• Hannah Davie: Hannah joined NVDA in the Fall of 2022 as a Bookkeeper and has been providing excellent support to our business office. She received a public bookkeeping certificate from the Community College of Vermont in 2022, successfully completing her career transition from conservation biology to business support. Hannah resides with her family in Groton, VT.
• Liam Abbate: Liam came to NVDA in December 2022 as a Transportation Planner. Working with NVDA's Senior Transportation Planner, he is busy learning the many facets of our regional transportation program. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Santa Clara University in 2021 and resides in St. Johnsbury.
• Jesse Noone: Jesse also joined NVDA in December 2022 as a Municipal & Regional Planner. He will join our talented staff in assisting local and regional planning efforts across the NVDA service area. Jesse received his Master's degree in Community & Regional Planning from the University of Oregon in 2022 and now resides in Danville, VT.

• Part 1: Technical Assistance Overview, Feb 14th @ 10:30 am-12:30 pm
• Part 2: Technical Assistance Roundtable, Feb 21st @ 9:00-11:00 am

• Community Recovery & Revitalization Program (CRRP) The CRRP grant program is available to municipal, for-profit and nonprofit applicants seeking support for capital improvement projects that will spur economic recovery and revitalization efforts in the community. Awards will be made on a rolling first-come, first-served basis. Details Here.
• Hazard Mitigation Funding - Two Grant Programs 1) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program requiring a 10% local match. The best use of this funding is for project implementation and infrastructure projects. https://vem.vermont.gov/disaster-based-funding. Application deadline is Feb. 3rd. 2) Flood Resilient Communities Fund: Eligible projects include flood-vulnerable property buyouts, floodplain restoration, and buffer plantings. https://vem.vermont.gov/flood-resilient-communities-fund. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
• FY2023 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) RBDG competitive grants are separated into enterprise or opportunity activities in rural areas. There is no cost sharing requirement and this funding cycle is not requesting Letters of Intent to apply. Complete information can be found on the USDA website Here Contact NVDA to receive a benchmark number for your application: lhiggs@nvda.net. Apply by Feb. 28th.
• AARP Community Challenge Grant Do you have a great project idea for your community? This AARP program is offering three different funding categories - two are new this year: Flagship Grants; Capacity-Building Microgrants; and Demonstration Grants. Apply by Mar. 15th through aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.
• Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant The 2023 grant round is open for applicants seeking to preserve and rehabilitate non-profit and municipally-owned buildings and/or community gathering places that hold economic and social significance in Vermont's rural communities. Apply by Mar. 31st. For more information visit www.ptvermont.org.
• Better Places Grants If your town is 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
• 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.

• Funding Opportunities: The VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets maintains a calendar listing of available funding opportunities on their website Here. Multiple grants target specific agricultural needs. Some are open year-round and others are available for specific time periods.
• Dairy Farm Innovation & Alternative Management Grant The NE Dairy Business Innovation Center is offering funding in 11 Northeast states that focuses on climate and community-forward production strategies. The grant is for farmers, producer associations, and technical service providers and supports the implementation of projects that enhance the regional food system. View the Full Application
• NBRC Forest Economy Program - First Round The Northern Border Regional Commission program will fund projects in the forest economy which may include: Community Development; Workforce Training; Marketing & Education projects; Business planning & technical assistance; and Public Infrastructure. Submit Letters of Interest by March 10th. Visit the NBRC website to view the full 2023 program timeline.
• USDA Grant for Urban Agriculture & Innovative Production These competitive grants support development in two categories: Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. Learn more and apply by March 27th. OUAIP Grants
• A Business Grant to Cover Permitting Costs for Value-Added Forest Products 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.

• Call for Applications for Clean Water Projects Funding is available for projects that improve water quality located within the Missisquoi Bay Basin. Complete the application form Here. Apply by March 6th. Northwest Regional Planning Commission is the Clean Water Service Provider for Basin 6.

• Creative Futures Grants - Round 2 The VT Arts Council program provides aid to creative sector organizations and businesses including sole proprietorships and new businesses that started after March 2020, that demonstrate economic harm caused by the pandemic. Applications not funded in Round 1 may be re-considered in Round 2. Visit the grant program webpage for details Here. Submit applications by Feb. 28th.

• 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.  

• 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. 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, nonprofits, education & early care, 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. Visit 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 with fewer than 500 employees that continue to experience 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. The program is open to all business sectors. Forgivable Loan Program (FLP) Deadline to submit new applications is Mar. 31st.
• 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 visit the website www.ncic.org or call (802) 748-5101. Peter Corey pcorey@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. 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  

• 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. 

• 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 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, 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 NEKstrong.com.