Three significant developments will support different segments of New Hampshire’s population

Early summer 2022 has been an unsettling time for many, with a rocky investment scene, inflation, war, heat and political bickering. During all this, however, several encouraging and significant projects have been moving ahead in New Hampshire, which are worthy of note, and which will be of long-term benefit to the state.

On July 19, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the sale of a parcel of city-owned real estate to the Mark Stebbins Community Center, a nonprofit organization formed to develop a facility on the West Side to house services not previously available to residents of that part of the city. When completed, the center is designed to house a branch of the Boys and Girls Club, Amoskeag Health and other service providers to young people and families, who previously had to cross the river to obtain them.

Named for the late business executive Mark Stebbins, a Manchester native who headed Procon, a major design/build company, the center was the subject of extensive testimony at the aldermen meeting.

Sally Stebbins, widow of Mark, described the family’s previous generosity in supporting many nonprofits, including Easterseals, Waypoint and the Boys and Girls Club.

With one abstention and one “no” vote, the sale was approved with a significant majority, including those of different political persuasions. While this vote was only the first of many governmental actions required to bring the project to fruition, it was an important endorsement and good start.

The project is the epitome of a great New Hampshire effort. Almost all of those involved, including members of the Stebbins family, former Gov. John Lynch and prominent businesspeople, are volunteers. No city or state funds will be involved. The land is being purchased, not donated, by the city, and the city has rights to reacquire the facility should services there cease or should fundraising fail to raise enough private support to get it started in a reasonable time. This is the New Hampshire way, and should be an inspiration to all, and great service to the West Side of Manchester.

In June, Easterseals New Hampshire, one of the state’s largest nonprofits, saw two important projects move forward.

The Executive Council approved a grant of $23 million for the construction of a Veterans Center to be located at the Daniel Webster Farm facility owned by Easterseals in Franklin.

With the grant, Easterseals has committed to construct housing for veterans for long-term and short-term stays, a meeting facility for veterans groups, offices for the provision of services to veterans, and a centralized and focused facility for their care.

Announced by Gov. Chris Sununu in his State of the State address, the funding came from the last round of Covid money provided by the federal government. When completed, this facility will be unique and provide needed services.

The other Easterseals facility is a senior housing project to be built on the property of its Homemakers & Health Services program in Rochester.

Formerly Homemakers Health Services of Strafford County, the organization was taken over by Easterseals several years ago and had a large parcel of land historically owned by the Spaulding family. Part of the development was the sale of a large parcel of land to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and will remain in its natural state for use and enjoyment of the people of quickly developing Rochester and the surrounding area.

The senior housing project, known as Champlin Place, will be an affordable housing facility for those served by the Homemakers services, as well as other Easterseals services, and provides needed housing for many who have been looking for it in the present tough housing market, especially hard for many senior citizens. Financing for this project, like many others around the state, was provided by a tax credit program of the NH Housing Finance Authority.

All three of these new projects are hopeful developments for different segments of New Hampshire’s population, show the creativity of its nonprofits, and sensible partnerships between government and the private nonprofit sector which provides so much of the services in our state.

Good news in otherwise trying times!

Brad Cook is a Manchester attorney. The views expressed in this column are his own. He can be reached at bradfordcook01@gmail.com.