Sanders, Welch, Balint, and Scott Announce More Than $12 Million in Northern Border Regional Commission Investments for Vermont Communities

Dec 9, 2025
MONTPELIER, VT – The Vermont Congressional Delegation,Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.),Peter Welch (D-Vt.), andRepresentative Becca Balint (VT-At Large), along withGovernor Phil Scottand theNorthern Border Regional Commission (NBRC),announced NBRC’s Fall 2025 Catalyst Program, Forest Economy Program, and Timber for Transit awardees. Sixteen projects in Vermont will collectively receive over $12.2 million in funding to support initiatives that will enhance public health and environmental resilience, support school expansion and regional forestry jobs, bolster tourism, and facilitate long-term community development.
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’s Catalyst Program is instrumental in supporting projects that help Vermont’s rural communities thrive. This new federal funding will be critical in revitalizing rural economies in every corner of our state, from updating our aging water infrastructure, to expanding childcare access, to creating new community centers,”said the Vermont Congressional Delegation. “We look forward to seeing these investments improve Vermont communities and are proud to work with local partners to support projects that make life better for all Vermonters.”
“These strategic investments across Vermont will have important long-term impacts for our communities and pay dividends for future generations by supporting much needed infrastructure across the state,”said Governor Scott. “I want to thank our Congressional Delegation for their support.”
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 Fall Competition will support childcare access and workforce development, update essential transportation and water and wastewater infrastructure, expand housing development, reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects, and support wood heat, tourism, Vermont’s forest economy, and more.
The 2025 Catalyst Fall Competition, Forest Economy Program and Timber for Transit Awardeesinclude:
This is the second of two Catalyst funding rounds in 2025. Clickherefor a complete list of awardees. Learn more about how to apply for future NBRC grantshere.
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