Stowe Reporter • 19th December 2024

Stowe Electric gets $6M in federal funds for energy projects

Stowe Electric Department on Monday welcomed an entourage of federal officials who came bearing an early Christmas gift: $6 million in funding that will pay for a passel of green energy projects the utility has long been planning.

VTDigger • 11th December 2024

USDA invests $13.4 million to strengthen rural infrastructure in Vermont

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing in two Vermont cooperatives, awarding an $11.2 million loan to Washington Electric Cooperative and a $2 million grant to Windy Hollow Mobile Home Cooperative.

The North Star Monthly • 31st October 2024

NEK Broadband Launches USDA ReConnect Grant across 25 towns

Sarah Waring, USDA state director for Rural Development (RD) in Vermont and New Hampshire, announced that NEK Broadband won $2,847,276 from the USDA Community Connect Grant program to provide fiber-optic internet to Groton, Vermont.

Caledonian Record • 31st October 2024

Northeast Kingdom Broadband Celebrates Progress, Latest Funding

NEK Broadband in Brighton was the site of celebration on Monday, as Executive Director Christa Shute met with Senator Peter Welch and federal partners to highlight a $2.8 million Community Connect Grant that will connect 40 square miles in Essex County with high-speed internet.

Newport Daily Express • 31st October 2024

Fiber Optic Cable Grant To Cover 40 Square Miles in the Northeast Kingdom

A meeting on Wednesday was hosted at a NEK Broadband warehouse in Brighton to highlight a $2.8 million Community Connect Grant from the USDA, to cover 40 square miles in Essex County.

The Charlotte News • 29th October 2024

State officials tout innovative garage solar power funding

On Monday, the Vermont Bond Bank announced it had received $40 million for zero-interest funding from the federal government to help municipalities and school districts with low-interest loans for projects that address climate change.

Caledonian Record • 8th October 2024

Ryegate Power Plant Getting $1 Million To Capture Waste Heat

The Ryegate Biomass Power Plant was granted a million dollars in federal funding to capture waste heat in its power generation process.

Caledonian Record • 4th October 2024

NVRH Receives Grant For New Lab Equipment

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) has received a $59,500 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant to assist in purchasing a new chemistry analyzer for its laboratory.

Caledonian Record • 3rd October 2024

Soaring Foundation Cuts Ribbon On New Operations, Training Center

The Franconia Soaring Foundation cut the ribbon on a new teaching and administrative facility, courtesy of funding from state and federal partners

VTDigger • 23rd August 2024

Opinion — Sarah Waring: A watershed moment in local government

This commentary is by Sarah Waring of East Montpelier. She is state director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for Vermont and New Hampshire.In ‘regular’ times, USDA Rural Development staff helps communities navigate the administrative jungle of securing federal loans and grants, and applicants have the luxury to learn the programs, talk to other communities and stakeholders, and perform the required paperwork to create a complete application. During times not marred by debilit...

Mountain Times • 21st August 2024

Pittsfield’s Tweed Valley Travelers Receives$60K For Snowmobile Trail Grooming

On Friday, Aug. 16, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, celebrated major investments by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Vermont communities, totaling nearly $1.3 million.

Valley News • 5th August 2024

The Sharon Academy constructs new STEAM building

Four distinctive yurts used as classrooms at The Sharon Academy for nearly 20 years were relocated this summer to make way for a new 5,000-square-foot academic building, now under construction.

Caledonian Record • 18th July 2024

USDA, NBRC Award Big Grants For Catamount Arts, Franconia Rink

From promoting local arts to boosting outdoor recreation, Catamount Arts and the Franconia Rink Project each received $475,000 federal grant awards from the partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development and the Northern Border Regional Commission.

VTDigger • 25th April 2024

Final Reading: New USDA program aims to help towns access federal disaster relief

More than $37 million has been distributed so far in Public Assistance grants for the July 2023 floods, according to FEMA’s website. It’s unclear how many municipalities or projects are still waiting for approval.

Brattleboro Reformer • 26th January 2024

Allen Brothers, other Windham County firms, win USDA solar grants

Tim and Stacey Allen have been planning their solar project for close to two years, and this week they learned that the federal government is going to help them out in their bid for energy independence in a big way.

Concord Monitor • 19th December 2023

Micro Mama’s trying to cultivate a better future for agriculture, environment and health

The symphony of vegetables inside the fermentation tanks at Micro Mama’s – cabbage, carrots, and beets to name a few — are much more than healthy condiments and side dishes.

Caledonian Record • 11th December 2023

Three Local Towns Receive Grant Funds

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) announced Monday $2.85 million in funding for 11 economic-development projects in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont, including three local projects.

Caledonian Record • 1st December 2023

VTSU-Lyndon Benefits From USDA Rural Development Investment Grant

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Director for Rural Development in Vermont and New Hampshire, Sarah Waring, announced on November 30, the sum of $765,211 in grant funding for two Twin State institutions.

The Conway Daily Sun • 16th November 2023

Lower Bartlett Water Precinct gets millions

Federal, state and local officials celebrated Wednesday after it was announced that the Lower Bartlett Water Precinct has been given more than $6.4 million in grants and $15 million in loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Department of Rural Development.

Manchester Ink Link • 19th June 2023

USDA Secretary Vilsack Talks Food and Farming in Manchester

Last week, Mayor Joyce Craig welcomed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Commissioner Shawn Jasper to Manchester, as well as leaders at ORIS (Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success) and community members, to discuss efforts to ensure every resident has access to healthy food options.

New Hampshire Public Radio • 16th June 2023

USDA to invest $320 million to support food producers across rural America, including in NH

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Manchester Thursday to announce the USDA’s $320 million investment to strengthen local food supply systems in 19 states, including New Hampshire.

RochesterFirst • 15th June 2023

Agricultural producers and food businesses throught nation getting $320M boost from USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeding agricultural producers and food businesses with millions of dollars in investment funds to improve markets, create and strengthen jobs, control food prices and improve nutrition, Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday.

New Hampshire Union Leader • 21st April 2023

Road Reflections: New Hampshire is full of good energy

Every community in America needs access to modern and effective water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Woody Hollow, a resident-owned community (ROC) in Boscawen, had a system that had aged well beyond its use and was badly failing.

The Conway Daily Sun • 17th March 2023

Pappas, Waring tour Center Conway solar array

On a sunny blue-skied morning Thursday, U.S. Rep Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) joined Conway selectmen chair David Weathers, Selectman John Colbath and Town Engineer/Deputy Town Manager Paul Degli Angeli on a tour of the Aligned Capital Solar Array on the Morrill Tree Farm property at 1393 East Main St. in Center Conway.