Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch and Congresswoman Becca Balint, together with the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), announced August 25 that 13 Vermont communities will be receiving a combined $10.8 million from NBRC’s Catalyst Program. On Friday they will celebrate with Chris Saunders of the NBRC and Johnson Selectboard Chair Beth Foy the award to the town of Johnson of more than $861,000 to create a new light industrial/commercial park on Route 15. The total value of the project is $1.7 million and includes significant infrastructure improvements to the property.
The celebration will take place at 11:30 at the Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University-Johnson.
See full Vermont Catalyst award list and detail below.
NBRC’s Catalyst Program
“These funds will make a significant difference in Vermont committees across the state, including supporting clean water initiatives, investing in our agricultural economy, infrastructure, environment and more,” said Governor Scott. “I’m grateful for the close collaboration and partnership with NBRC, as well as Senator Welch, Senator Sanders, and Congresswoman Balint for their work at the federal level supporting these efforts.”
“In these difficult times, it is imperative that federal funding be available to strengthen Vermont communities, support local economies, and rebuild essential infrastructure,” said Senator Sanders. “From the construction and expansion of childcare centers to agricultural investments and water infrastructure improvements, these funds will improve the lives of Vermonters in real, effective, and deeply needed ways.”
“Support from the Northern Border Regional Commission has long helped build vibrant economies and healthy communities across our region - and this year’s awards are no exception,” said Senator Welch. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Vermont communities will see historic investments from the NBRC to revitalize local infrastructure, expand childcare services, and support local agriculture. It’s exciting news for communities across our state, and I’m grateful to the NBRC and to the Biden Administration for advancing these landmark investments.”
"Funding through the Northern Border Regional Commission has helped revitalize some of our communities that have been historically left behind,” said Representative Balint. “These investments will support developing infrastructure and agriculture while expanding childcare and education programs. I'm grateful for this state - federal partnership that brings historic funding to Vermonters."
Among the recipients, the towns of Killington ($2.5 million), Wilmington($1 million) and North Hero ($1 million) will receive funding to improve stormwater infrastructure, municipal water systems and more.
Neck of the Woods Childcare and Early Education Center will receive $425,000 to expand services, adding new classrooms to support Vermont families.
The NBRC was created by Congress in 2008 with the goal of alleviating hardship in the most economically distressed communities in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and New York. This year’s funding to Vermont is nearly double that of prior year investments, thanks to increases in the overall funding for the next 10 years that was championed in the last Congress by Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and then-Congressman Welch.
The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) on Wednesday announced $43.6 million in new awards, including nearly $20 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as part of the Commission’s inaugural Catalyst Program competition. The 66 Catalyst Awards will go to communities in the Commission’s member states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont and include a broad range of economic development initiatives such as projects that will: modernize and expand water and wastewater systems; revitalize transportation infrastructure; establish workforce development programs and facilities; grow outdoor recreation infrastructure and economies; and construct new childcare and healthcare facilities.
These projects are matched by public and private investments, resulting in $208.5 Million in total investment across the four-state NBRC region. With the addition of funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Commission increased the scale of investments in infrastructure projects and funded the largest awards in its history. These projects will unfold over the next three years, and all of this year’s awardees are listed on the NBRC’s website, www.nbrc.gov.
The 2023 Catalyst Program grant round was highly competitive, with 187 Applications received and more than $151 Million in funding requests. The Catalyst Program is designed to stimulate economic growth and inspire partnerships that improve rural economic vitality across the four-state NBRC region.
The slate of selected projects advance NBRC investment priorities to reach underserved communities and build a resilient region: 35 of the Commission’s awards are going to communities with less than 5,000 people, and 30 to communities and organizations who are receiving their first NBRC funding award.
”A hallmark of the NBRC is its ability to flexibly support a broad range of needs in rural communities in our region. That quality is a common thread among the awards the Commission is announcing today. These awards include central components of infrastructure upon which successful economies are built, and range from pipes, roads and fiber lines, to childcare programs, outdoor recreation infrastructure, working waterfronts, and everything in between. The Commission’s ability to incorporate that flexibility into grant making is directly attributable to the once in a generation support that came from President Biden and Congress working together to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the historic level of annual funding Congress included in last year’s spending bills,” said NBRC Federal Co-Chair Chris Saunders.
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and his vision for growing the economy from the middle out and bottom up – Bidenomics – is creating opportunity across the country. Already, as a result of legislation passed by President Biden, the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded $280 billion in funding for 37,000 infrastructure projects across the country.
Companies have announced over $500 billion in investments in the United States since President Biden took office, and the Administration has helped over 20 million households save money on their internet costs.
The funds for this program, and all NBRC programs, are available thanks to the support of the Congressional Delegations of all four NBRC states: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Depending on the availability of funds in 2024, the NBRC anticipates another round of Catalyst awards in 2024. Please refer to NBRC’s website, www.nbrc.gov, for announcements about current and future Funding Opportunities.
NBRC Catalyst Program Awards by State
NBRC Catalyst Program Awards in the State of Vermont
Awarded to: Town of Killington*
Project: Infrastructure improvements including a municipal water system and a redesigned roadway system which is required for the development of the Six Peaks Killington Village project (a village at the base of the ski resort).
Location of Project: Rutland County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $2,250,000.00
Total Project Amount: $23,602,436.00
*VT put this project forward for an additional $750,000 in EDA partnership funding consideration
Awarded to: Neck of the Woods Vermont, LLC
Project: Renovations of the second floor of the Neck of the Woods Childcare and Early Education Center building to expand childcare services adding new classrooms and new bathrooms, handicap access including an elevator, and
associated energy efficiency upgrades.
Location of Project: Washington County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $425,000.00
Total Project Amount: $850,000.00
Awarded to: Center for Agricultural Economy
Project: Renovations and interior fit-up of the 12,500-square-foot Hardwick Yellow Barn Business Accelerator building to expand agricultural and small business support services.
Location of Project: Caledonia County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $500,000.00
Total Project Amount: $1,696,788.00
Awarded to: Town of Wilmington
Project: The Route 9 Infrastructure Expansion will construct water/wastewater infrastructure along VT Routes 9 East/100 South to allow 22,000 square feet of underutilized space to become revitalized.
Location of Project: Windham County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $1,000,000.00
Total Project Amount: $2,472,000.00
Awarded to: Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation
Project: Renovation and construction of a new childcare center, Orange County Parent Child Center (OCPCC), Randolph. OCPCC Randolph is a partnership between GMEDC and OCPCC to redevelop a vacant building in Randolph into a childcare center and serving as a work-based learning center to support workforce development for the early care and education (ECE) industry.
Location of Project: Orange County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $750,000.00
Total Project Amount: $3,546,328.00
Awarded to: Town of North Hero
Project: Replacement of water main pipe along US Route 2 and construction of water storage tank allowing for improved water service reliability.
Location of Project: Grand Isle County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $1,000,000.00
Total Project Amount: $4,037,475.00
Awarded to: Town of Johnson
Project: Creation of a new light/industrial/commercial park in the town of Johnson. Infrastructure improvements will include a paved access road, foundational sewer collection lines, foundational water distribution lines, stormwater collection lines, treatment basin, and electric and telecommunication lines.
Location of Project: Lamoille County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $861,945.42
Total Project Amount: $1,723,890.84
Awarded to: The Center for Cartoon Studies
Project: Renovation of the “Telegraph Building” in White River Junction. Once renovated, the Telegraph Building will house a production lab, a learning center, original art archive, studio space, classrooms for on-location and online instruction, a public gallery, and a bookstore.
Location of Project: Windsor County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $971,315.00
Total Project Amount: $2,089,265.00
Awarded to: Friends of the Vergennes Opera House, Inc.
Project: Addition of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant upgrades to City Hall/Vergennes Opera House to increase accessibility. Upgrades include a new elevator tower, a walkway from the street to the new entrance, a
motorized life and ADA restroom.
Location of Project: Addison County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $300,000.00
Total Project Amount: $1,639,428.00
Awarded to: Maquam Bay of Missisquoi
Project: Redevelopment and renovation of the Abenaki tribal headquarters to expand space and organizational capacity to deliver health, nutrition, and recreational programs.
Location of Project: Franklin County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $500,000.00
Total Project Amount: $2,184,498.00
Awarded to: Town of Brighton
Project: Upgrades to a non-compliant and at-capacity wastewater treatment facility.
Location of Project: Essex County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $1,000,000.00
Total Project Amount: $4,867,137.00
Awarded to: Town of Greensboro
Project: Construction of a new Town-owned wastewater collection, conveyance, treatment, and soil-based disposal facility to replace failing on-site septic systems, protecting public health and the environment, and allowing for
housing and business development.
Location of Project: Orleans County (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $1,000,000.00
Total Project Amount: $9,049,768.00
Awarded to: Sterling College
Project: Development and launch of a new curricular component, Experiential Endeavors, focused on the agricultural, ecological, educational, recreational, and food systems sectors.
Location of Project: Caledonia, Lamoille and Orleans Counties (VT-01)
Grant Amount: $275,643.00
Total Project Amount: $589,099.00
Catalyst Program Summary of Applicants in Vermont:
Total Number of Applicants: 31
Total Amount of Funds Requested: $30,420,787.00
Total Number of Awards: 13
Total Amount of Funds Awarded: $10,833,903.42