MONTPELIER, VT – 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 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 Awardees include:  

• The City of Montpelier – $2,994,597: to replace aging water and sewer infrastructure and support redevelopment of the 133-acre Country Club Road site into a mixed-use neighborhood.  

• Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation – $1,940,715: to lead a multistate demonstration of nanocellulose-enhanced concrete in transportation infrastructure. The project will construct eight pilot installations across the Northern Border region, showcasing the environmental and economic benefits of using timber-derived materials. 

• The City of Vergennes – $1,000,000: to construct a new 1,280-foot city street with sidewalks and utilities to support the Vergennes North workforce housing development. 

• Northeast Kingdom Community Action, Inc. – $1,000,000: to expand the Lakemont Family Resource Center in Newport, Vermont, by adding 16 childcare slots, constructing three classrooms, and purchasing the building. The project will also support mobile service delivery to rural areas and create six new jobs. 

• Town of Shelburne – $1,000,000: to install an ultraviolet disinfection system as part of a larger wastewater treatment plant consolidation and upgrade. 

• Town of Waitsfield  – $1,000,000: to connect Waitsfield School to a new municipal wastewater system as part of a broader infrastructure project. The connection will replace aging septic infrastructure, support school expansion, and enable future residential and commercial tie-ins. 

• Vermont Public Service Department – $1,000,000: to support advanced wood heating systems and develop a fuel price comparison platform to promote low-grade wood use. The project will provide financial incentives for schools and municipalities and improve consumer access to wood fuel data. 

• The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) – $500,000: to launch a technical assistance program building capacity for municipalities to access the state’s new Community Housing & Infrastructure Program (CHIP). 

• Cambridge 360 – $489,020: to acquire and renovate the Cambridge Community Center in Jeffersonville, Vermont, preserving it as a vital hub for recreation, youth programs, and economic development. 

• Norwich Community Collaborative – $390,000: to complete the third phase of restoring the historic Norwich Grange Hall into a multi-purpose community center. 

• Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) – $375,000: to conduct a feasibility study for a new Welcome Center near the Canadian border in Highgate, VT. The study will evaluate site suitability, use of advanced wood products, and heating options for the facility. 

• Taproot Farm & Environmental Education Center – $294,400: to establish a permanent farm, recreation, and education campus on 60 acres in Lunenburg, Vermont. 

• Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission – $100,000: to conduct a feasibility study for redeveloping the 87 State Street Federal Building in downtown Montpelier. 

• Southern Vermont Health and Recreation Center Foundation, Inc. – $100,000: conduct pre-development planning for a new Connector building that will link its aquatic and fitness center with a historic facility. The project will include design work for a childcare center, wellness programming space, and public meeting areas. 

• HatchSpace – $36,225: to conduct a feasibility study for acquiring and improving its current facility in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont. The study will assess building conditions, financial models, and acquisition strategies to support HatchSpace’s mission of advancing craft and technical education. 

• Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission – $35,000: to conduct a feasibility study for downtown White River Junction infrastructure improvements, including a public plaza, parking facility, and geothermal energy options. 

This is the second of two Catalyst funding rounds in 2025. Click here for a complete list of awardees. Learn more about how to apply for future NBRC grants here.   

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