Resources

  • State

     
    • Vermont Technical Assistance Grant 

      • The Regional Development Corporations (RDCs) of Vermont will coordinate technical assistance to businesses and organizations impacted by COVID trying to adapt to new practices, retrofit their physical spaces, and access new technology.

      • Grants for technical assistance (TA) can range depending what services are needed.

      • Businesses seeking TA AND consultants interested in providing TA can sign up NOW.

      • ​Webinar recordings and applications available here: https://www.vermonteconomicdevelopment.com/cnpp

    • VT Utility Assistance
      • Currently available for renters as part of the state rental and homeowner relief programs.
    • VT Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP)
      • Rental assistance is currently available. Eligible applicants include renters who have a household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) Vermont Income Limits. 
      • Assistance resources are available to help applicants as well as provide mediation services.
    • Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP)
      • Assistance program that provides funding to eligible Vermont homeowners to prevent home foreclosure and homeowner displacement. This can include assistance with overdue mortgage payments, homeowners association fees, property taxes, and/or utilities.
      • Applications are NOW available. Homeowners can check eligibility and apply here.
    • Vermont Community Loan Fund - Recovery Loan
      • The Vermont Recovery Loan Fund provides financing to businesses and organizations, both for- and nonprofit, that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
      • Applicants must demonstrate revenue loss, temporary business shutdown, or an increase in expenses due to COVID-19 impacts to be eligible. Loans from $5,000 to $75,000 are available, with rates generally 0% for the first two years, and then fixed at 3%. Loans are available until funds are exhausted.

    Federal

    Note: These resources are not all specifically targeted toward COVID Relief, but support recovery efforts and resilience.

    • Meat & Poultry Processing Grants
      • Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP): 
        • The Request for Applications is open for Phase I Gap Financing Grants. This grant is open to both new and existing facilities with greatest near-term impact. Phase II funds available Summer 2022.
      • Meat & Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants (MPIRG): 
        • Grants for meat and poultry processing businesses to make improvements such as expanding existing facilities, modernizing processing equipment and meeting packaging, labeling, and food safety requirements needed to achieve a Federal Grant of Inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or to operate under a state’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment program.
    • USDA Value-Added Producer Grant 
      • Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation, are eligible to apply.
        • ​​​​​Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product.
        • Examples of planning activities include: conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product.
        • Examples of working capital expenses include: Processing costs; Marketing and advertising expenses; Some inventory and salary expenses.
    • USDA Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) 
      • LFPP funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food business enterprises to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
      • Grants can be used for the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise or to improve or expand a food business that supports locally and regionally produced agricultural products and food system infrastructure by performing feasibility studies, market research, training and technical assistance for the business enterprise and/or for producers working with the business enterprise. 
      • More information here.

    ADDITIONAL  RESOURCES:

    • VT Farm & Forest Viability Program Water Quality Grants
      • Grants up to $40,000 are available through VHCB's Farm & Forest Viability Program for on-farm, capital improvements that will benefit water quality.
      • Any farm with a gross income at least $15,000 or that is required to comply with Vermont's Required Agricultural Practices is eligible to apply. 
      • If you or a farmer you know is interested in applying, please contact Betsy McGavisk at @email for more information.

     

    • Farm First
      • Services to support farmers & family members experiencing a variety of challenges that cause stress; free of cost.
    • Value-Added Forest Products Permitting Assistance Grant
      • VT Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation has a grant available to pay for expenses associated with State and local permit application fees, project consultation costs, engineering and siting costs, and expert witness testimony necessary for permitting. Grants can pay for up to 50% of project costs and range from $500 to $5,000.