Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) is seeking applications for its Business Enhancement Grant Program.
Donor Name: Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/11/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Funding Information
- $620,000 is available to award
- Minimum & Maximum Award
- $10,000-$50,000
Grant Period
12 months (April 2026-March 2027).
Eligible Projects
Projects eligible for funding may relate to one or more of the following categories:
- Equipment – new or used equipment, including down payments for large pieces of equipment, rehabbing equipment that is new to the business, or upgrading equipment with new features or attachments.
- Infrastructure development – project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building costs, including labor; may include equipment installation and/or technical assistance costs.
- Market development – professionalizing a marketing and/or branding approach to new or expanded markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development).
- Research and development – testing new systems or technology, including purchasing new animal genetics and new root, seed, or nursery stock.
- Workforce training and development – technical skill training for staff.
Eligibility Criteria
This grant is intended for businesses that demonstrate strong financial and business management skills. You will be asked to submit business financial statements as a part of this application. These statements should be clear, comprehensive, and demonstrate appropriate financial trends for the age and stage of the business. This does not necessarily mean that your business needs to be profitable. If producing the required financial statements is not possible, they do not recommend that you apply for this grant. There are many free or low-cost programs that you can sign up for instead that can help you improve these business and financial management skills. This grant is available each fall, so if it is not a good fit at this time, you can start planning now to apply in the future.
- Eligible Farms
- Any size farm producing food (for farm animal or human consumption) and/or fiber products: hay and forage crops; hemp grown outdoors for fiber or ingestible CBD products; herbs; honey; hops; fruit; legumes; livestock for dairy, meat, and/or fiber; poultry; maple; nut trees; mushrooms grown outdoors; vegetables; and viticulture.
For more information, visit WLEI.
