The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI), a joint initiative between the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, recently released its 2014 Annual Report.
Contact:
Alison Kosakowski
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets
802-272-4547
Susan Warner
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
802-595-2470
Mary-Kay Swanson
Office of the Vermont Attorney General
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative began in 2012 to grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy, from individual enterprises to industry sectors. To date, the Working Lands Enterprise Board has invested in 74 agriculture and forestry projects, distributing $2.1 million dollars in Working Lands funds, and leveraging an additional $3.1 million dollars in matching funds. All fourteen counties have been impacted by the program.
*note to editors: for Farm Show photos from previous years, visit https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152395058960344.954220.122396850343&type=1&l=43725fbb7b
The Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) seeks proposals from interested, qualified persons familiar with and experienced in the agriculture, forestry, and forest products enterprise financing sector.Qualified contractors will possess a working knowledge of the financing of working lands businesses, to research and draft a blueprint for the financial tools outlined on the Vermont Department of Economic Development Business to Business Bid System: http
Today, The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) announces the availability of $1 million in grant funds for essential, catalytic investments in Vermont’s farm and forest economy, from individual enterprises to service providers to supply chain partnerships. These grants will fund projects that enhance Vermont’s economy, culture, and communities. This year, funds for local food market development projects, previously solicited through a separate request for proposals (the Local Food Market Development Program) will be allocated through the WLEB grant process.
The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB), in collaboration with the St. Albans-based Yellow Wood Associates (YWA), is pleased to announce the commencement of an in-depth analysis of the forestry and wood products industry in Vermont. With direction from the WLEB, YWA will engage stakeholders across all sectors of Vermont's forest and wood products economy to better understand the current state of the industry and identify opportunities for future strategic investment.
The Working Lands Enterprise Board announces this year’s grant recipients - 37 projects for $1.1 million in grants reaching every county in Vermont (8 forestry projects, 28 agriculture projects, 1 ag and forestry project) and leveraging $1.8 million in matching funds, building upon last year’s initial investment of $1 million. This year, the program further invests in job creation, innovation, sustainability, and increased income.
Agency of Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross, Agency of Commerce and Community Development Deputy Secretary Lucy Leriche, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder, and the Working Lands Enterprise Board will announce the 2nd round of Working Lands grant recipients.
When: Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Arrival - 10am
Press Event - 10:30am – 11:45am
Optional Tour - 11:45am – 12:30pm
The Working Lands Enterprise Board announces this year’s grant recipients from its “Enterprise Investment” area awarding just under $300,000 of $1.2 million available to 19 grantees in 11 counties of the state representing the agriculture, forestry and forest products sectors, (3 forestry projects and 16 agriculture projects), leveraging over $350,000 in matching funds.
