FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2021
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation
Contact:
Emma Hanson, Wood Energy Coordinator
Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources
802-622-4187, Emma.Hanson@vermont.gov
Grant Program Supports Permitting Costs for Value-Added Forest Products Businesses
Montpelier, VT – The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) announced the availability of grant funds to support businesses engaged in adding value to forest products with costs related to permitting.
The Vermont Value-Added Forest Products Permitting Assistance Grant Program (FPPA Grants) has $25,000 to award grants ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Funds for this program are State funds allocated by the Vermont Legislature and signed into law by Governor Scott in Act 83 in 2019.
To be eligible, businesses must be located in Vermont and be primarily engaged in adding value to forest products, such as sawmills, firewood processors, and furniture makers. Businesses that are limited to the activities of logging and forestry are not eligible.
“This program provides much-needed assistance with the permitting costs many of these businesses face,” said Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder. “These businesses are critical to our state, providing a local source for forest products we use in our lives every day, supporting our rural communities and economies, and maintaining our forested landscape and its many benefits we all enjoy.”
Grants may be used to pay for expenses associated with State and local permit application fees, project consultation costs, engineering and siting costs, and expert witness testimony for permitting of land use, equipment and infrastructure.
Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis.
For more information and to complete the application, visit https://fpr.vermont.gov/FPPAGrants.
###