March 21, 2019 / Montpelier, VT - The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) and governing board (WLEB) were created by the legislature in 2012 to stimulate economic development in the agricultural and forestry sectors. WLEI is a collaborative effort between the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. WLEB, which finalizes all funding decisions, achieves this goal by making investments across businesses and service providers in critical leverage points which will have the highest return on investment. This initiative supports Vermont entrepreneurs by providing financial assistance to help innovate and grow their business while also creating jobs, building infrastructure, and promoting growth in economies and communities of Vermont’s working landscape.
For 2019, the Working Lands Enterprise Board deployed $823,000 in grants and contracts, to (18) Agriculture and Forestry businesses and service providers around the State. Part of the strategic plan for this year was the creation of Industry Impact grants for projects ranging from $50,000-$150,000. These projects must impact the supply chain for low grade wood or dairy, two industries determined by the WLEB in need of larger investments to achieve viability.
|
Businesses (Grants) Gagnon Lumber. Inc. |
$120,000 |
Rutland |
|
Kirby Mulch Company LLC |
$130,000 |
Caledonia |
|
Five Generations Farmstead Creamery |
$150,000 |
Orleans |
|
Agricola Farm, LLC |
$50,000 |
Addison |
|
Footprint Farm LLC |
$14,700 |
Addison |
|
Bread & Butter Farm, LLC |
$20,000 |
Chittenden |
|
Rockledge Farm Woodworks |
$25,000 |
Windsor |
|
Fisher Brothers Farm |
$20,000 |
Chittenden |
|
Ardelia Farm & Co. |
$19,910 |
Orleans |
|
Rebop Farm, LLC |
$25,000 |
Windham |
|
Beaver Meadow Consulting |
$23,600 |
Windsor |
|
Karim Farm and Creamery |
$20,000 |
Caledonia |
|
K.J. Pratt Logging and Tree Service LLC |
$15,000 |
Chittenden |
VAAFM Trade Show Assistance Grants $30,000 All 14 counties
|
Service Providers (Grants) Vermont Wood Works Council |
$20,000 |
All 14 counties |
|
UVM Extension |
$19,943 |
All 14 counties |
|
Intervale Center |
$19,965 |
All 14 counties |
|
Center for Women & Enterprise |
$20,000 |
Bennington, Caledonia, Essex, Orleans, Windham |
Service Providers (Contract)
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board $80,000 All 14 counties
Since its legislative inception in 2012, the Working Lands Enterprise Board has invested over $5.3 million dollars in 184 projects affecting every county of the state, leveraging over $8.6 million in additional funds.
For questions, please contact:
Lynn Ellen Schimoler
Senior Agricultural Business Development / Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets
802-622-4477