Contact: Barbara Riley
Monday, August 21, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senator John Sununu (R-NH) announced today (8/21) that the Northern Community Investment Corporation (NCIC), which helps provide financing for businesses seeking start-up or expansion capital in the North Country of New Hampshire and Northeast Vermont, is set to receive $49,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program. NCIC plans to use this Rural Business Opportunity Grant to plan marketing strategies that will facilitate the growth of outdoor recreation and natural resource-based businesses in Coos County.

“Economic diversification is critical to the prospects for long-term job creation in northern New Hampshire,” said Sununu. “Businesses that specialize in outdoor recreation, which attracts visitors to the North Country, represent an important part of the region’s economic future. These funds are an investment that stands to strengthen the area’s tourism industry, benefiting residents in the form of jobs and increased economic activity.”

Jon Freeman, NCIC President, said: “The outdoor recreation opportunities of Coos County are second to none and we at NCIC are pleased to be able to develop its marketing program through this grant award. I would like to once again thank both USDA Rural Development and Senator Sununu for helping our region, clearly they are dedicated to helping to improve our local economy!”

These resources will enable NCIC, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority and the New Hampshire Community Technical College-Berlin, to develop a regional marketing message for local businesses. For more information about NCIC, visit http://www.ncic.org.