The Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is seeking applications for the 2024 Service Provider Grant.
Donor Name: Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/16/2023
Size of the Grant: $10,000 – $25,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
Service Provider Grant projects will include the provision of direct and indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses through technical assistance and other forms of support, which may cover topic(s) such as:
- Market development, marketing plans, and sales;
- Business and financial planning;
- Business responses to COVID-19;
- Enterprise transitions for next generation business owners and post succession;
- Access to capital;
- Manufacturing efficiencies or process flow;
- Business research and development
- Workforce development, professional engagement training;
- Import substitution, assistance to businesses emphasizing or exploring Vermont production to fill in or address gaps (packaging, ingredients, etc.) along forest and agriculture supply chains.
Program Purpose
Approximately 20% of Vermont’s working landscape is used for agricultural purposes, and 80% is forested. Vermont prospers and its unique sense of place thrives because of intelligent investments in the people and enterprises that comprise its farm, food, and forest-based systems. Strong community engagement and support for the farm and forest sectors leads to enhanced quality of life for Vermont citizens and working lands business owners.
Funding Information
- Up to $75,000 from a fiscal year 2024 State of Vermont legislative appropriation
- $10,000–$25,000 per award
- Project Length: 12 months
Eligible Projects
Projects eligible for funding will include the provision of direct technical assistance and/or indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses. Vermont service providers, sub-state regional programs, and organizations are welcome to apply. Ongoing and pilot programs are acceptable, and services may provide support to businesses in any of the following areas:
- Market development, marketing plans, and sales strategies
- Business and financial planning
- Business responses to flooding, COVID-19 and/or other crises
- Enterprise transitions for next generation business owners and post-succession planning
- Access to capital
- Manufacturing efficiencies or process flow
- Business research and development
- Workforce development; professional skills training
- Exploration or expansion of production to address gaps along forest and agriculture supply chains (e.g., packaging, ingredients, etc.), including for substitution of imported items.
Eligibility Criteria
Service provider organizations must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State at the time of application submission. All structures are eligible (e.g., Partnerships, Limited Liability Corporations, Sole Proprietorships, Cooperatives, Corporations, S Corporations, L3Cs, B Corporations, and/or non-profits that are involved in the support of production of agriculture and/or forest products). Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e., water quality, taxes, child support) and in good standing with the State of Vermont at the time of applying and must remain so during the entire grant period.
For more information, visit VWLEI.