September 13, 2022
(Washington, DC) – US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee which funds the Economic Development Administration (EDA), along with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Reps. Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) applauded the EDA’s announcement that the agency is providing a $2 grant. $.2 million to the Mount Washington Valley Trails Association in North Conway to build a 2.2-mile multi-use recreational trail that will bring additional visitors to the area. This project is funded through the EDA’s competitive $240 million American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program.
This project will boost tourism by extending an existing path between North Cranmore Mountain Resort and Intervale Scenic Vista. The EDA investment will be matched with $989,985 in local funds and is expected to create 30 jobs, maintain 15 jobs and generate $70 million in private investment, according to recipient estimates.
“This latest grant from the Economic Development Administration reaffirms how essential the agency is to communities like North Conway, providing important federal investments to start or improve local projects,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “This funding will do just that by building a recreational trail for Granite Staters and visitors from everywhere to explore and take in the beauty of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. This is a victory for our tourist economy and for the region. I will continue to fight for funds to support the efforts of EDA, which so often benefit exciting Granite State projects like this.
“Outdoor recreation is an essential part of the New Hampshire way of life and helps fuel our economy. I’m thrilled to see those federal dollars I helped secure heading to the Mount Washington Valley to expand our trails,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “This project will attract visitors, create jobs, support small businesses and boost tourism and the region’s economy. I can’t wait to see it come to fruition. »
“Outdoor recreation brings billions of dollars to the New Hampshire economy each year, boosting our local small businesses and creating jobs. These trail infrastructure funds will make the Mount Washington Valley an even more attractive place to visit, recreate, and do business,” said Rep. Chris Pappas. “I will always support our communities in finding new opportunities that will drive economic development and improve quality of life.
“The outdoor recreation and tourism industries are critical to the economic vitality of New Hampshire communities,” said Rep. Kuster. “Investing in Granite State trails will help bring more visitors to our state, create jobs and grow our economy.”
“President Biden recognizes the vital contribution that the travel and tourism industry makes to the American economy,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said. “This EDA investment underscores the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to helping this critical sector not only recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but to build back stronger and more fairly for the future. coming.”
“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to partner with the Mount Washington Valley Trails Association in its local efforts to leverage its tourism industry to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will improve the visitor experience in North Conway, while paving the way for job creation and more tourism-based economic development.”
As Chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen oversees EDA funding. In government funding legislation for fiscal year 2023 that her subcommittee released earlier this year, Senator Shaheen included $450 million for the EDA. This level represents an increase of $76.5 million over the previous year. Shaheen has previously opposed efforts by the Trump administration to cut or eliminate funding for the EDA, which recently provided grants to Granite State communities for a wide variety of projects.
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