Northern Border Regional Commission Announces 2024 Forest Economy Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2024
Contact: Marina Bowie, Program Manager
mbowie@nbrc.gov
(603) 369-3001
The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is pleased to announce preliminary details of the Forest Economy Program (FEP) grant application opportunity. With this program, the Commission intends to support the forest-based economy and to assist in the forest industry’s evolution to include new technologies and viable business models across the four-state NBRC region.
Fiscal Year 2024 federal appropriations have not been finalized. An estimated $4 million may be made available for awards under this FOA subject to the availability of future appropriations. Any selection and award under this FOA is subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
“The Commission’s Forest Economy Program recognizes that government has a role to play in supporting innovation in the forestry industry. We are excited about this funding opportunity, which is well suited for communities and institutions seeking to leverage our location in the Northern Forest as a means to grow the local and regional economy and increase connections to the working landscape,” said Chris Saunders, Federal Co-Chair of the NBRC.
“The Forest Economy Program is focused on growing economic development opportunities from one of the NBRC region’s critical and unique assets- the forest. From projects that are opening new markets for regionally sourced forest feedstocks, industry infrastructure investments, and workforce training initiatives, the program is supporting adaption and innovation in the forest sector to ensure that it remains a vibrant and vital part of the region’s rural economies. NBRC’s investment of another $4 million for two rounds of 2024 funding is a fantastic opportunity,” said Joe Short, Vice President, Northern Forest Center.
Two online information sessions will be available to provide interested applicants with a more in-depth presentation of the program. Sessions will be held on February 12 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and February 13 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. To access a program overview, eligibility information, or to register for one of the FEP presentations, please visit the Forest Economy Program page on the NBRC website.
These federal resources will be competitively awarded through two funding rounds. Applicants are required to express interest through a pre-application, which must be submitted using NBRC’s online Grants Management System by 5:00pm EST on March 15, 2024 [Round 1] or September 6, 2024 [Round 2]. Questions about eligibility and the pre-application or application should be directed to the NBRC’s Forest Economy Program Manager, Marina Bowie at mbowie@nbrc.gov or (603) 369-3001.
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.
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About the NBRC
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.t