conservation Commission having long eyed the 17-acre property as a small-but-significant missing link important for connectivity and the Commission’s conservation vision.” - SELT
SELT releases new strategic plan to double pace of land conservation by 2030
The plan calls to “Significantly increase SELT’s pace of direct land conservation and protect an additional 15,000 acres across Strafford and Rockingham Counties by 2030 through easements and acquisitions, with a continued focus on supporting healthy wildlife, water, and forests and mitigating climate change.” - SELT
GRANITE GIVING
Nonprofits & Philanthropy
Nashua non-profits find innovate ways to meet childcare staffing demand
“Liz Fitzgerald of the United Way of Greater Nashua is one of the people who helps run the program. She said the necessary certifications are available online, but the program aims to lower the entry barriers by providing additional support for participants who might struggle with using the website or learning in English.” - NHPR
Families in Transition expanding on success of monthly resource fair at homeless shelter
“Families in Transition (FIT) will be expanding on its monthly resource fair held at the 199 Manchester St. shelter. The initiative began in 2022 and has grown to feature 20 organization serving more than 100 shelter individuals each month, FIT announced on Wednesday.” - Manchester Ink Link
GRANITE GOSSIP
Positive content about NH
New Hampshire Business Review: Down to Business — 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 204: Community-Based Banking: This week, our guest is Tim Wade, regional president for M&T Bank, who speaks on the lending environment for small businesses, partnering with area nonprofits to help fund housing developments and more.”
City of Dover, NH: Dover Download - Dover Download is a weekly look at what's happening in the City of Dover, New Hampshire, hosted by Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker.
Dealers Are Not Doctors: Youth to Youth Takes a Stand: This episode covers Dover’s “Youth to Youth program, initiated by the Dover Police Department over 30 years ago, empowers young people to address substance abuse issues in their community. The program involves various activities, including summer camps, after-school teams, and advocacy efforts.”
GRANITE GREATNESS
Human Interest & Our Favorite Stories
'GrandFest' offers multi-generational memories
“With the start of school just days away, a festival held in the Manchester Millyard on Thursday offered families a chance to make cherished memories, and have some fun. ‘GrandFest’ welcomed grandparents and their grandkids to enjoy free admission at two very different museums housed in the same converted mill building: the Manchester Historic Association’s Millyard Museum and SEE Science Center.”
“This was the first event of its kind, but it won’t be the last, organizers said.” - Union Leader
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