LCHIP Speaks Up

In a sign of the times, a state conservation program is making its case for support in economic terms.

Black Mountain Forest: In Sutton and Warner, the purchase of 1025 acres adjacent to Mt. Kearsarge State Forest was made possible in part by an LCHIP grant (photo courtesy LCHIP)

During the past two budget cycles, state lawmakers have reached into the coffers of the Land and Community Heritage and Investment Program to help balance the budget. But LCHIP supporters are already preparing for when Republican lawmakers get to work next month. They maintain that cutting program funding further or, in the unlikely case, altogether, would be a short-sighted move that would hurt the state’s tourism-focused economy in the long-run.

“LCHIP is about more than land and buildings,” said Rusty McLear, the LCHIP board chairman. “The grants are a tool to help New Hampshire people protect the quality of life that we all benefit from.”

On Monday, LCHIP announced 24 matching grants totaling $1.59 million. Officials from the independent state authority said the winning projects add up to $28 million in total project value, that $1 million will be added to the state economy and as many as 90 jobs will be created.

It’s a positioning strategy that goes beyond the ideals of conservation to emphasize economic development and job creation, as the Nashua Telegraph’s Kevin Landrigan points out in this article.

Funds for the LCHIP grants come from $25 recording fees collected by county registry offices across the state. LCHIP says this source gives the program a base of statewide financial support and the opportunity to invest in all corners of the state.

According to LCHIP figures, around $28 million in 183 investment grants have been made since 2000 for 116 towns and cities with the goal of protecting and conserving the state’s natural, cultural and historical resources. LCHIP said its latest round of grants include the 1025-acre Black Mountain Forest in Sutton and Warner, 260 acres at Potter Farm in Northumberland, restoration of the cupola on the Gilmanton Academy/town hall, and window and interior restoration to the 1907 Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library.

This Daily Dispatch was written by Michael McCord.

>> To see a map locating all of LCHIP’s 2010 grant recipients, click here.

Posted by Hilary Niles on Dec 8 2010. Filed under Arts & Culture, Commerce, conservation, Environment & Resources, Government, land use, Money, Property, state budget, taxes, tourism, Weekly Briefing, workforce. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry