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Forest Economy Financial Assistance and Grants

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative - FY 2024 Grants

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) offers funding opportunities to a variety of business structures encompassing forest, farm, and food enterprises. Visit the WLEI website for additional information, including an overview of all WLEI funding opportunities.

  • Producer Association Grants - Vermont-based nonprofit producer association groups that represent and promote Vermont agriculture, food, beverage, forest, or fiber products are welcome to apply. Award amounts $10,000-$25,000. Applications accepted through October 16, 2023. 
  • Service Provider Grants - Eligible projects include the provision of direct and indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses through business assistance such as marketing plans, business and financial planning, and business transitions and succession. Award amounts $10,000 - $25,000. Applications accepted through October 16, 2023.
  • Business Enhancement Grants - Eligible projects include market development, research and development, infrastructure development, and workforce training and development. Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000. Applications accepted through November 20, 2023.

Temporary Skidder Bridge Grant Program

The Forest Watershed Program is announcing the next round of skidder bridge grant applications. For this round, there are two types of bridges available:

  • Temporary Wooden Skidder Bridges - there will be 22 bridges available free of charge to eligible loggers and foresters who work in the Lake Champlain watershed. These bridges are the standard 12’ wide and 20’ long Hemlock bridges that are made up of three panels. Any logger or forester that makes 51% or more of their income from logging is eligible to apply. A lottery system will be used to select the bridge grantees, and each grantee will have to sign a grant agreement with the State of Vermont. Grantees will be responsible for picking up the bridge in East Montpelier. The bridges are being built now and will be available later in the summer. Funding for these bridges is from the Lake Champlain Basin Program and priority will be given to those loggers and foresters working in the Champlain Basin. Wooden Bridge Applications are due August 5th.
  • Temporary Steel Skidder Bridges - there will be 5 heavy-duty steel skidder bridges available at a 75% cost-share. The bridges are made of two panels 6’ wide and 25’ long with 3 I-beams per side and a Hemlock deck. These bridges cost $15,668 to build and the cost to the grantee will be $3,917.05. Any logger or forester that makes 51% or more of their income from logging is eligible to apply. A lottery system will be used to select the bridge grantees and each grantee will have to sign a grant agreement with the State of Vermont. Grantees will be responsible for picking up the bridge in Putney. The bridges are being built now and will be available later in the summer. Funding for these bridges comes from State Capitol funds and Clean Water Funds. Steel Bridge Applications are due August 10th.

Disaster Assistance for Primary Forest Products Businesses

Limited funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to reimburse up to 50% of the cost of stationary sawmilling equipment damaged or destroyed by fire, flood, or other disasters. Contact katharine.servidio@vermont.gov for more information.