The City of Manchester is working on a Healthy Food Access Plan to make it easier to find and afford healthy food in Manchester. To do this, they need to hear from the community!
If you are a Manchester resident, please take 10 minutes to share your experiences and ideas for improving access to healthy food in our community:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/healthyfoodaccesssurvey
The survey is open until October 7, 2022, so please feel free to forward to other Manchester residents. MHD’s goal is to solicit information from residents representative of Manchester’s diversity, including residents from various neighborhoods, cultural backgrounds, and other lived experiences (age, gender, race/ethnicity, etc.).
Manchester, NH – The Southern New Hampshire BioFabrication Cluster proposal, led by the City of Manchester, was selected from over 500 applicants and 60 finalists to be awarded a Phase 2 Build Back Better Grant. Coalition partners include City of Manchester, the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute, the University of New Hampshire, Southern New Hampshire University and Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission. The total award is $56,542,521, bringing $43,999,995 in federal funding from the Economic Development Administration [EDA] to the area with $12,542,521 in matching funds provided by coalition and industry partners.
As Mayor Joyce Craig said, “this is an historic day for the City of Manchester. Through the $44,000,000 awarded to our regional coalition, we’ll not only revolutionize healthcare, but we’ll create thousands of high-paying jobs, and pathways to employment for our residents, regardless of their current level of education or training. Manchester was once the world leader in textile manufacturing, and now, thanks to this investment by the Economic Development Administration, we’ll be the world leader in biofabrication manufacturing as well.”
The goal of this funding is to make Manchester the epicenter of the biofabrication industry, and it builds on previous federal investments in ARMI | BioFab USA. As the manufacturing base in biofabrication grows, a significant portion of the jobs created will be for non-degreed, biofabrication and quality technicians. The coalition’s efforts are estimated to create ~7,000 direct jobs and ~37,250 total jobs across Southern New Hampshire over the next seven years. To make sure residents are not left behind as the industry grows, the largest programmatic funding is allocated to removing barriers and providing pathways to good-paying jobs to local workers, especially those from low-income households, veterans, and other underrepresented or underemployed groups.
“Today is a momentous occasion because this award helps to secure Manchester and the region as the destination for biofabrication,” said Dean Kamen, Executive Director & Chairman of the Board, ARMI. “Together, we are building an industry that will transform the way we deliver health care in this country and around the world.”
“We are thrilled the U.S. Economic Development Administration has chosen the City of Manchester as a Build Back Better regional challenge winner,” said Paul LeBlanc, President and CEO, Southern New Hampshire University. “As Manchester's Millyard moves into its next phase of evolution, SNHU and other higher education partners are committed to making sure everyone in the community has access to high-quality education, workforce training, and family-sustaining jobs to build a more vibrant community for all."
The anchor for spawning the local manufacturing growth in Manchester is a facility that will pilot clinical and commercial manufacturing in one of the renovated mill buildings. This manufacturing capability will support emerging innovations in tissue engineering. Additionally, the BioFab Startup Lab will provide resources including space to emerging startups bringing cell, tissue, and organ therapies to market as well as those commercializing enabling technology across the manufacturing supply chain. Finally, a Vertiport, will be erected at the Manchester Armory for aerial transportation of cells, tissues, and organs to regional clinical sights via electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) planes.
The Build Back Better Regional Challenge [BBBRC] is part of the American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funding administered by the Economic Development Administration within the US Department of Commerce. BBBRC was designed to spur regional economic growth and competitiveness through technology-based development, job creation, capacity building and attracting private investment. These awards are made to help regional economies recover from the pandemic, build economic diversity and resiliency, mitigate impacts of future economic disasters, and benefit residents through creation of high-quality jobs, increased wages, and revitalized communities.
Coalition partners will brief the local community at an upcoming press conference to provide more details on the projects and impact this grant will have on the local economy and workers.
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S.A.F.E.
Join University of New Hampshire Extension’s food safety team for a free online S.A.F.E. food handling workshop for food service workers in schools, restaurants, delis, hospitals, nursing homes, camps and other places that prepare and serve food.
The 2-hour S.A.F.E. program reviews critical food safety and sanitation concepts such as personal hygiene, preventing cross contamination, and controlling time and temperature. S.A.F.E. is a great overview for new employees and the perfect refresher course for more experienced staff.
Wednesday, August 24 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm
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Wednesday, October 26 | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
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Thursday, November 17 | 9:00am - 11:00am
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Thursday, December 1 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
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S.A.F.E. for School Food Service Workers
This class is open to all, but will have a focus on the skills school staff need most.
Wednesday, September 28 | 1:00pm - 3:00pm REGISTER
S.A.F.E. for Food Pantries
This is a free, online, safe food handling workshop for volunteers and managers in food pantries and within the NH Food Bank who only handle pre-packaged food and fresh produce and may handle frozen and refrigerated foods.
Thursday, July 14 | 9:30am - 11:30am
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Thursday, September 15 | 4:00pm - 6:00pm
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Wednesday, November 9 | 9:30am - 11:30am
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REGISTER |
About UNH Cooperative Extension
Extension is at work in every New Hampshire county, making the state's key industries stronger, developing vibrant communities and municipal leaders, fostering healthy families and an informed and engaged citizenry, and keeping the state's natural resources healthy and productive.
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. University of New Hampshire, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and N.H. counties cooperating
Mayor Joyce Craig has named Jeffrey Belanger, AICP as Interim Director of Planning and Community Development and will officially nominate him for the position at the Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting on July 19th. Mr. Belanger previously served as Senior Planner in the City of Manchester’s Planning and Community Development Department.
“Jeff understands the strengths and the needs of our City, and has devoted nearly a decade to this department and to the community,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “He is a thoughtful leader who will work hard to help Manchester look towards the future.”
Pending approval by the Board of Aldermen on August 2nd, Belanger will take over for outgoing director Leon LaFreniere, who recently retired after 39 years within the Department.
“I am honored and grateful for Mayor Craig’s nomination to be the next director of the Manchester Planning and Community Development Department,” said Jeffrey Belanger, Interim Director of Planning and Community Development. “Manchester is the most dynamic city in Northern New England, and the demand to live here and locate businesses here has never been greater. I look forward to working with citizens, business owners, and nonprofits to help meet that demand and make Manchester’s built environment as safe, beautiful, and economically productive as possible.”
The Department of Planning and Community Development provides support to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment and oversees Code Enforcement, the Community Improvement Program, the Lead Paint Program, and other planning initiatives related to the City’s physical design and development.
Jeffrey Belanger holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Colgate University, a law degree from American University, and a master’s degree in urban planning from Harvard University. Prior to joining the Manchester Planning and Community Development Department in 2013, Mr. Belanger practiced law as a law clerk for the New Hampshire Supreme Court, as assistant district counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and as private counsel to municipal clients in New Hampshire.
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The City of Manchester, NH has announced their partnership with Helpsy to offer a free and easy home pickup clothing recycling service for the local community.
As the largest clothing collector in the Northeast, Helpsy partners with municipalities and organizations across 11 states to collect unwanted clothing and other textiles in order to keep clothes out of landfills. In 2021 alone, the company diverted nearly 30 million pounds of textiles from landfills through a combination of clothing drives, home pickups, thrift store partners and clothing receptacles.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, textile waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the United States, occupying nearly 5% of all landfill space, which is why Helpsy is committed to working with cities, such as Manchester, in order to give clothing the longest life possible.
“I appreciate how the Department of Public Works is always looking for innovative ways to expand recycling services for our residents," said Mayor Joyce Craig. "Through this partnership with Helpsy, the city will save money, all residents will be able to conveniently recycle their clothes, shoes, curtains and more, and together we will be protecting the environment."
“The goal is to reuse, recycle, and reduce as much waste as we can; we strive to make this as easy as possible for residents. Partnering with Helpsy enables residents, at no cost, to keep textiles from entering the landfill,” stated Chaz Newton, Solid Waste & Environmental Programs Manager, Department of Public Works.
“Helpsy’s mission is to keep clothes out of the trash,” says Dan Green, Co-Founder and CEO of Helpsy. “We are dedicated to changing the way people think about clothing recycling while adhering to the highest level of social and environmental performance.”
Beginning July 9, pickups in Manchester will take place weekly on Saturdays between 7am-5pm. In order to be recycled, the textiles must be clean, bagged, and labeled. The community can sign up for a pick-up at www.helpsy.co/manchesternh or can call 1-800-244-6350.
For more information about Manchester’s Recycling Programs and Helpsy’s municipal partnerships, the community can contact the City’s Department of Public Works at 603 - 624 - 6444 and can visit www.helpsy.co.
As the 20th town to partner with Helpsy to provide free home pickup service, Manchester is joining Hampton, Exeter, Pembroke, Hooksett, and Bow in making it as easy as possible for residents to responsibly dispose of their unwanted clothing.
ABOUT HELPSY: Helpsy is a Certified B Corp on a mission to radically change the way we think about, dispose of, recycle and buy second hand clothing. Helpsy is shifting perceptions around used clothing by helping reduce the impact that clothing production has on our planet and changing the statistic that 85% of clothes currently end up in the trash.
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Today, Mayor Joyce Craig, Public Health Director Anna Thomas, and Chief Allen Aldenberg announced the launch of the Public Health and Safety Team (PHAST).
PHAST is an American Recovery Plan-funded initiative as a partnership between the Manchester Health Department and the Manchester Police Department which is providing a trained Community Health Worker (CHW) for all twelve wards of the City to address neighborhood level health concerns. In addition, a Senior Services CHW will be added to the team to serve the specialized needs of our frail and aging population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define the scope of a community health worker as a frontline public health worker who is a member of the community who serves and improves the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.
Activities of the CHWs include, but are not limited to:
- Serving as a point of contact, based on mutual trust, for policy makers and residents with neighborhood concerns;
- Coordinating and mobilizing community groups to support neighborhood enhancement, engagement, and advocacy for individual and community needs;
- Connecting residents to available resources to more adequately and appropriately meet their needs;
- Serving as “Violence Interrupters,” an evidence-based approach to violent crime reduction. Under this model, violence is treated like a disease epidemic and can be prevented using health methods. This involves working with police to identify potential conflicts and assist with conflict resolution and mediation (https://cvg.org/); and
- Responds to non-police matters that historically have been routed to police.
This program was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act funding recommendations presented by Mayor Joyce Craig and approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in July of 2021. The program is a key feature of the Gun Violence Reduction Strategy released by Manchester Police Department earlier this month.
“Our Community Health Workers are already contributing so much,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “And now our Public Health and Safety Team will be able to address neighborhood-level concerns in this thoughtful and intentional manner.”
“Starting in 2014 with our Community Schools Initiative, all the way through to COVID-19 response assistance, our CHWs have been problem-solvers and frontline connectors to our community because they are from the community,” said Public Health Director Anna Thomas. “The PHAST team model is pioneering in New Hampshire and this country because it is place-based, covering every Ward and neighborhood in the City with an added layer of connectivity to basic needs not one organization could ever achieve alone.”
“All eight of us are residents of the city,” said Biram Saidybah, Community Health Worker Supervisor. “All of us love the city and are each a trusted member of the communities we serve.”
“These specially trained workers are truly at the intersection of public health and public safety,” added Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “Our collaborative approach with the Health Department is an innovative way to increase safety through focusing on root causes of crime and disorder from a public health perspective. This is an evidence-based approach to solve problems proactively, which will reduce calls to the police and allow all of us to better use resources to serve our community.”
Contact info for the CHWs can be found here.
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Today, Mayor Joyce Craig announced Hannah Chisholm has joined the Manchester Mayor’s Office as Communications Manager.
Hannah will lead all communications efforts from the Office of the Mayor and work with City departments to help better inform the public about city initiatives and opportunities.
“I’m thrilled to join the Office of Mayor Craig,” said Hannah Chisholm. “As the City continues to make historic investments in the community, I’m looking forward to helping communicate that progress to our residents and visitors.”
“Hannah’s strong background in communications and community engagement make her a great addition to our team at City Hall,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “I look forward to her work helping to make City government more transparent and accessible.”
Hannah previously worked in the UNH Manchester office of Career and Professional Success as an Internship and Marketing Specialist, as a policy intern for New Hampshire Housing, and for the New Hampshire Democratic Party as a regional organizing director. Hannah graduated from University of New Hampshire at Manchester where she majored in Public Service and Nonprofit Leadership with a minor in Community Leadership.
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Today, the City of Manchester announced additional summer programming at Veterans Park. In addition to ‘Movies in the Park’ announced earlier this week, Manchester Parks and Recreation will host a ‘Concerts in the Park’ Summer Series.
Concerts begin at 6:30pm on Wednesday, June 22nd, Wednesday, July 20th, Wednesday, August 3rd, Wednesday, August 17th.
All events are sponsored by the City of Manchester. Bring your own blanket or chairs. Food trucks will be available for purchases at the concerts, or arrive early and dinner at one of our numerous downtown restaurants!
Schedule for Veterans Park this summer:
June 22 at 6:30pm – Concert - Akwaaba Ensemble
June 29 at 8:00pm – Movie
July 13 at 8:00pm – Movie
July 20 at 6:30pm – Concert - Mica’s Groove Train
July 27 at 8:00pm – Movie
August 3 at 6:30pm – Concert - Truffle
August 10 at 8:00pm – Movie
August 17 at 6:30pm – Concert – Soggy Po Boys
Find more information about the concerts here:
Wednesday, June 22nd at 6:30PM - New Hampshire’s Artist Laureate Theophilus Nii Martey will be the perfect lead in for the movies and summer events ahead in Veterans Park!
Theo Martey founded the Akwaaba Drum and Dance Ensemble who will join him onstage in Veterans Park June 22nd at 6:30PM. The stage will come alive with West African drumming and dance featuring rich and subtle rhythmic patterns and styles specific to different tribal groups of West Africa.
Martey started his drumming and dance studies at the age of 6 in Ghana, West Africa and now resides in Manchester. He is a talented artist, songwriter, recording artist, producer and teaching artist. He received the 2019 Governor's Arts Award for Arts Education, and was featured on New Hampshire Magazine Who’s It for 2019 list. He was recently appointed by the Governor and the Executive Council to maintain the honorary position as New Hampshire’s Artist Laureate from April 2022 to February 2024.
Please join us as we celebrate NH Artist Laureate Theophilus Nii Martey and the Akwaaba Drum and Dance Ensemble in Veterans Park on June 22nd!
Wednesday, July 20th at 6:30PM – Mica’s Groove Train brings New England’s hottest funky soul band to the stage in Manchester. Their style has created quite a buzz in the music industry. Their killer vocals create a beautiful, versatile sound. Strong will and determination pushed Mica’s Groove Train forward, but raw talent has kept these musicians strong, relevant and alive!
Wednesday, August 3rd at 6:30PM - Truffle, a premier band from Seacoast NH comes to the Queen City to entertain for the evening. Their music style is hard to describe though their fans love their original music, as well as the cover tunes they add for a little more flavor. They’ve been making music on their wild ride together for over 35 years. Truffle has shared the stage with numerous well known greats like The Steve Miller Band, The Dave Matthews Band, Phish and many more. Don’t miss the excitement Truffle brings with them!
Wednesday, August 17th at 6:30PM – The band Soggy Po’ Boys was born on a snowy Fat Tuesday night in 2012 and they’ve been honing their craft ever since. Soggy Po’ Boys will join us on the Veterans Park stage on August 17th. The New Orleans flavored septet play at nearly a hundred shows each year, including festivals, concerts and parades. They describe their jazz as messy, mixing brass-fueled mayhem with spirituals, Meters-style old-school funk, and the Caribbean side of the New Orleans tradition. You have to experience the sounds of Soggy Po Boys for yourself!
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The Community Event and Activation Grants (CEAG) program, funded by the City of Manchester as an approved use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds is being launched to help Manchester recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through several rounds of funding, the grants will provide up to $10,000 per grant to organizations, individuals, and neighborhood groups for community-based projects and events contributing to community health and safety, bringing visitors to our City, and supporting and promoting the Manchester community. A total of $1,000,000 is funded through the end of December 2026, but funds must be allocated by the end of December 2024.
The CEAG program will play a key role in Manchester’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants are meant to empower local community groups to make quality of life improvements to their neighborhoods, and to put on events that bring people together. Quality of life improvements will contribute to public health, public safety, and local beautification, making our city a better place to live. Grant-funded events will bring people into the city, helping local commercial activity. Both of these aspects of the program will be driven by community members, encouraging collaboration and socialization that were limited by COVID-19. These grants are competitive and funding is not guaranteed. Community Activation Grants will make Manchester more livable, more vibrant, and help drive Manchester’s economic recovery.
Please note: Community Activation Grants cannot exceed $10,000 and require a minimum 25% match of private funding, in-kind donations, and/or volunteer hours. Grant funds are not paid in advance. Grantees will submit receipts/invoices to an identified City of Manchester staff person as needed for reimbursement. Submission of application does not guarantee funding, as these grants are competitive. Please refer to Attachment A in the application for requirements.
Download the CEAG application.
Completed applications can be emailed to PCD-ARPA@manchesternh.gov with the subject line “CEAG Application”, or mailed to City of Manchester, Planning and Community Development, Attn: CEAG Application, 1 City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101
Please email PCD-ARPA@manchesternh.gov or call (603) 792-6725 with any questions.
Second round application deadline is August 15th, 2022
Today, Mayor Joyce Craig and the Planning and Community Development Department released a full list of first round recipients as well as the start of a second round of funding from Manchester’s Community Event and Activation Grant program which was launched back in February.
During the first round of funding, 29 different community groups and nonprofits received funds totaling $253,862.98. Awardees were selected by a committee made up of representatives from the Department of Planning and Community Development, Department of Public Works, Office of Economic Development, Health Department, and the Office of the City Clerk.
A full breakdown of the grant recipients can be found here.
This program was approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) recommendations. The Community Event and Activation Grant (CEAG) program allocated $1,000,000 to support and increase the number of community-based projects and events in an effort to help Manchester recover from the negative effects of COVID-19.
“The first round of recipients used their grant money for dozens of exciting community programs and initiatives such as community wide celebrations with live music, food and dancing; athletic opportunities with soccer, basketball and disc golf; and neighborhood improvements including community gardens, murals and bike racks.” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “I’m excited to see what else our community brings forward with this next round of funding.”
“Manchester Moves is working with Manchester DPW and Revision Energy to install solar lighting in two of the city’s rail tunnels. This lighting will greatly enhance the safety and usability of our trails for all users,” said Don Waldron of Manchester Moves, a volunteer trail organization that received a grant through the first round of funding. “This project would not have been possible at this time without the help of the CEAG program.”
The second round of funding opens on June 15th, 2022 and applications are due by August 15th, 2022. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible to expedite the application review process.
Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 per grant for community-based projects and events that contribute to economic development and tourism and support a vibrant and healthy community. All applicants are required to provide a minimum 25% match for each project or event, which can include direct funding, in-kind donations or volunteer hours.
The application for Manchester’s Community Event and Activation Grant program can be found here.
Completed applications can be emailed to PCD-ARPA@manchesternh.gov with the subject line “CEAG Application”, or mailed to City of Manchester, Planning and Community Development, Attn: CEAG Application, 1 City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101. Email PCD-ARPA@manchesternh.gov or call (603) 792-6725 with any questions.
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