USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager announced yesterday that two Vermont towns were among 61 organizations in 46 states, the Western Pacific region and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico that will benefit from funding made available under the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program (RBEG).
The town of Shoreham was selected for a $59,457 grant to conduct a feasibility study in bulk processing and quick/long-term freezing to allow more regionally produced foods to be used in local institutions. The project will include market analysis, operational design of a USDA approved facility and financial strategy to convert a former apple storage warehouse to a multipurpose regional food center.
The town of Poultney was selected for a $31,800 grant to fund technical assistance in business planning, legal structure determination and marketing plans for the Stone Valley Community Market in downtown Poultney, Vermont. This rural community has shown overwhelming support for a ‘locally owned, community grown’ food market that would bring local, organic, and sustainable food and product options to the town.
‘The funding announced represents the Obama Administration's ongoing efforts to create economic and job opportunities in rural areas by ensuring that strategic investments are made in our small towns and cities," Tonsager said. "Rural businesses drive community revitalization by providing products and services to local residents. Projects like these spur important economic development and strengthen communities across the nation."
USDA Rural Development State Director Molly Lambert added: ‘These grants come at a critical time for these towns. The recipients are making investments that will stimulate future growth and enhance job creation for years to come.’
The RBEG program helps to finance and facilitate the development of new and existing businesses in rural America. Funds can be used for start-up and working capital loans, building and plant renovations, transportation improvements, project planning and other business needs. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement, and is not provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
In addition to yesterday’s announcement, USDA Rural Development announced in June funding for other Vermont organizations that have been selected to receive RBEG grants. The following is a complete list of recipients and their projects.
Barre Partnership (Barre 2000 & Beyond) - $30,000 grant to fund the implementation of a downtown marketing strategy to offset the negative impact of a two-year (2011-2012) major construction project along Main Street.
Better Bennington Corporation - $29,500 grant to fund increased downtown customer traffic through signage, marketing, web sites and an improved informational kiosk. The project will also see the opening of a new incubator space for crafters and artists, organic food growers and VT specialty products retailers.
Central VT Community Action Council (CVCAC) - $27,088 grant to fund the delivery of the Microenterprise Intensive Marketing Assistance Program to micro and small businesses in Central Vermont.
Chester Farmers Market, Inc. - $30,000 grant to fund impact mitigation of two bridge closures in summer 2011 through promotion and branding that will direct traffic to businesses.
Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation - $10,800 grant to fund a feasibility study of the expansion of the Royal Butcher slaughter facility in East Braintree.
Town of Johnson - $32,489 grant to fund two feasibility studies: (1) to expand operations of the Lamoille River Food Cooperative to a broad based, locally focused food center, and (2) to explore development of a light industrial park, including possible location of some aspects of the food center. Activities to be considered include a community kitchen, bakery, butcher shop, dry and cold storage, gleaning and food shelf services and a retail food co-op market.
Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce - $5,123 grant to fund an inventory of agricultural resources in the Lake Champlain Islands, the area with the longest growing season in Vermont. The study will consider farms, knowledge base, intellectual capital, agriculture based businesses and infrastructure with the goal of developing a series of concrete opportunities to expand the area’s food network.
Southeastern Vermont Community Action, Inc. - $25,000 grant to fund a feasibility study and develop a sustainable implementation plan for a Great Falls Regional Food Hub that will provide commercial kitchen space and counseling to growing specialty food businesses; storage and distribution space for local producers; and services to help connect low-income households with local healthy foods.
Springfield on the Move! - $30,000 grant to fund the revitalization of Springfield’s downtown, through marketing initiatives supporting current downtown businesses and encouraging new ones. ‘Operation Jump Start’ will address Springfield’s 50% downtown storefront vacancy rate with a downtown marketing analysis; branding and marketing project; technical assistance to businesses for store front design, façade renderings, and website improvements; and developing a Community Market, which will bring local foods and craft vendors downtown on the weekends to increase customer traffic.
More information about this program is available at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_rbeg.html
Through its Rural Development mission area, USDA administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in the nation’s capital and 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.
Source: USDA. MONTPELIER, VT, September 1, 2010 ‘