City Receives CDFA Community Center Investment Program Resources to Support Community Campus Improvements

The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) announced the award of $8.5 million in Community Center Investment Program resources to New Hampshire nonprofits and municipalities across the state to advance community-based projects, including $1 million to the City of Portsmouth to support improvements at the Community Campus. 

Portsmouth Recreation Director Todd Henley stated, “The City of Portsmouth will leverage the CDFA resources, in addition to $1.5 million in funds approved by the City Council, to make critical upgrades to a 72,000 square foot centrally located building which is used by multiple nonprofits, including childcare and after school programs that serve hundreds of families. Upgrades to the building security, technology, systems, and structure will ensure continuity of use and accessibility of programs at the community center including the addition of an inclusive, financially equitable, full-time after-school program run by the City of Portsmouth’s Recreation Department.”

CDFA grants are intended as one-time, strategic investments in critical infrastructure. These resources are designed to support the enhancement of current indoor and outdoor facilities, as well as the construction of new facilities that are inclusive, open to the public, and foster a culture of health and wellbeing in the communities they serve. The program has provided a total of $20 million in resources to community centers across New Hampshire.

“The investment of Community Center Investment Program resources will make important impacts within New Hampshire communities by creating meaningful places for local residents to come together and access essential services,” stated Katy Easterly Martey, Executive Director, CDFA. “There was a significant demand for these resources. Nonprofits and municipalities awarded funds demonstrated their projects have a strong community benefit and improve or create spaces that are incredibly important for the health and vibrancy of New Hampshire’s communities.” 

The Governor and Executive Council approved the investment of federal American Rescue Plan Act State Fiscal Recovery Funds for the Community Center Investment Program which is administered in coordination with the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery. 

About the Community Development Finance Authority 

The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is a statewide nonprofit public authority focused on maximizing the value and impact of community development, economic development, and clean energy initiatives throughout New Hampshire. The organization leverages a variety of financial and technical resources, including the competitive deployment of grant, loan, and equity programs. Those resources include New Hampshire state tax credits, federal Community Development Block Grant resources and the CDFA Clean Energy Fund. For more information about CDFA and its programs visit www.nhcdfa.org or call 603-226-2170.