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Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Requests Service Provider Proposals

September 27, 2023

Montpelier, VT - The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) seeks fiscal year (FY) 2024 service provider proposals to build executive and marketing business skills for working lands enterprises (farm, food, and/or forest products). In using the terminology executive and marketing business skills, WLEB refers to the core skills that are associated with strong business acumen and management of an entrepreneur’s business. 

The WLEB invests in business and technical assistance service providers who work directly with working lands enterprises to support them as they grow, pivot, and adapt to an ever-changing context. Proposed work can target enterprises in all stages of business development, from pre-venture through established operations. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023.

Each awarded contract will have a one-year time frame, with a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum of $100,000, with the option of up to two (2) one-year contract renewals contingent upon available funding, performance, and WLEB discretion. 

Proposals must be sent to Elizabeth Sipple, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Manager, in a single PDF file to Elizabeth.Sipple@vermont.gov. Proposals will be reviewed in November 2023 by WLEB. Project decisions will be communicated in December 2023. The earliest project start date is January 1st, 2024. 

For more details, visit the Contract Opportunities page and read the RFP 

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.  

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