The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is accepting applications for its Business Enhancement Grant Program to enhance the quality of life for Vermont citizens and working lands business owners.
Donor Name: Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/28/2022
Grant Size: $20,000 – $35,000
Grant Duration: 12 months
Details:
The mission of the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont’s working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands. The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, Act 142, created the Working Lands Enterprise Fund (WLEF) and the WLEB. The WLEB is made up of:
- Private sector members throughout the agriculture and forest supply chains
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets staff
- Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation staff
- Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development staff
- Vermont Housing & Conservation Board staff
- Vermont Economic Development Authority staff
- Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund staff
Funding Information
- Award amounts $20,000 – $35,000: *New funding range, was previously $10,000-25,000*
- Available Funds: Up to $450,000
- Project Length: 12 months
Eligible Projects
The WLEB recognizes that capital projects are a high priority for businesses and that it is currently a challenging time complete such work due to supply chain disruptions and the rising costs of materials and labor. Eligible project activities are as follows:
- Market development
- Research and development
- Infrastructure development
- Energy focused projects
- Workforce training and development
Eligibility Criteria
- All enterprises must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State
- Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e. water quality, taxes) and in good standing with the State of Vermont
- Previous Working Lands Standard Business and COVID-19 Response Business Development grantees are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2023. Previous Working Lands Supply Chain Impact, Market Level Infrastructure Impact, or Meat Slaughter and Processing Development Grants are eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding after three years, meaning that Fiscal Year 2020 and earlier grantees are eligible to apply this year.
- Primary producers looking for larger dollar amount grants may also be eligible to apply for the ARPA-Funded Primary Producer Impact Grant
For more information, visit Working Lands Enterprise Initiative.
