Farm Bill Divided Up

Details: Created on Tuesday, 16 September 2014 19:30; Written by Yolanda Liang

farm bill St. Johnsbury- $2.3 million in funding for rural development in Vermont, under the new Farm Bill, has been awarded to 13 organizations across the state, through 16 grants and loans by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funding will be utilized to foster job growth, economic development and community initiatives.

The Northern Community Investment Corporations (NCIC) has received one million dollars to make loans to small businesses, $100,000 dollars to create a business plan and establish priorities for broadband in the Northeast Kingdom, $100,000 to help businesses transition from fossil fuels to biomass heating, and $250,000 dollars to provide technical assistance to small businesses.

The NCIC is a non-profit, certified Community Development Financial Institution working to address regional economic challenges. It focuses on not only building partnerships and developing creative and effective solutions for individual businesses, communities and the region, but also offering a strong business climate and diverse employment opportunities.

The NCIC senior project manager Mike Welch said, "it also supports the businesses that are here in the logging and wood forrest industry, not only for the loggers, the companies that manufacture the boilers, but also the people that deliver the pellets. It helps the local economy. That's why this is an eligible project for the USDA grant program."

The Burke Area Chamber of Commerce was given $69,000 grants to increase awareness of the area's tourism attractions.

The Northeast Kingdom Travel and Tourism Association (NEKTTA) has administered the regional marketing program for the Northeast Kingdom since 1991. The Burke Area Chamber of Commerce is one of the 9 area Chambers of Commerces represented by the NEKTTA.

"We have no business going out there and saying this is how you should market yourself." Gloria Bruce, the executive director of Northeast Kingdom Travel & Tourism Association said.

She also said, "They know who their consumers are. They know who they want to invite into their home. So, it's really part of the process for them to establish their audiences and their experiences and develop that into market messaging. We are really just a coach trying to help them do that."