(Woodstock, VT)— Today, the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) announces the funding of 5 projects under a Memorandum of Agreement signed between the NBRC and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to amplify both agencies’ economic development impact in Northern Border communities. The NBRC has received a special appropriation since 2018 for these awards, which has resulted in working closely with the EDA to award funds to projects that meet the strategic objectives of both agencies. Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (Addison, Rutland & Windsor Counties, VT) – received $526,375: This project supports construction of key sections (10 mi) of the Velomont Trail in the Towns of Chittenden, Rochester, and Hancock, as well as a new year-round ADA accessible backcountry hut in Chittenden. The Velomont Trail and Hut Network will be a statewide, multi-use, non-motorized trail for mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
“This is a once in a lifetime recreational opportunity for Vermont,“ said Pete Fellows of TRORC, “TRORC is excited to secure funding to get this project really rolling!”. “It is exciting to see the partnership between NBRC and EDA continue to grow – through this MOA and in other areas of our work,” said NBRC Federal Co-Chair Harold B. Parker. He added: “The funds that support this partnership allow the NBRC to make critical investments in the region.” “EDA is pleased to work with the NBRC to support local strategies designed to boost the competitiveness of the Northern Border region,” said Dana Gartzke, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “We wish these communities the best as they work to diversify and grow the regional economy.” The funds for this program, and all NBRC programs, are available thanks to the support of the Congressional Delegations of all four NBRC states: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.
About the Northern Border Regional Commission (www.nbrc.gov)
Created in 2008, the Northern Border Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership whose mission is to help alleviate economic distress and encourage private sector job creation in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. In its twelve-year history, the Commission has awarded 287 grants amounting to more than $72 Million across the four states through its primary Economic & Infrastructure Development (EID) grant program and other special initiatives.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.
TRORC provides professional planning, mapping, facilitation, grant writing, and project management services for its thirty member towns in east-central Vermont.
For more information about this program or any other effort being conducted by TRORC, contact Peter Gregory at 457-3188 or via email at [email protected].