US Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and US Representative Peter Welch Tuesday announced the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) has been awarded a $27,000 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to help attract snowmobilers to Vermont.
VAST will use the funding to produce promotional films showcasing the towns of St. Johnsbury and Danville, highlighting points of interest, local businesses, and amenities. The grant will also enable VAST to create an online adventure planner featuring St. Johnsbury and Danville. VAST also plans to use a portion of the funding to initiate an educational advertising campaign to promote the construction and maintenance of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, a premiere four-season multiple use recreation trail spanning Northern Vermont. Sanders previously secured a $5.2 million grant for construction of the 93-mile trail, which is set to begin this summer.
In a joint statement, Leahy, Sanders and Welch said: ‘Snowmobilers are a pillar of Vermont’s recreation economy. Each winter they help support jobs at general stores, hotels, restaurants and retail establishments along the VAST trail network and beyond. This grant will help attract more snowmobilers to the region and create economic opportunities for many small businesses.’
The grant, a Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG), is funded by USDA’s Rural Development office. RBEG funds are used to help community organizations partner with private business to create jobs and economic opportunities.
‘On behalf of VAST and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Committee (LVRTC), we are very pleased to receive funding through the RBEG program,’said VAST Executive Director Alexis Nelson. ‘This is positive news in support of our mission in developing the LVRT into a four season multiple use recreation trail and assisting our efforts in promoting the trail and the adjacent communities.’
The grant was part of a national announcement by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in which he said: "Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in small towns and rural communities, just as they are in our biggest cities. USDA supports small businesses by providing job training, business development opportunities, strategic community planning and other resources. We're focused on making sure that Main Street businesses have the tools they need to grow."
Congressional delegation (TUESDAY, June 18, 2013)