U.S. Rep Annie Kuster

HOPKINTON – U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster (NH-02), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Peter Welch (VT-AL), and Chellie Pingree (ME-01) wrote to leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of continued funding for the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) as Congress works to fund the government beyond September. In July, the House passed appropriations legislation that included NBRC provisions championed by these members–funding NBRC at $25 million for the 2021 fiscal year and stripping the 20% matching fund requirement for NBRC grantees in light of the financial hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this letter, the members urge appropriators to ensure any stop gap measure is consistent with these provisions.

“While the Commission has made great progress promoting economic development and job growth in our communities, continued federal investment in the NBRC is critical to sustaining its efforts,” the members wrote. “The NBRC is a strategic use of taxpayer dollars and leverages significant private capital for projects in our states. It is clear that we need to be encouraging economic and community development, and we commend the work of the subcommittees for their previous support to this vital program.”

“The [House Appropriations] Committee has recognized that it is imperative to temporarily lift the requirement that applicants to the NBRC provide twenty percent matching funds in order to be considered,” they continued. “In light of the significant economic ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is no longer a reasonable expectation for grant recipients to raise significant capital, especially as traditional sources like municipalities and foundations are strained financially.”

Kuster has been an outspoken advocate for the NBRC since its inception, introducing bipartisan legislation in April to provide additional financial flexibility to the agency. As a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee and Agriculture Committee last Congress, Kuster advocated for the inclusion of language to strengthen and expand the NBRC and has been a leader in the effort to protect the agency, which has been targeted for elimination by President Trump. The NBRC has funded numerous projects championed by Kuster including economic development in downtown Claremont, constructing a new treatment facility at Bethlehem’s Friendship House, and improving water infrastructure in Bethlehem, Colebrook and Whitefield, among others.