Press Releases

Today, the Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At Large), along with Governor Phil Scott and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC)announced NBRC’s Spring 2025 Catalyst Program awardees. Eleven projects in Vermont will receive a cumulative $13.7 million in funding to support initiatives that will increase market access for Vermont food producers, renovate historic and community gathering sites, and upgrade aging infrastructure and municipal drinking water systems. 

Established in 2008, the NBRC is a Federal-State partnership in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, designed to stimulate economic growth and inspire collaboration to improve rural economic vitality across the four-state NBRC region. 

“The Northern Border Regional Commission plays a crucial role in supporting rural economies and communities in Vermont. These funds will be a catalyst for economic growth in rural communities across our state–from renewing vital drinking water infrastructure to renovating historic buildings and community gathering spaces,” said the Vermont Congressional Delegation. “We’re pleased to see these projects receive funding to help communities in every corner of the Green Mountain State grow and thrive.” 

“Investing in our communities and fixing aging infrastructure, is key to addressing many of the housing and affordability challenges we’re facing in the state,” said Governor Scott. “I want to thank the congressional delegation for their advocacy for this funding as well as the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and NBRC for their work to support these important projects.” 

“The slate of awards approved by the Commission represent a generational investment in local economies across Northern New England and New York. This public investment in infrastructure will directly lead to the creation of new jobs and businesses, housing construction and improved economic opportunity and vitality in rural communities,” said NBRC Federal Co-Chair Chris Saunders. 

“This grant will have a huge impact on our community, and we are so grateful that this resource exists to make these improvements possible. With these funds, the Bolton Valley community will be able to move forward with a much-needed wastewater plant upgrade and set the stage for new residential development. These funds will move the needle on these projects. We truly cannot overstate the impact,” said Lindsay Deslauriers, President, CEO of Bolton Valley Water and Community Development Co. 

When evaluating potential projects, the Catalyst Program considers project readiness, economic impacts, impacts on Vermont’s skilled workforce, project location, regional input and priorities, and the project’s transformational nature. Awarded projects in the 2025 Catalyst Spring Competition will support essential transportation and water and wastewater infrastructure, expand access to child care, and restore vital economic and social hubs for the rural communities, and more. 

 The 2025 Catalyst Spring Competition Awardees include:  

·         Bennington County Industrial Corporation (Bennington County) – $3,000,000: 

·         Develop essential transportation and water/wastewater infrastructure, supporting long-term economic revitalization in the Putnam Block of downtown Bennington. 

·         Bolton Valley Water and Community Development Co. (Chittenden County) – $3,000,000:  

·         Upgrade the community wastewater plant and construct a new road to support housing and economic growth.  

·         Rutland City (Rutland County) – $3,000,000:  

·         Modernize Downtown Rutland’s infrastructure, enhancing economic growth and resilience.  

·         Town of Highgate (Franklin County) – $1,000,000:  

·         Construct a community wastewater system, enhancing infrastructure for residents, businesses, and public spaces in Highgate Center. 

·         Town of Rochester (Windsor County) – $1,000,000:  

·         Re-purpose the former Rochester High School into a multi-use community hub.  

·         Town of Woodstock (Windsor County) – $868,858.52: 

·         Upgrade its municipal drinking water system, increasing pressure and capacity to support new housing and business development.  

·         Benson Village Trust, Inc. (Rutland County) – $500,000:  

·         Rebuild the Benson Village Store, restoring a vital economic and social hub for the rural community of Benson, Vermont.  

·         Food Connects (Windham County) – $499,385.50:  

·         Expand its storage and distribution infrastructure, increasing market access for Vermont food producers and supporting rural economic development. 

·         Canaan Naturally Connected, Inc. (Essex County) – $449,044.00:  

·         Renovate a historic Episcopal Church into the Canaan Community Center, a vital hub for economic and social engagement in rural Essex County, Vermont. 

·         Southeast Vermont Transit, Inc. (Windham County) – $282,078.00: 

·         Convert Springfield, Vermont’s fixed-route bus system, into a free, on-demand micro transit service.  

·         Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary (Orange County) – $100,000:  

·         Conduct a feasibility study for expanding childcare facilities and outdoor recreation infrastructure, addressing critical service gaps in rural Vermont.  

Read more from NBRC here. The NBRC’s grants management system will open for Fall Round pre-applications in August 2025. Learn more about how to apply here.  

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