August 26, 2022

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful week and are enjoying the beautiful weather in the final days of summer. I spent the week meeting with Granite Staters across the Second Congressional District, and I appreciated the opportunity to hear first-hand about the challenges folks are facing, as well as the chance to highlight exciting federal investments in our communities.

When I talk to Granite Staters from the Southern Tier to the North Country, I am consistently hearing from folks about the lack of affordable housing in our communities and how it is contributing to the workforce shortage. On Monday, I kicked off my Affordable Housing Week – I visited new and updated affordable housing locations, one location that is under construction after recently breaking ground, and an accessible housing facility.

I visited the Depot & Main Apartments construction site in Salem and met with Elm Grove staff to hear updates.

I appreciated the opportunity to hear from residents, developers, and advocates in Claremont, Lebanon, Salem, and Hudson, and I look forward to traveling throughout the state in the coming weeks as I continue to focus on efforts to expand access to affordable housing.

I toured Friars Court Apartments in Hudson and heard updates from Dakota Partners staff.

Nesmith Library’s new solar array project will save energy costs for the community and the library in the long term.

Yesterday in Windham, I joined the ribbon cutting ceremony for Nesmith Library’s new solar array – a project that will save critical energy costs for the community and the library in the long term. I was also excited to deliver books from the Library of Congress through their Surplus Book Lending program.

I was thrilled to attend the ribbon cutting and see first-hand the positive impact of the federal dollars I helped to secure. In total, I was proud to see more than $850,000 allocated for New Hampshire libraries in the second round of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds, including 21 libraries in the Second Congressional District.

I visited River Valley Community College's (RVCC) Lebanon Academic Center to tour the site and hear updates.

On Tuesday, I appreciated the opportunity to tour RVCC’s Lebanon Academic Center and to hear from the college’s leadership, students, and instructors. As our state faces challenges in the labor workforce, I’m proud of the investments RVCC at Lebanon continues to make in students and with local workforce partnerships.

These investments benefit not only our economy but also the health and well-being of our communities – RVCC’s nursing programs can provide direct relief amid the state’s nursing shortage. I'll continue working to support our community colleges, skills training programs, and workforce development programs which are essential to meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing economy.

I met with Newport officials to discuss funding programs to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility and invest in economic development.

On Monday, I met with Newport officials to discuss federal funding to make significant upgrades to the town’s waste and drinking water systems as well as other local priorities. Investing in the economic competitiveness of Granite State communities is critical to setting up our towns and cities for long-term success.

I’ve been a strong supporter of programs like the Northern Border Regional Commission and USDA-RD which have been helpful in supporting projects in Newport. I look forward to working with the town of Newport and communities throughout New Hampshire to help utilize federal programs to invest in our state’s future.

I heard from Granite State farmers, producers, and food distributors about their ideas and insights as I prepare to work with my colleagues on the 2023 Farm Bill.

On Wednesday, I participated in a 2023 Farm Bill Listening Session organized by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) and hosted by the Kearsarge Food Hub. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from Granite State farmers, producers, and food distributors about their ideas and insights as I prepare to work with my colleagues on the 2023 Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill is an important opportunity to put small rural farmers first and invest in communities throughout our state. This comprehensive legislation touches upon everything from farming and nutrition assistance to rural development programs and renewable energy. Thank you to the Northeast Organic Farming Association and the Kearsarge Food Hub for hosting this listening session – I look forward to bringing the ideas and perspectives I heard with me to Washington.

Calling all residents of New Hampshire’s 2nd District! If you love capturing the Granite State’s natural beauty through photography, I invite you to enter my 2022  Summer Photo Contest! 

From now until Friday, September 2nd at 11:59 PM, my office is accepting up to 3 photo submissions of the Second District. Voting will take place the week of September 5th and will conclude on September 12th at 11:59 PM. The winners will be featured on my Facebook page and in my newsletter! 

Learn more about the contest here.

One of my most important jobs as your representative is helping Granite Staters.

Do you or a loved one need assistance navigating a federal agency? My office is here to help!

If you need assistance with a federal agency, please reach out to my Concord office at (603) 226-1002 or visit www.Kuster.House.Gov.

As always, the CDC and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services are the best resources to turn to for information about COVID-19. If you are sick, stay home and call your health care provider.

To stay updated on my work in Congress and around the Granite State and for important information and resources, like my page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

I hope you have a safe and fun weekend!

Sincerely,

Annie