Franklin Opera House Receives CDFA Tax Credit Grant

Funds help sustain operations and programs

May 16, 2025 • Saved under Organizations, Other Organizations
By Randy Kovach and Jo Brown
Left to right- Leo Paquin, Chair, Franklin Business and Industrial Development Corporation (FBIDC), a nonprofit, and Janna Thompson, Assistant Vice President/Banking Office Manager, Bank of New Hampshire (BNH) and FBIDC – Executive Director, Jo Brown. The Opera House Advisory Board Chair, Jeff Perkins and Executive Director, Dan Darling.  The group was taking a quick tour of the Opera House after a New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) grant submitted by FBIDC was approved last March 2024. Photo: William F Pomeroy

FRANKLIN — A CDFA Tax Credit is a tax credit grant administered by CDFA. Along with other companies, Bank of New Hampshire made a significant contribution, which impacts the Opera House programs, and allows those companies to take it as a tax deduction. 

The grant totaled $150,000. CDFA received a 20% admin fee of $30,000 and the remaining $120,000 went to FBIDC. The grant engages the community to support the opera house in shaping its future and to come up with a model that will help sustain the operations, service the debt associated with the renovation, and continue to provide a youth drama program in which all (regardless of economic status) can participate.