Press Release

Welch Delivers for Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom 

Feb 6, 2026

Welch secured federal funding to help build new pharmacies, support farmers and kids, and create jobs in the NEK 

Welch secured nearly $60 million total for Vermont communities 

BURLINGTON, VT – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today announced that he has secured $58.68 million in federal funds to support 38 Vermont projects, including projects in the Northeast Kingdom, Senator Welch nominated project recipients through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process. 

These funds will support all Vermont communities, including communities in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom: 

  • $2,000,000 for the Vermont Army National Guard to construct a readiness center in Northeast Vermont. (shared project)
  • $1,400,000 for Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital to construct new pharmacies in Caledonia County to address the recent loss of pharmacies in Caledonia towns.  
  • $1,000,000 for Craftsbury Saplings to expand available childcare slots to meet the needs of the community and add nine new full-time jobs.  
  • $100,000 for the Center for Agricultural Economy for farm-to-school education and local food school nutrition.  

“I fought hard to secure nearly $60 million in federal funding for Vermont through the Congressionally Directed Spending process—I’m proud this money will be invested right back into Vermont communities, including in the NEK. This funding will help build new pharmacies, create jobs and support students, children, and families right here in Vermont,” said Senator Welch. 

Senator Welch’s CDS wins also include projects that will benefit Vermonters in the NEK and across the State, including:  

  • $12,000,000 for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) to support the creation of permanently affordable rental housing and the development of shelters in Vermont. (shared project
  • $2,000,000 for the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity for home repair and remediation. This is expected to support 120 homes over a five-year period.  
  • $1,187,000 for the Vermont Department of Corrections for peer recovery coaches at six correctional facilities and 12 probation and parole offices across Vermont.  
  • $750,000 for VHCB to expand the Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program’s capacity to serve working lands businesses, with a focus on beginning farmers and businesses.  
  • $375,000 for the American Association of State Climatologists to prepare Vermont’s first comprehensive drought plan, create an inundation flooding platform to better predict flood risks, and more.  
  • $250,000 for the Vermont Department of Economic Development to provide technical assistance to small and medium enterprises in responding to an increase in costs associated with tariffs.  

View the full list of projects championed by Senator Welch here.   

Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding was included in a $1.2 trillion bipartisan funding agreement that included 11 of the 12 annual appropriation bills, including Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; Financial Services and General Government; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. 

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