As seen in Vermont Business Magazine: https://www.vermontbiz.com/news/2019/june/13/working-lands-enterprise-board-names-fy19-grantees-over-800000-awarded

Eighteen Vermont working lands businesses and service providers were recognized Wednesday at an event celebrating the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI), created by the Legislature in 2012 to stimulate economic development in the agricultural and forestry sectors. The awardees received over $800,000. Governor Phil Scott and Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Secretary Anson Tebbetts recognized each grantee on the grounds of the Intervale Center in Burlington, also a grantee, to emphasize the importance of working lands businesses to Vermont’s economy and heritage.

The event also celebrated news that the Working Lands Enterprise Fund budget will increase in Fiscal Year 2020, with the highest ever allocation of $1.594 million, including one time funds specifically focused on the dairy sector. Since its inception in 2012, the Working Lands Enterprise Board has invested over $5.3 million in 184 projects, affecting every county of the state and resulting in more than 500 jobs.

“It’s clear these efforts and investments make a difference, which is important to our economy and state. This collaborative approach is important to meeting the goals my Administration has set to grow the economy, make Vermont more affordable, and protect the most vulnerable,” Governor Scott said.

WLEI is a collaborative effort between the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. WLEB, which finalizes all funding decisions, achieves this goal by making investments across businesses and service providers in critical leverage points which will have the highest return on investment. This initiative supports Vermont entrepreneurs by providing financial assistance to help innovate and grow their business while also creating jobs, building infrastructure and promoting growth in economies and communities of Vermont’s working landscape.

For 2019, the Working Lands Enterprise Board deployed $823,000 in grants and contracts to 18 agriculture and forestry businesses and service providers around the state. Part of the strategic plan for this year was the creation of Industry Impact grants for projects ranging from $50,000-$150,000. These projects must impact the supply chain for low grade wood or dairy, two industries determined by the WLEB in need of larger investments to achieve viability.

Secretary Tebbetts, left, and Governor Scott hold the big check for KJ Pratt for $15,000.

Businesses (Grants)

Gagnon Lumber. Inc., $120,000

Kirby Mulch Company LLC, $130,000

Five Generations Farmstead Creamery, $150,000

Agricola Farm, LLC, $50,000

Footprint Farm LLC, $14,700

Bread & Butter Farm, LLC, $20,000

Rockledge Farm Woodworks, $25,000

Fisher Brothers Farm, $20,000

Ardelia Farm & Co., $19,910

Rebop Farm, LLC, $25,000

Beaver Meadow Consulting, $23,600

Karim Farm and Creamery, $20,000

K.J. Pratt Logging and Tree Service LLC, $15,000

VAAFM Trade Show Assistance Grants, $30,000

 

Service Providers (Grants)

Vermont Wood Works Council, $20,000

UVM Extension,$19,943

Intervale Center, $19,965

Center for Women & Enterprise, $20,000

 

Service Providers (Contract)

Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, $80,000

 

The funding opportunity for FY20 is scheduled to post on the Working Lands website in the Fall of 2019.