The Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Investment Bill turned the recommendations in the Vermont Working Landscape Partnership’s Action Plan into legislative language for consideration by Vermont lawmakers in the spring of 2012. The bill (S.246 and H.496) passed the House and the Senate, and was signed by Gov. Shumlin in May 2012 as Act 142.
Legislative Intent: The bill created the Working Landscape Enterprise Fund and the Working Lands Enterprise Board, which oversees the Fund (Working Lands Enterprise Initiative). The intent is to stimulate a concerted economic development effort on behalf of Vermont’s agriculture and forest products sectors by systematically advancing entrepreneurism, business development, and job creation.
To find out more about the Fund and to apply, visit workinglands.vermont.gov.
Learn more about Act 142:
- Read the Act: Act 142: An act relating to preserving Vermont’s working landscape
- H.496 Bill Summary
- Ways the Fund Will Stimulate Growth
- Ten Reasons to Support the Working Lands Enterprise Investment Bill
Original sponsors of H.496 –
Rep. Will Stevens (I-Shoreham),
Rep. Tess Taylor (D-Barre City),
Rep. Carolyn Branagan (R-Georgia),
Rep Mollie Burke (P-Brattleboro)
Photo credit: Mary Claire Carroll