FairPoint Communications awarded a grant to the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene, NH. The grant supports the Hannah Grimes Center's community and economic development programs, such as the Entrepreneurship Project which offers the skills, resources, and support needed for individuals to meet their business goals.

"FairPoint supports the valuable work done by Hannah Grimes Center in fostering business growth in the Monadnock region," said state president Teresa Rosenberger. "We are also supporting the growing business community in this area with the expansion of our broadband network. Broadband is becoming available in an increasing number of communities in this region aiding new and existing businesses."

"FairPoint shares our commitment to supporting economic growth in rural communities and supporting the growth of small business and technology infrastructure," stated Mary Ann Kristiansen, Executive Director of the Hannah Grimes Center. "They have provided generous and sustained funding for three years which has enabled Hannah Grimes to increase critical programming over 800% during this deep recession."

As an entrepreneurial organization, many of Hannah Grimes' highest impact projects emerge quickly as an opportunity, offering a very small timeframe for action at a minimal cost to implement. In order to develop these community and economic development opportunities, Hannah Grimes developed the Key Partners Program to provide reliable, sustained funding for the core of the organization. According to Kristiansen, "While many of these high impact projects are virtually free to get started, they are dependent upon us being here with the lights on to get and keep the ball rolling."

FairPoint Communications, Inc. is an industry leading provider of communications services to communities across the country. Today, FairPoint owns and operates 32 local exchange companies in 18 states offering advanced communications with a personal touch including local and long distance voice, data, Internet, television and broadband services. FairPoint is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FRP.