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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Awards Eight NBRC Communities Through Outdoor Recreation Program

Today the Northern Border Regional Commission is celebrating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcement that 25 small and rural communities from across the country will receive assistance to grow their outdoor recreation economies through the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program. 

“Outdoor recreation represents a tremendous economic opportunity for rural communities. By strengthening the ties between local businesses and recreational assets, this collaboration will elevate the economies of rural places across the NBRC region,” said Chris Saunders, Federal Co-Chair of the Northern Border Regional Commission.   

The full press release can be viewed on the EPA website: EPA Partners with Rural Communities to Strengthen Outdoor Recreation Economy, Make America Beautiful Again

The following communities in the NBRC region are among those selected to receive assistance through the RERC program:

MAINE

Town of Dover-Foxcroft  | Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
The Town of Dover-Foxcroft, ME and partners want to tap into the growing outdoor recreation economy to boost employment opportunities for residents, revitalize their main street, and make Dover-Foxcroft a destination for visitors. Through their RERC project, they hope to improve pedestrian and bike amenities; enhance access to the river and other nearby outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors; connect small businesses with opportunities to develop around the outdoor recreation economy; and support workforce development and improve health outcomes for residents. This project will consider concerns around flooding, wildfire, and decreasing snowfall, all of which affect the recreation economy, and will build upon previous investments in brownfield site assessment, clean up, and redevelopment.

Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments  |  Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls, Maine
The three communities – along with the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and community partners – are promoting the region as a hub for outdoor recreation and agritourism, and engaging community members to lead the shift towards an outdoor recreation economy after a period of economic decline. This project will also incorporate navigating solutions to concerns about impacts from historical mill activities, flooding, wildfire, and a decrease in snowfall.

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Town of Newport  |  Newport, New Hampshire
The Town of Newport, NH and partners want to connect Newport’s main street with nearby outdoor recreation assets, including a rail trail, and market and brand downtown as a destination for visitors. Through their RERC project, they hope to boost economic opportunity for residents; revitalize main street and improve walkability, wayfinding, and public spaces; and connect to broader regional trail systems and other efforts around outdoor recreation. This project will take into consideration flooding concerns and the conservation of sensitive ecosystems.

 

VERMONT

Town of Johnson  |  Johnson, Vermont
The Town of Johnson, VT and partners want to capitalize on their location adjacent to the longest rail trail in New England and to increase flood resilience and recovery following historic floods in 2023. Through their RERC project, they hope to connect the rail trail to the village center; ensure that residents have access to affordable housing, jobs, and outdoor recreation amenities; and promote economic development opportunities for local businesses on main street, all while enhancing community resilience. This project will address recovery from the 2023 flood and will help the community plan for long term economic recovery and resilience.

Newport Downtown Development  |  Newport, Vermont
Newport Downtown Development and partners want to develop a cohesive strategy for a four-seasons recreation economy in Newport that serves both residents’ and visitors’ needs. Through their RERC project, they hope to develop downtown amenities and outdoor recreation offerings to attract visitors; ensure affordable housing, jobs, and access to outdoor recreation for residents; and foster downtown redevelopment to make it an attractive economic and commercial hub for residents and visitors. This project will take into consideration water quality concerns, particularly around lake pollution; frequent flooding; and decreasing snowfall, all of which impact the recreation economy.

 

NEW YORK

City of Fulton  |  Fulton, New York
The City of Fulton, NY and partners want to tie together recreational assets in downtown Fulton and the surrounding area while enhancing quality of life and economic opportunity for residents. Through their RERC project, they hope to revitalize main street; engage community members, including young people and seniors, in planning for Fulton’s future; and make Fulton a vibrant destination that offers recreational, cultural, and educational activities that will bring visitors and residents to Fulton and its businesses. This project will take into consideration brownfield site assessment, clean up, and redevelopment and water quality concerns with lakes and rivers.

Hamilton County  |  Hamilton County, New York
Hamilton County, NY and partners want to create a shared vision for outdoor recreation for communities in the county as they seek to tap into the growing outdoor recreation economy. Through their RERC project, they hope to connect communities throughout the county through trails; revitalize main streets and expand amenities and offerings for residents and visitors; leverage greater economic activity for local businesses; and plan ahead for future community needs around housing, infrastructure, and lodging for visitors. This project will take into consideration issues around the overuse of outdoor recreation assets and decreasing snowfall, which impact the recreation economy, and will plan for sustainability and stewardship in managing natural resources.

Town of Jay  |  Jay, New York
The Town of Jay, NY and partners want to revitalize main street and leverage the growing outdoor recreation economy while planning ahead for workforce housing, transportation, and the stewardship and restoration of natural assets. Through their RERC project, they hope to provide jobs, housing, shops, and amenities for residents and visitors; implement promotion, branding, wayfinding to draw visitors to the area; manage and build new trails and a recently-acquired Forest Preserve for the benefit of the community; and ensure that outdoor amenities are accessible by all, including young people and seniors. This project will take into consideration issues such as flooding, water quality, and habitat restoration.