Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) , Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development , Energy , and Credit , today announced the delivery of more than $1 million in federal funding, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Rural Development (RD), to support Vermont farmers and small businesses. This announcement follows a months-long effort by the Senator and partners to release the federal funds. The funding, provided through USDA-RD’s Rural Business Development Grants, will support eight projects in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom (NEK) and deliver technical assistance and counseling to small businesses, farmers, and agricultural producers, in addition to creating 120 new jobs. “President Trump’s disastrous economic agenda has put rural communities in a tailspin—everyday Americans are struggling to stay afloat, and Vermont is no exception,” said Senator Welch . “Vermonters have been waiting on this funding for months. Now that it’s finally here, it will make a world of difference and open doors for farmers and small businesses in Vermont’s NEK by providing assistance and counseling–not to mention creating over 120 new jobs. I’ll continue fighting to bring federal dollars back to Vermont to boost job creation and economic development in every corner of our state.” The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) USDA RD Rural Business Development Grants include: $200,000 for the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) in Caledonia County to provide technical assistance for the benefit of small businesses in the NEK, including supporting financial management, legal assistance, feasibility studies, and more. $199,966 for The Center For An Agricultural Economy in Caledonia County to sustain technical assistance activities, including supporting consultation and strategic guidance for small and emerging farms and food businesses in the NEK. $131,350 for the Newport City Renaissance Corporation in Orleans County to explore the feasibility of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District in downtown Newport. TIF designations help stimulate the economy in underserved areas by providing incentives for developers and funding institutions to supply capital for major infrastructural improvements and projects that draw businesses, residents, and tourists to the area. $125,000 for the Brighton Community Forum in Essex County to expand its reach and visitor numbers through technical assistance. The funding will support new event creation, establish a steady income stream from implementing performance fees, and create print and digital marketing campaigns in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom (NEK). $116,284 for Vermont Farm-to-School in Orleans County to provide technical assistance for agricultural producers in the NEK. The funding will address truck routing and on-farm pick-up options, leading to added inventory capacity and expanded opportunities to sell projects to wholesale and institutional markets. $99,942 to the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board to provide tailored, one-on-one business coaching and technical assistance to working lands businesses in the NEK. This funding will help small business focused on working lands receive guidance on marketing, administrative and capacity planning to establish and sustain their operations. $99,725 for the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative in Caledonia County to build business and workforce resilience in the NEK. This funding will enable the NEK Collaborative to plan, promote, and execute its annual NEK summit. $73,353 for Saint Johnsbury Works! in Caledonia County to provide technical assistance in the NEK, including supporting activities that increase the organizational capacity of small area enterprises. ###