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Apply now for Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Business Enhancement Grants!

The mission of the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Business Enhancement grant is available to farm, food, and forest businesses to support projects ranging from $20,000-35,000. Activities for these grants may include:  

  • Market development: accessing new markets and securing new customers, certification costs relevant to marketing (i.e., brand development, promotion, public relations)  
  • Marketing plan development: contracted work to build or enhance a business marketing plan and/or implement one or more marketing components  
  • Research and development: testing new systems or technology  
  • Infrastructure development: project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans, building and equipment costs  
  • Energy focused projects: lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation. Project costs can include equipment, installation, and/or technical assistance. 

Application Deadline: October 28, 2022 at 11:59 PM 

Award Notification: January 2023 

Estimated Project Date Start: February 2023 

For more information, visit https://workinglands.vermont.gov/businessgrants. Contact Clare Salerno (Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov, (802) 917-2637) with additional questions.