Project Summary of
Community Development Block Grants
Administered by Southwest Region Planning Commission

 
Economic Development

Marlborough:
The Mountain Corp. / Tree-Free Greetings, Inc, Expansion Project
CDBG Award: $700,000  (Grant Period: 10/02 to 12/05)
Total Project Budget: $1,900,000
Subrecipient:  Monadnock Economic Development Corp (MEDC)

Project Description:    A loan from MEDC will assist The Mountain Corp. and Tree-Free Greetings, Inc. to purchase an existing industrial building in Keene, contributing to the expansion of these two business. The companies will create 35 new jobs, 25 filled by workers from low/moderate income households.

Rindge:
FAMM Steel, Inc, Expansion Project
CDBG Award: $340,000 (Grant Period: 7/01 to 12/02)
(Total Project Budget: $4,440,000)
Subrecipient:  Monadnock Business Ventures (MBV)

Project Description:    A loan from MBV will assist FAMM Steel, Inc. to purchase a new saw drill production line, contributing to the expansion of this structural steel fabrication business. The company will create 17 new jobs, 11 filled by workers from low/moderate income households.

Walpole:
North Walpole Infrastructure Project
CDBG Award: $303,400 (Grant Period: 6/99 to 6/00)
(Total Project Budget:    $ 700,000+ )

Project Description:    This project replaced an existing water line on Main St., and installed a new line running under the railroad to connect with an existing line on Church St. The increased water flow capacity helped the Len-Tex Corporation to meet State Fire Codes, and allowed the company to expand, retaining 10 jobs and creating 11 new jobs, a total of 13 of which were filled by low/moderate income persons.

Cheshire County:
Benson Woodworking Co. Expansion Project
CDBG Award: $340,000 (Grant Period: 11/99 to 10/00)
(Total Project Budget: $2,915,250)
Subrecipient:  Monadnock Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

Project Description:    A loan from MEDC assisted Benson Woodworking Co. (BWC) with its expansion plan to build a new manufacturing facility in Walpole.  BWC designs and builds timber-framed buildings.   The company created 21 new jobs, 13 filled by workers from low/moderate income households.

Jaffrey:
New England Wood Pellet, Expansion Project
CDBG Award: $130,000 (Grant Period: 5/95 to 7/97)
(Total Project Budget: $400,000)
Subrecipient:  Keene Industrial Development Corporation (KIDC)

Project Description:    This project assisted New England Wood Pellet, Inc. (NEWP) in the purchase of new equipment to increase its capacity to manufacture and distribute a quality wood pellet fuel for burning in residential wood pellet stoves.   The company created 14 new jobs, of which 10 were filled by persons from low/moderate income households.

Hinsdale:
Clear Solutions Expansion Project
CDBG Award: $190,000 (Grant Period:  7/94 to 12/95)
(Total Project Budget: $750,000)
Subrecipient:  Keene Industrial Development Corporation (KIDC)

Project Description:    This project involved the relocation of Clear Solutions, Inc. from Greenfield, MA to Hinsdale, but the grant was closed out early as the company found it did not need a loan for the purchase and installation of equipment.

Swanzey:
MedCare, Inc. Expansion Project
CDBG Award: $500,000 (Grant Period:  6/94 to 12/97)
(Total Project Budget:    $ 1,800,000 )
Subrecipient:  Keene Industrial Development Corporation (KIDC)

Project Description:    A loan from KIDC to MedCare, Inc. for renovations and improvements to its manufacturing facility helped the company retain 40 existing jobs, and create 10 new full time jobs.  Twenty-eight of the jobs were filled by persons from low/moderate income households.

Walpole:
Len-Tex, Inc. Expansion Project
CDBG Award: $120,000 (Grant Period:   7/92 to 12/93)
(Total Project Budget: $810,000)
Subrecipient:  Keene Industrial Development Corporation (KIDC)

Project Description:  This project involved a loan from KIDC to Len-Tex, Inc. for renovations and site improvements to a wall coverings manufacturing facility.  Twelve new full-time jobs were created, of which 10 were filled by persons from low/moderate income households.

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Public Facilities Projects

Winchester:
Snow Road Infrastructure Upgrade Project
CDBG Award: $256,200 (Grant Period: 12/02 to 6/04)
(Total Project Budget: $ 282,075)

Project Description: Extending municipal sewer service and replacing approximately 2000 feet of aging and substandard water mains in a residential neighborhood in Winchester.

Cheshire County:
Reuse of Historic Mill Buildings
CDBG Award: $90,000 (Grant Period: 12/01 to 6/03)
(Total Project Budget: $ 360,000)
Subrecipient: Keene Housing Authority (KHA)

Project Description: Rehabilitation of two historic brick mill buildings for use as a Congregate Resource Center for residents of KHA’s Harper Acres elderly housing development.

Troy:
Head Start Daycare Center
CDBG Award: $501,507 (Grant Period: 12/01 to 6/03)
(Total Project Budget: $ 631,507)
Subrecipient: Southwestern Community Services, Inc. (SCS)

Project Description: The proposed construction of a 4,000 square foot Head Start and Daycare Center adjacent to the Troy Elementary School was canceled due to decreased enrollment.

Winchester:
Maple St. Neighborhood Water Line
CDBG Award: $322,665 (Grant Period: 1/00 to 6/01)
(Total Project Budget: $ 322,665)

Project Description: Replacement of approximately 2000 feet of aging and substandard water mains in a residential neighborhood in downtown Winchester.

Cheshire County
Keene Housing Authority Family Activity Center
CDBG Award: $133,000 (Grant Period: 3/98 to 6/99)
(Total Project Budget: $ 133,000)
Subrecipient: Keene Housing Authority (KHA)

Project Description: The Family Activity Center provides a classroom and meeting space at KHA’s North and Gilsum St. complex, used for after-school activities, computer training, and other education and counseling programs.

Swanzey:
Head Start Center
CDBG Award: $350,000 (Grant Period: 3/98 to 6/99)
(Total Project Budget: $ 478,077)
Subrecipient: Southwestern Community Services, Inc. (SCS)

Project Description: Acquisition of a site in West Swanzey area and construction of a new Head Start Center serving up to eighteen (18) children from low/moderate income families.

Walpole:
Access Improvements to Town Hall & Library
CDBG Award: $ 40,000 (Grant Period: 3/98 to 6/99)
(Total Project Budget: $ 85,000)

Project Description: Construction of an outside ramp for access to Town Hall and an accessible entrance and bathroom at the Bridge Memorial Library.

Marlborough:
Water-line Extension Project
CDBG Award: $ 290,000 (Grant Period: 3/97 to 12/98)
(Total Project Budget: $ 462,000 )

Project Description: The Town installed a pump station to supply Mountain View Mobile Home Park with municipal water. The project included acquisition of easements through properties connecting the reservoir and the park. The water line was extended up to the park's property line, where the owner, in turn, connected the line to a completely updated water system within the park. Improvements to a nearby fire pond and hydrant were also included in the project.

Cheshire County:
Handicapped Access Initiative Project
CDBG Award: $ 220,000 (Grant Period: 6/96 to 6/98)
(Total Project Budget: $ 387,000 )
Subrecipient: Various municipalities and schools within Cheshire County

Project Description: As a direct result of the 1995 Cheshire County ADA/504 Pilot Project awarded SWRPC, the County set a goal of supporting construction of elderly and handicapped access to existing municipal and public school buildings and public property located in within its boundaries. The County subgranted funds to communities and public schools on a 1:1 matching basis to make existing public buildings and programs more accessible. In exchange for this assistance, each public entity developed a survey of its properties and programs, created an ADA/504 Transition Plan and appointed a Compliance Coordinator to oversee future issues related to access.

Cheshire County:
Handicapped Access Initiative Project Phase II
CDBG Award: $88,000 (Grant Period: 7/97 to 12/98)
(Total Project Budget: $ 177,100)
Subrecipient: Various municipalities and schools within Cheshire County

Project Description: A continuation of the earlier grant to fund projects identified by the Pilot Project but which were not able to be implemented because the Phase I grant application was only partially funded.

Walpole:
Drewsville Head Start & Affordable Housing Project
CDBG Award: $ 350,000 (Grant Period: 7/95 to 6/97)
(Total Project Budget: $1,100,000 )
Subrecipient: Drewsville Carriage House Associates, L.P. (SCS)

Project Description: This project rehabilitated the historic "Drewsville Mansion" and Carriage House in the Village of Drewsville into a Head Start Center for 17 children of low/moderate income households and five affordable apartments. This property has been admitted to the National Register of Historic Places, and both Historic and Low Income Housing tax credits were combined with the CDBG funding.

Winchester
Ashuelot Head Start Project
CDBG Award: $ 191,743 (Grant Period: 7/93 to 6/95)
(Total Project Budget: $ 275,000 )
Subrecipient: Southwestern Community Services, Inc. (SCS)

Project Description: This project involved the conversion of a barn in the Village of Ashuelot into a Head Start Center for 20 children from low/moderate income households. It also included the rehabilitation of an attached multifamily apartment building. (See Housing Projects )

Rindge
Monadnock Park Co-op Infrastructure Project
CDBG Award: $ 350,000 (Grant Period: 7/93 to 12/94)
(Total Project Budget: $ 350,000 )
Subrecipient: Monadnock Park Cooperative

Project Description: This project provided for infrastructure improvements, including new septic systems and water system upgrades to the Monadnock Tenants Cooperative manufactured housing park in Rindge.

Marlborough
Mt. View Mobile Home Park Sewer Ext. Project.
CDBG Award: $ 189,000 (Grant Period: 8/92 to 11/93)
(Total Project Budget: $ 367,538 )
Subrecipient: Mountain View Mobile Home Park

Project Description: This project extended the town's sewer line to Mountain View Mobile Home Park and connected thirty-five manufactured homes to the municipal sewer system.

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Housing Projects

Alstead
Alstead Senior Housing Project
CDBG Award: $ 700,000 (Grant Period: 6/02 to 6/05)
(Total Project Budget: $ 2,875,000)
Subrecipient: Southwestern Community Services, Inc.

Project Description: This two-year project will construct twenty apartment units near Alstead Village affordable to low income seniors. Services will be provided to residents through an active senior meals program nearby.

Winchester
South Parrish Road Coop Infrastructure Project
CDBG Award: $207,580 (Grant Period: 12/00 to 6/02)
(Total Project Budget: $ 415,160)
Subrecipient: South Parrish Road Cooperative Mobile Home Park

Project Description: This project will upgrade water lines, replace failing septic systems, and install a cistern and hydrant for fire protection in the resident-owned park.

Rindge
Monadnock Tenants Coop Infrastructure Project
CDBG Award: $350,000 (Grant Period: 12/00 to 6/02)
(Total Project Budget: $ 350,000)
Subrecipient: Monadnock Tenants Cooperative Mobile Home Park

Project Description: This project will upgrade water storage, pumping and distribution systems, install a shared septic system for 8 homes, and improve drainage and roads within the resident-owned park.

Cheshire County
Housing Rehabilitation Project
CDBG Award: $ 350,000  (Grant Period: 6/00 to 12/01)
(Total Project Budget: $ 1,400,000 )

Project Description: Fifty homes owned or occupied by low-to moderate-income residents will be renovated to meet health and safety codes. CDBG funds are matched 3:1 with funding through Southwestern Community Services, Inc.

Troy
Troy Senior Housing Project
CDBG Award: $ 700,000 (Grant Period: 12/98 to 6/00)
(Total Project Budget: $ 1,795,000)
Subrecipient: Troy Senior Housing Associates Limited Partnership

Project Description: This two-year project combines new construction with rehabilitation of two historic buildings at the southern end of the Town Common, to create fifteen apartments affordable to low income seniors. Supportive services will be provided to residents on site.

Winchester
Elm Street Cooperative Infrastructure Project
CDBG Award: $350,000 (Grant Period: 12/98 to 6/00)
(Total Project Budget: $ 350,000)
Subrecipient: Elm Street Cooperative Mobile Home Park

Project Description: This project will replace aging water lines, and improve drainage and roads within the resident-owned park.

Cheshire County:
Keene East Side Senior Housing Project
CDBG Award: $ 975,000 (Grant Period: 7/98 to 12/99)
(Total Project Budget: $ 2,995,000)
Subrecipient: Keene East Side Senior Housing Associates Limited Partnership

Project Description: This two-year project will rehabilitate the historic Beaver Mill Building to create thirty apartments affordable to low income seniors. Supportive services will be provided to residents on site.

Jaffrey
Jaffrey Affordable Housing Project
CDBG Award: $ 280,000 (Grant Period: 3/97 to 6/98)
(Total Project Budget: $1,000,000 )
Subrecipient: Southwestern Community Services (SCS)

Project Description: This project involved the acquisition and rehabilitation of 12 apartments in the center of Jaffrey. Two of the three buildings were renovated, and the third was demolished and a duplex erected in its place. The resulting 9 housing units are to be kept affordable to low/moderate income households for a minimum of twenty years.

Cheshire County
Transitional Housing Rehabilitation Project
CDBG Award: $ 150,000  (Grant Period: 3/97 to 6/98)
(Total Project Budget: $ 150,000 )
Subrecipient: Cheshire Housing Trust (CHT)

Project Description: CHT renovated four residential buildings, and converted a garage at a Transitional Shelter, into a multi-purpose meeting/class room for delivery of needed services. All beneficiaries must meet low/moderate income guidelines.

Walpole
North Walpole Affordable Housing Project
CDBG Award: $ 350,000 (Grant Period: 7/95 to 12/96)
(Total Project Budget: $ 1,220,000 )
Subrecipient: North Walpole Village Housing Associates, L. P. (SCS)

Project Description: This project involved the acquisition and rehabilitation of 16 apartments in the Village of North Walpole, with all units to be rented to low/moderate income households.

Troy
Troy Affordable Housing Project
CDBG Award: $ 350,000 (Grant Period: 7/94 to 12/98)
(Total Project Budget: $ 1,140,000 )
Subrecipient: Troy Common Associates L. P. (SCS)

Project Description: This project involved the acquisition and rehabilitation of 12 apartments to be rented to low/moderate income households. The project included considerable restoration work as the NH Division of Historic Resources found the three apartment buildings to have historic significance in relation to Troy’s Common.

Sullivan
Sullivan Housing Rehabilitation Project
CDBG Award: $ 350,000 (Grant Period: 7/94 to 12/96)
(Total Project Budget: $ 480,000 )
Subrecipient: Town of Sullivan

Project Description: This project provided direct housing rehabilitation assistance to 20 low/moderate income households in the Town of Sullivan. The total project budget included leveraged funds from other sources to adequately address code and health related requirements.

Marlborough
Marlborough Affordable Housing Project
CDBG Award: $ 320,000 (Grant Period: 7/93 to 6/95)
(Total Project Budget: $ 620,000 )
Subrecipient: Cheshire Housing Trust (CHT)

Project Description: This project involved the acquisition and rehabilitation of ten apartment units to be rented to low/moderate households. Similar to the Troy AH project, considerable care was needed to protect the historic integrity of the buildings.

Winchester
Ashuelot Affordable Housing Project
Town’s Program Income: $ 24,000 (Grant Period: 7/93 to 12/94)
(Total Project Budget: $ 24,000 )
Subrecipient: Southwestern Community Services (SCS)

Project Description: Using Program Income from a previous CDBG project, the Town of Winchester granted funds to SCS to complete renovations on a five unit apartment building in Ashuelot. The housing rehabilitation was phase I of a larger CDBG project: Ashuelot Head Start Center. (see Public Facilities)

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Feasibility Studies

Winchester
Snow Road Infrastructure Upgrade Feasibility Study
CDBG Award: $12,000 (Grant Period: 6/02 to 6/03)
(Total Project Budget: $ 13,000 )

Project Description: The study will assess deficiencies in the water distribution system on Snow Road, and create prelminary designs and cost estimates for replacing water lines, extending sewer service, improving drainage and upgrading the road.

Walpole
Water System Improvements Feasibility Study
CDBG Award: $ 12,000 (Grant Period: 6/00 to 6/01)
(Total Project Budget: $ 12,000 )

Project Description: The study identified and evaluated alternatives for treating the high levels of manganese and radon found in the North Walpole Village system, and for addressing other deficiencies in the water system. The study provided cost estimates, prioritized needs based on health and safety risks, and conducted an income survey of water system users.

Peterborough
Gates Mill Affordable Housing Feasibility Study
CDBG Award: $ 12,000 (Grant Period: 5/99 to 6/2000)
(Total Project Budget: $ 12,000 )

Project Description: The study will evaluate the building’s condition, and feasibility of converting it to affordable apartments. Cost estimates will be developed for any suggested improvements.

Winchester
Water System Improvements Feasibility Study
CDBG Award: $ 12,000 (Grant Period: 4/98 to 12/98)
(Total Project Budget: $ 12,000 )

Project Description: The study identified and evaluated alternatives for addressing deficiencies in the municipal water system, and prepared cost estimates, prioritized needs based on health and safety risks, and conducted an income survey of water system users.

Gilsum
Municipal Sewage Disposal Alternatives Analysis
CDBG Award: $ 11,000 (Grant Period: 7/97 to 6/98)
(Total Project Budget: $ 12,000 )

Project Description:  The study examined the feasibility of a municipal sewage system for the village, defined the specific needs for such a system and presented alternatives and cost estimates.

Troy
Community Center Feasibility Study
CDBG Award: $ 12,000 (Grant Period: 4/97 to 12/97)
(Total Project Budget: $ 13,000 )

Project Description: This study examined the feasibility of constructing a community center. A potential site was identified and conceptual plans and cost estimates created and coordinated with other redevelopment goals and efforts in the village center.

Marlborough
Housing Feasibility Study
CDBG Award: $ 10,000 (Grant Period: 7/92 to 9/93)
(Total Project Budget: $ 10,000 )
Subrecipient: Cheshire Housing Trust (CHT)

Project Description: This study evaluated the availability of affordable housing in the Town of Marlborough. The Study findings ultimately led to an Affordable Housing Project through Cheshire Housing Trust.

Rindge
Monadnock Park Co-op Improve. Feasibility Study
CDBG Award: $ 9,000 (Grant Period: 7/92 to 12/93)
(Total Project Budget: $ 9,000 )

Project Description: This study evaluated the need for infrastructure improvements to the Monadnock Park Cooperative manufactured housing park in the Town of Rindge.

Sullivan
Sullivan Housing Rehabilitation Feasibility Study
CDBG Award: $ 10,000 (Grant Period: 7/92 to 12/93)
(Total Project Budget: $ 10,000 )

Project Description: This feasibility study evaluated the availability of affordable housing in the Town of Sullivan and led to the successful Sullivan Housing Rehabilitation grant.

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Pilot Projects

Cheshire County
Cheshire County ADA Pilot Project
CDBG Award: $ 12,000 (Grant Period: 7/95 to 12/95)
(Total Project Budget: $ 12,000 )
Subrecipient: Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC)

Project Description: This project evaluated the need for elderly/handicapped access improvements to public facilities within the participating municipalities of Cheshire County. The Planning Commission worked closely with staff from such agencies as the US Justice Department, the NH Governor’s Commission on Disability, and the NH Division of Historical Resources. The results of the Pilot Project lead to a successful implementation grant application. (See Public Facilities)

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Emergency Grants

Town of Jaffrey
Emergency Grant (Public Facilities)
CDBG Award: $ 35,570 (Grant Period: 07/01/92 to 06/30/93)
Subrecipient: Duval Mobile Home Park

Project Description: This grant provided for the replacement of a failed septic system.

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Disaster Recovery Grants

New Hampshire received a special appropriation to the CDBG program after storm events in 1998 prompted two Presidential Disaster Declarations. Specific disaster recovery criteria were applied to these projects in addition to the typical CDBG program requirements.

Winchester
Back Ashuelot Road Disaster Recovery Grant (Public Facilities)
(Grant Period: 12/00 to 06/02) CDBG Award: $ 183,302

Project Description: This grant provided for the extending a municipal water line, upgrading of seven culverts, and repaving of approximately 3000 feet of road that had been damaged by run-off.

Cheshire County
Hazard Mitigation Planning Disaster Recovery Grant (Public Facilities)
(Grant Period: 06/01 to 12/02) CDBG Award: $ 14,185

Project Description: This project will identify and locate facilities vulnerable to potential hazards in the Ashuelot River watershed. This information will be entered into Regional Risk Analysis Database to serve as the basis for future hazard mitigation planning.

Town of Hinsdale CDBG Award: $ 6,433
Town of Swanzey CDBG Award: $ 6,952
Town of Winchester CDBG Award: $ 8,005
Hazard Mitigation Planning Disaster Recovery Grant (Public Facilities)
(Grant Period: 06/01 to 12/02)

Project Description: This series of projects identified and ranked potential hazards in each town, and input this data into the a Regional Risk Analysis database which was then used to create individual All-Hazards Mitigation Plans tailored to each town.

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