Governor Chris Sununu, Mayor Jay Ruais Statement Following Approval of $1M for Mark Stebbins Community Center

Concord, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement after members of the Executive Council voted to approve $1 Million in funding to assist in the building of the Mark Stebbins Community Center in Manchester, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization:

"By breaking down silos and bringing nonprofits together under one roof, the Mark Stebbins Community Center carries on the philanthropic legacy of Mark Stebbins and represents the very best of New Hampshire," said Governor Chris Sununu. "I applaud the non-profit partners making this innovative vision a reality to better serve Manchester's West Side. It's all about the kids!"

The $1 Million in funding approved today will serve to help fund costs associated with construction, which is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2025.

As a multi-service nonprofit center, the Mark Stebbins Community Center will bring critical services to children and families in the West Side of Manchester, which is home to 25% of the city's population. Nonprofit services will be brought together under one roof to serve the community.

"Today marks a significant milestone for our city as we express profound gratitude to Governor Sununu and the Executive Council for their unwavering support for the Mark Stebbins Community Center with the recent approval of $1,000,000 to fund this project," said Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais. "This vital investment will support this important center for our families and children of our beloved West Side. With the collaboration of 30 nonprofit organizations, we are poised to create a transformative space, empowering our residents to thrive and flourish."

"When families can get access to all these services in one place it makes it more valuable for them and more efficient for everyone," said Taylor Caswell, Executive Director of the Governor's Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery. "This approach works and bringing this to Manchester will serve as a model we can build toward across the state."

The Center will work to provide affordable, walkable childcare, after-school care, access to affordable health care, food access, community meeting space, and additional support.

Non-profit partners currently involved in the planning are:

• Boys & Girls Club of Manchester
• Amoskeag Health
• Waypoint
• Easterseals NH
• Mental Health Care of Greater Manchester
• Granite YMCA
• Manchester Housing & Redevelopment Authority
• Southern NH Services
• Granite United Way
• Catholic Charities of New Hampshire

Mark Stebbins, a Manchester native, served as Chairman and CEO of PROCON, a New Hampshire-based design and construction firm. Throughout his life and career, Mark was devoted to giving back to the Manchester community through his philanthropic work.

Note: Additional information on Mark Stebbins can be found here.