e-Newsletter - December 2022  
NEK Community Announcements

Strong Communities
Did you know that NVDA's region encompasses 55 municipalities covering more than one-fifth of the state's land mass? There are two Designated Downtowns, 41 Designated Village Centers and 42 communities with current Town Plans. 15 Communities in the region have adopted "enhanced energy plans." This year, NVDA participated in the VT Council on Rural Development Community Visits in Brownington and Concord that focused on action plans for the future, aimed to kickstart and sustain grassroots revitalization efforts. Our municipalities have complex planning needs and they rely on NVDA staff when it comes to putting their plans into action. We stay committed to pursuing partnerships and opportunities for the betterment of the NEK and its people throughout Essex, Orleans and Caledonia Counties.

ARPA Funding for Essex and Orleans Counties
Vermont officials and local leaders gathered in Newport on November 17, to discuss the challenges involved in planning for and spending federal pandemic recovery money. ARPA funding was allocated on a per capita basis for projects including water, sewer, and broadband. The Newport meeting focused on improvement projects specifically in Orleans and Essex Counties. The plan was to help connect local officials with resources to help facilitate spending before the 2026 deadline. Attached are handouts from the meeting: ACCD Resources

Webinar: Municipal ARPA Funding, the Creative Economy, and Strategic Plans
Dec. 13th, 6:00-7:00 pm
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) included municipal funding opportunities to support the creative economy. Webinar discussions, presented by the VT Creative Network, outline possibilities for how local governments can strengthen the creative sector, and how advocates can engage in the process. NVDA's Annie McLean, Community & Economic Recovery Specialist, is one of the presenters. Register Here and visit the VT Creative Network Advocacy website to learn more about the webinar series Here.

Gov. Scott Announces Launch of Community Recovery & Revitalization Program (CRRP)
Governor Scott made an appearance at the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury to announce the opening of the application portal for CRRP. The program is now accepting submissions for community projects across the state that spur economic recovery and revitalization. CRRP grants are available for municipalities, and profit and nonprofit entities. Awards will be made on a rolling first-come, first-served basis with the exception of the first 30 days when the Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD) reviews and prioritizes applications that primarily serve BIPOC communities. ACCD will also prioritize municipalities and organizations located in non-metropolitan areas which include Essex, Caledonia and Orleans Counties. Full details of the program can be found Here.

Northern Forest Center Plans Redevelopment Project in St. Johnsbury
Northern Forest Center purchased 560 Railroad Street to create a mix of commercial space and quality middle-market apartments. NVDA's Brownfields Coalition is contributing to the project by funding an environmental assessment to identify any contaminants on site. The 15,000 sq. ft. building was built in1906 for use as an armory and in the 1930s, the prominent structure was converted into a hotel. The St. Johnsbury project follows the Center's successful redevelopment of the Parker J. Noyes building in Lancaster, NH. Evan Oleson, Northern Forest Center's NEK Program Manager, will oversee the St. Johnsbury project.

VT Council on Rural Development (VCRD) Offers Support for Local Climate Solutions
Four local projects were recipients of Climate Catalyst Innovation funding for projects that make a meaningful community-scale impact. Craftsbury Public Library, Glover Energy Committee, St. Johnsbury Universalist Unitarian Congregation, and the Town of Sheffield were among thirty-seven applicants competing for funding. The program focuses on community innovation and local action that reflect the particular nature of a town or area of Vermont.

Healthy Equity & Community Design Technical Assistance
The VT Department of Health and Department of Housing & Community Development are announcing a technical assistance pilot to support community-led design, placemaking, and healthy equity projects across Vermont. Approximately 20-35 applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis for in-person and virtual engagement sessions between December 2022 and October 2023. To learn more and apply: www.healthycommunitiesvt.com
Business Announcements

Congratulations Sylvacurl!
Forest Products Accelerator, a program of Northern VT University and Do North Co-working, supports innovation and commercialization in the forest industry. Sylvacurl, located in East Hardwick, was named the winner of a recent cohort peer competition. Sylvacurl produces high quality all-natural packaging material made from wood curls. The company offers an alternative shipping solution: cost-effective, biodegradable, and re-usable! www.sylvacurl.com. https://forestaccelerator.org

Worker Relocation Incentive Program Accepting Applications
The Worker Relocation Incentive Program is live at ThinkVermont.com. Reimbursable grants of up to $7,500 are available to defray moving costs for new workers (moving to Vermont to take a Vermont job) as well as remote workers who move to the state and bring their jobs with them. The program includes all occupations across all sectors. Visit the website for information about the pre-approval process which informs applicants if they are eligible.

Vermont Freight Plan Update - Public Comment Opportunity
The Agency of Transportation is updating the VT Freight Plan to incorporate changes to the National Highway Freight Program (NHFP) project table. The revised plan is available for review at https://vtrans.vermont.gov/ under the "Spotlight" section.

An Inside Exit: Selling Your Business to Family, Managers, or Employees
The Vermont Employee Ownership Center will offer two live webinars in December where business owners will learn the basics of internal exit paths. Dec.13th, 12:30-2:00 pm led by Certified Exit Planning Advisor John Davis of Davis & Hodgdon CPAs Register Here.
Dec.15th, 9:00-10:30 am led by Business Broker Lynne Silva of The Silva Group Register Here.

Tell Your Story - 14th Annual Vermont Entrepreneurship Day, February 9th
A visual media competition for Vermont's 9-12 grade student entrepreneurs and educators. The event is virtual and students may join without having to enter the competition. Submission entry deadline is Jan. 10th. Visit the VtSBDC website for details and competition guidelines for individuals and teams: https://www.vtsbdc.org/specialty-services/youth-entrepreneurship/

Get a Free Business Energy Consultation
Efficiency Vermont is offering free on-site energy visits to all Vermont businesses. The consultations give businesses access to rebate offers, financing solutions, and technical advice. Schedule a walkthrough even if you plan to make energy updates further down the road. Learn more & sign up!

Employment Opportunities

Planning Position at NVDA
We're seeking a Regional Planner with a planning background and desire to work in a rural context with a staff of dedicated professionals, municipal officials, and NVDA Commissioners. The full-time position will remain open until filled. To learn more about NVDA visit www.nvda.net. No phone calls please.

Help Wanted: NEK Broadband
NEK Broadband is a Communications Union District and the network is growing. All positions are full-time with benefits. Visit the website to find out more and apply nekbroadband.org/careers

Upcoming Events

VCDA Fall Conference / Dec. 6th, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
VT Community Development Association Fall Conference will be held at The Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. The theme is "The Changing Landscape of Infrastructure: New Challenges & Solutions." There's still time to Register! https://www.vtcda.org/fallconference2022.html Learn more about VCDA at vtcda.org

FEMA Training for Elevation Certificate / Jan. 11th & Jan. 26th, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
The virtual Elevation Certificate Workshop, sponsored by Woods Hole and MIT SeaGrant, is offered to all New England states - limit 100 seats, 50 participants for each date. Apply by Dec. 9th. seagrant.whoi.edu/elevation-certificate-workshop

Career Training & Adult Education Courses


Vermont Tech - Continuing Education & Workforce Development www.vtc.edu vtworkers.vsc.edu VTC Healthcare Here.

North Country Career Center, Newport https://nc3.ncsuvt.org/adult-education
Contact Marina Cole (802) 334-5469 x3305 marina.cole@ncsuvt.org

St. Johnsbury Academy https://stjacademy.org/adult-education/
Contact Sandra Mings Lamar (802) 748-7738 smingslamar@stjacademy.org

Lyndon Institute Career & Technical Education Center https://www.lyndoninstitute.org/academics/career-technical-education
Contact Jeremy White, jeremy.white@lyndoninstitute.org

Contact Chris Damato (802) 266-8910 cdamato@canaanschools.org

Sterling College School of the New American Farmstead https://www.ce.sterlingcollege.edu
Funding Opportunities 
  • BRIC Program - Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities FEMA's annual funding program is open for eligible applicants with funds available for Municipalities (with an approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in place), State Agencies, and Regional Planning Commissions. Application deadline is Dec. 9th. More information Here.
  • SFY 2023 Transportation Alternatives Program This year funding is available for all eligible activities described as transportation alternatives in the Application Guide linked Here. 50% of the program funds are reserved for environmental mitigation projects relating to stormwater and highways including eligible salt and sand shed projects. Grant applications are due Dec. 14th.
  • Primary Producer Impact Grant Are you a primary producer of Vermont farm or forest products? Are you seeking funds to support market development, research, infrastructure improvements, energy projects, or workforce training and development? This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pre-application portal closes Dec. 16th. Click Here for more information.
  • 2023 Communities Caring for Canopy Grants This grant provides seed funding to help towns develop and sustain community-wide programs for trees and forests in public places and right-of-ways. Applications are due Dec. 30th. Learn More and Apply
  • Special Funding for Tax Credits A bonus round of funding for the Downtown & Village Center Tax Credit Program is available for projects that improve building safety and enhance the historic character of commercial and community buildings in designated communities. The credits support general rehabilitation work, facade improvements, code compliance, and flood mitigation projects. Applications are due Jan. 16, 2023. Questions? Contact Caitlin.Corkins@vermont.gov https://accd.vermont.gov/historic-preservation/funding/tax-credits
  • Downtown Transportation Fund (DTF) and Clean Water Fund The DTF supports revitalization efforts in Designated Downtowns and eligible Designated Village Centers. DTF has additional funding from the VT Clean Water Budget for projects that incorporate, plan for and implement stormwater management practices that improve water quality. Application deadline is Jan. 31, 2023. Downtown Transportation Fund & Clean Water Funding
  • Better Places Grants If you are thinking of more parks and green spaces, a vibrant main street, public art projects, and community gardens, Better Places grants can help. The statewide grant program is supported by VT Department of Housing & Community Development, VT Department of Health, and VT Community Foundation. There is no deadline to apply. Projects are accepted on a rolling basis while funding lasts. Visit the website for more information: Better Places
  • Rural Fire Protection Grant Program The VT Rural Fire Protection Task Force and VT Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) is offering maximum grant awards of $10,000 per project/system. The installation of new dry hydrants and other types of rural water supplies are a priority, but other eligible projects are included. Visit the website vacd.org/programs/rural-fire-protection to download the application packet.
  • Firefighter Assistance Grants The goal of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) is to meet the fire and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. For more information visit: FEMA AFG Funding.
  • Grant Available for Permitting Costs for Value-Added Forest Products Businesses The Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation is offering grant funds to cover permitting costs for businesses engaged in adding value to forest products. Sawmills, firewood processors, and furniture makers are eligible, but not logging and forestry. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Visit FPPA Grants to apply.
  • Community Heart & Soul The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program is uniquely designed for small cities and towns (population 2,500-30,000). Successful applicants will receive $10,000 grants to match funding from a participating municipality or a partnering organization. Apply Here. Read the Grant Guidelines for more information. Awards are made on a rolling basis.
Grant Writing Assistance

  • Workshop: Effective Grant Writing to Fund Your Initiative, Dec 7th, 10:00-11:30 am This virtual workshop is sponsored by the VT Community Leadership Network. Hear from a panel of grant funders and writers sharing tips and strategies on how to find grants to support your work, and how to craft an effective narrative. Register
  • Grants Management Symposium, Dec 8th, Capitol Plaza, Montpelier. A full-day workshop designed to assist grantees with Community Development Block Grant compliance requirements. Attendees will be walked through the grant cycle, with time available for project specific questions in the afternoon. Questions? Grace.Vinson@vermont.gov. Register Here
  • REDI Offers Funding for Grant Writing Assistance The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), a program of the VT Housing and Conservation Board, helps rural communities and small businesses access funding for community and business development projects. REDI funds may be used to hire a grant writer, develop a fundraising strategy for a project, or complete steps to make a grant application more competitive. Eligible applicants must be based in or serving populations under 5,000. For more information with an online application visit vhcb.org/redi. Questions? Mariah Noth Mariah@vhcb.org (802) 828-1098.  

Loan Programs

  • NEK Prosperity Fund This business loan fund is a collaborative effort between an economic development organization and a social service provider. NEK Community Action and NCIC launched the NEK Prosperity Fund to achieve a social return on investment. The aim is to provide borrowers with financial resources and business support services to improve the local economy, population health, and the area's standard of living. Visit the website NEK Prosperity Fund
  • USDA RD Home Repair Loan Program Federal regulations have made it easier for low-income rural residents to rehab and modernize their homes through USDA 504 Home Repair Loans & Grants. The program provides funding for single family housing to remove health and safety hazards.
  • Vermont Recovery Loan Fund (VRLF) This revolving loan program provides flexible terms and low-to-no-cost debt financing and advisory services to help alleviate economic disruptions caused by the pandemic. Loans are available to businesses across multiple sectors including manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, forestry & wood products, education & early care, nonprofits, and other drivers of rural economic development. For more information on VRLF and other VT Community Loan Fund lending programs, visit the website Here.
  • Northeast Kingdom Special Loan Program The VT Economic Development Authority (VEDA) is offering low interest loans under its Small Business Program to growing qualified businesses in Essex, Caledonia and Orleans Counties. The NEK Program can make loans of up to $150,000 for fixed asset acquisition or for working capital purposes. Find out more by visiting the VEDA website or contact Sandy Croft at (802) 828-5472 Scroft@veda.org.
  • VEDA's Short-Term Forgivable Loan Program provides financial assistance to businesses that continue to experience current and on-going economic harm due to COVID. There are no restrictions to how the funds must be spent - only that the money be used for operating costs and not capital investments. Certain eligibility criteria apply. Forgivable Loan Program (FLP)
  • VT Employee Ownership Loan Fund The VEOL Fund provides capital assistance to businesses that are already employee-owned or becoming so, as well as start ups owned by employees. VT Employee Ownership Loan. For more information, contact Don Jamison, Program Director of VT Employee Ownership Center (802) 338-7448, info@veoc.org.
  • NVDA Revolving Loan Program The Northeastern Vermont Development Association has a limited amount of loan funds available for businesses in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties. Funds may be used for the purchase of real property and equipment, working capital, and feasibility studies. For more information contact Tina Gonyaw tgonyaw@nvda.net (802) 748-1220. www.nvda.net
  • NCIC Loan Programs Northern Community Investment Corporation offers a variety of business lending and support programs with flexible financing. NCIC's Fast Loan Program offers quick access of up to $25,000 for start-up businesses, and up to $50,000 for existing businesses. For more information call (802) 748-5101 or email Peter Corey pcorey@ncic.org. www.ncic.org.
  • Efficiency Vermont's Energy Loan  The loan program offers affordable financing options to help residents and business customers move forward with energy efficiency projects designed to deliver savings and spur the economy. Find out more: Energy Loan 
  • VT Farm Fund New Producer Loan Are you thinking about projects for your farm or food business, but wondering how to cover the up-front costs? The VT Farm Fund can help. The Business Builder Loan is for farm businesses to invest and innovate for growth. The VT Farm Fund is a program of The Center for an Agricultural Economy. info@vermontfarmfund.org.
  • VT Farm Fund (VFF) Revolving Loan Programs When local farmers and food producers are struck by disaster or have a new business idea that will increase efficiency, they are best served by quick and easy access to a loan with friendly terms. Find out more at www.vermontfarmfund.org. Questions? Contact Kate Stephenson (802) 560-3099  

Incentive Programs for Vermont Businesses      

  • VT Employment Growth Incentive Program (VEGI) Vermont offers an economic incentive for business recruitment, growth and expansion. The VEGI program provides financial incentives to qualified businesses that meet performance requirements. Authorization occurs through an application to the VT Economic Progress Council. For more information, visit http://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/vegi or contact Abbie Sherman, Abbie.sherman@vermont.gov.    
  • VT Training Program (VTP) The Vermont Training Program can be used to train new employees or existing employees if the training is needed for new equipment or technology. VTP can pay up to 50% of an employee's wages/salary during the training period. Are your employees eligible? Contact John Young, Director of Workforce Development Programs (802) 355-2725 John.young@vermont.gov. VTP
  • VT Talent Pipeline Management (VTPM) VTPM addresses the talent-supply gap by connecting employer needs with training programs and funding resources to prepare the labor force with job-ready skills. In 2021, VTPM invited Advanced Manufacturing employers to participate in a collaborative planning process to assess hiring needs for new and replacement jobs over a two-year period: Aug 2021-2023. Read the VTPM Report: Hiring Needs - VT Manufacturing (Any Vermont manufacturer is welcome to join the VTPM collaborative to connect job seekers with career opportunities.) Visit https://www.vermonttpm.org or contact Mary Anne Sheahan for more information. maryanne@vtroundtable.org.
  • Downtown & Village Center Tax Credit Program This program is designed to stimulate private investment, create jobs, restore historic buildings, and jumpstart revitalization efforts in Vermont's Designated Downtowns and Village Centers. Visit the ACCD website for information about eligible projects and the next round of funding. Tax Credit for Downtown & Village Centers. 
Business Resources

  • VT Manufacturing Extension Center Visit the VMEC website and check out current postings for learning opportunities involving professional development, coaching, and hands-on training for leaders and workers. VMEC
  • VT Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) VT PTAC provides businesses with training to understand the requirements of government contracting and the know-how to obtain federal, state and local contracts. Visit https://vtptac.ecenterdirect.com/events for a list of free December 2022 workshops with sign-up information. Questions? Contact Brenda Plastridge Brenda.Plastridge@vermont.gov. VT PTAC
  • VHCB Farm & Forest Viability Program The program mission is to enhance the economic viability of Vermont farms and forestry enterprises. Business coaching services are offered to eligible farmers, agriculturally-related businesses, forest products enterprises, and forest landowners. VHCB
  • VT Department of Labor For Information about job openings and training opportunities by region and industry visit labor.vermont.gov/jobs. VDOL also offers complimentary recruitment assistance to employers. For more information contact Kinsley Sicard, 802/ 748-4890, Kinsley.sicard@vermont.gov.
  • VT Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) Experienced business advisors are available by email, phone or video conferencing. Do you need help constructing financial statements or application forms for recovery relief funding? For free customized service, contact: Heidi Krantz HKrantz@vtsbdc.org, Charley Ininger CIninger@vtsbdc.org or Karianne Scott kscott@vtsbdc.org.
  • NEK Collaborative (NEKC) The Collaborative's mission is to improve the quality of life for all residents in the NEK through coordinated economic and community-supported development. www.nekcollaborative.org. Sign up for the Collaborative's monthly newsletter NEK Strong. NEKstrong.com.