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The North Country Council is looking to expand our photo library and include images captured by YOU! Click the button below to complete a short form and upload an image file for us to feature in a future newsletter, use on social media, or other use by the Council and credit given to you!
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Wednesday, October 23rd
4 pm- 6 pm
At the AHEAD conference room, Mt Eustis Commons | 262 Cottage Street, Littleton
Guest Presentation - Complete Streets in Rural Communities
Brett Allphin, Senior Program Manager & Krishna Kunapareddy, Program Manager from National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) will explore the Complete Streets approach and how it works for rural communities. North Country Council will host the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), sharing their nationwide experiences in planning, designing, and building safer and accessible streets for all users in rural communities.
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North Country Council, in preparation for applying for a future round of EPA Brownfield Assessment funds, reached out to the UConn Technical Assistance for Brownfields Program and was selected to receive support in conducting an inventory of potential Brownfield sites within our region.
What is a Brownfield?
Brownfields are contaminated properties that people think might be contaminated due to history or past use. They can be vacant lots, closed industrial properties, condemned homes, closed or abandoned garages, or gas stations—the list goes on. A brownfield is an underutilized property with an actual or perceived barrier to redevelopment.
If you have or know of a property that is contaminated or has perceived contamination that is a barrier to expansion, redevelopment, or reuse, you can click below to learn more. Completing the form in the link does not obligate the property, you, or the municipality to do anything. It just gives us an idea of the needs in our region to support a future EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant application.
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Economic Development Webinar Series:
Engaging the Aging Workforce
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CEDS Priority List Update | |
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Hello Community and Economic Development Partners!
It's that time of year again: the North Country Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Priority Project lists is being updated! The North Country CEDS Committee annually assess existing and potential projects and initiatives in the region that will promote economic development. To facilitate this assessment, we ask out partners (municipalities, private firms, non-profits, and community organizations) to submit their projects and initiatives to the CEDS Committee. The CEDS Committee then reviews these projects and compiles the final Priority Project List. The CEDS Committee is then authorized to submit letters of recommendation when the project is applying for federal or state funding, especially funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. To collect these projects, we ask that folks complete a Priority Project Form.
Local governments, private firms, non-profits, and community-based organizations are invited to submit projects at any stage. From initial ideas to shovel-ready efforts, we want to hear about any project that will continue to strengthen the regional economy and grow a resilient North Country. While all projects are encouraged to submit this form in order to connect with the North Country CEDS Committee, all projects seeking EDA (Economic Development Administration) funding must be complete this Priority Project Form.
It is never too early to submit a project to the North Country CEDS Committee for support! But in order to be considered for the annual vote of the North Country CEDS, please submit your project through the Priority Project Form by October 31st. You do not need to know every detail of your project to submit the form.
Questions?
We are here to help! If you have questions about the Priority Project Form, or how your project aligns with the region's economic development strategy in general, contact Angela Cleveland, Community & Economic Development Planner for North Country Council at acleveland@nccouncil.org or 603-444-6303 ext. 2031.
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2024 Week Without Driving
September 30 - October 6
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It's not too late to participate in #WeekWithoutDriving. This challenge invites us to experience the everyday realities of those who, by circumstance or choice, do not drive. Nearly one-third of people in the United States, including individuals with disabilities, young people, seniors, and those who cannot afford associated costs of car ownership, navigate their lives without personal vehicles.
Ever wondered what life is like without a car? Join the Week Without Driving and experience the daily reality of millions who rely on walking, transit, and other modes of transportation.
Use the button below to officially sign up for the challenge, or simply consider your driving trips and if any can be completed by another form of travel.
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FHWA Opens Applications for National Scenic Byways Program Grants | |
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The Federal Highway Administration is now accepting applications for its 2024 National Scenic Byways Program grant. This program may be of interest to towns along New Hampshire's designated scenic byways. This funding must be applied for with NHDOT, as only DOTs and Indian tribes are eligible to submit applications. If your town may be interested, contact North Country Council's Transportation Planner Nick Altonaga.
Eligible projects include planning, designing, and developing scenic byway programs.
Applications must be submitted electronically via grants.gov by 11:59 pm ET on December 16, 2024. To help guide applicants, FHWA's Office of Planning, Environment, and Real Estate will host a public webinar on October 10, 2024, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm ET. Registration is required, and a recording of the session will be available on the NSBP website afterward. For more details on the grant application process, visit the National Scenic Byways Program website.
To apply for the webinar: Webinar Registration - Zoom (zoomgov.com)
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Commute Smart NH
Buses, Bikes, & Brooms Challenge
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From October 1st through the 31st, log any sustainable trip you take using a mode other than driving in a vehicle alone.
In contrast to the Spring Statewide Challenge the Buses, Bikes & Brooms Challenge is individually based - so you can earn all the bragging rights in your office. The challenge is logged using the online system powered by AgileMile! You can join, log trips, and earn rewards on the web or in the CommuteSmart New Hampshire app that is available for download in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store
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This year marks the 28th annual Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day. This day helps assess safe school routes and encourages exercise. This year there are 9 events registered, in the North Country Region there are 2 registered: Conway and Lin-Wood.
Any school can register for an event to help foster different ways and safe ways for students and families to get to and from school. Click the button below to learn more or register your school today!
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Contact Nicholas Altonaga, Transportation Planner, at naltonaga@nccouncil.org if you have any questions or want to learn more. | |
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & RESILIENCY | |
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Has your town's Planning Board considered adopting or updating a Master Plan? Not sure where to start? This resource if for you!
Council staff have made this introductory overview of Master Plans and how the council can support your community to make or amend their own plan. If your community is considering Mastering Planning work, please reach out to North Country Council at info@nccouncil.org
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Carroll Master Plan Open House | |
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The town of Carroll hosted an Open House Master Plan meeting on September 25th where residents and municipal stakeholders gave insight on what they want the future of their town to look like and become.
Along with the Open House, the town is conducting a Master Plan Survey for residents to complete. The survey contains questions ranging from transportation, housing, recreation, economic development, and more!
Residents of the Town of Carroll (Twin Mountain & Bretton Woods) are encouraged to complete the survey. Your opinions and voices are a valued part of the Master Plan Development process.
Click the button below to complete the survey online or visit the Town Hall located at 92 School Street where paper copies are available.
Image Description: Carroll Town Hall meeting room set up with tables for departments, featured table has a map of Carroll and questions to engage those in attendance.
Image Credit: Taylor Roy, North Country Council
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Our region is a haven for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and tourism in general. In fact, the North Country contains 75% of the outdoor recreation land within New Hampshire. With natural capital in abundance in the region, it is important to balance supply and demand in an effort to protect our natural resources and quality of life. Practices in sustainable tourism, local stewardship activities, and consistent messaging to visitors are critical aspects to preserving the environment of the region. | |
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Visit the North Country Climate Resiliency Hub Outdoor Recreation page to learn more through success stories, case studies, and resources for individuals, businesses, and communities.
Image Credit: White Mountain Images, Chris Whiton Photography
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Where should you start?
North Country Council can help you connect to and navigate various federal, state, local, and foundation opportunities to find the right fit for your project and community.
Our staff has experience in programs such as USDA, CDBG, EDA, and NBRC. Our team's experience with project development, grant writing, and grant administration or compliance with federal grant regulations can help drive your project toward success.
Reach out today!
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