16 Grantees will Receive Over $750,000 in Total Funding
Governor Peter Shumlin, Agency of Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross, Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Lawrence Miller, Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder, and the Working Lands Enterprise Board will announce the 1st round of grant recipients from the “Service Provider” and “Capital and Infrastructure” investment areas of the Working Lands Enterprise Fund on Tuesday, June 18th at 11am at Beaver Brook Tree Farm in Marshfield (directions at bottom of email).
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, Act 142, is administered by the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and is in partnership with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, as well as the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The Working Lands Enterprise Board, comprised of public and private sector members involved in agriculture, forestry, and/or forest products is responsible for allocating almost $1 million in grant funds.
The Service Provider Grant Area received 84 Letters of Intent (LOIs) for a total of $3.2 million in LOIs. Of the applicants invited to submit a full application, 27 applications were received for a total of $1.2 million in requests. The Board will announce over $350,000 in awards to 8 grantees representing sectors across agriculture, forestry, and forest products, all of whom provide statewide impact. Service Provider Grant Recipients are located in Addison, Chittenden, Rutland, Washington, and Windham Counties.
The Capital and Infrastructure Investment Area received 112 Letters of Intent (LOI) for a total of $6.7 million in LOIs. Of the applicants invited to submit a full application, 22 applications were received for a total of $2.2 million in requests. The Board will announce over $400,000 in awards to 8 grantees representing sectors across agriculture, forestry, and forest products, all of whom offer benefits to the supply chain. Grantees are located in Addison, Franklin, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties.
More information on the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative can be found at VermontWorkingLands.com.
Directions to Beaver Brook Tree Farm
Beaver Brook Tree Farm is 30 minutes (20 miles) from downtown Montpelier- Take Rte. 2 East to Marshfield and then turn Northeast onto Rte.215 at the Marshfield Village Store. Drive .5 miles and turn North onto McCrillis Road. Drive .7 miles to the top of the road, and take the right fork down to the big barn where the ski parking is in the barnyard.
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About The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets: VAAFM facilitates, supports and encourages the growth and viability of agriculture in Vermont while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment. www.vermontagriculture.com