FOREST ECONOMY PROGRAM (FEP)

NBRC's Forest Economy Program is designed to support state-identified development plans for the regional forest economy and to assist in the industry’s evolution to include new technologies and viable business models.

The purpose of this program is to support the forest-based economy, and to assist in the industry’s evolution to include new technologies and viable business models across the 4-state NBRC region.

Successful projects support a broad range of forest-based economy initiatives such as, but not limited to, public infrastructure projects that directly support the forest industry; community development projects that support the diversified use of forest for economic activity; workforce training and development projects for the purpose of building the skills and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed for forest businesses; and marketing, communication and education projects that are paired with a public infrastructure, community development or workforce training or development project.  Basic research projects will not be considered. Preference will be given to applied research and demonstration projects that demonstrate a strong connection to industry.

FEP will give preference to proposals that:

  • Invest in the development and commercialization of technologies that create and grow new markets for low-grade forest harvest residuals.
  • Invest in workforce recruitment, development, and training to increase job placement across the forest product continuum.
  • Help to sustain and grow existing forest industry businesses and operations, such as through technical assistance.
  • Aid in the revitalization of rural communities through the diversified use of northern border forests for economic activity to include wood products and advanced materials manufacturing, as well as for other economic activity that utilizes northern border forests sustainably for the production of wood products and advanced materials manufacturing.

Leverage existing (or, in some cases, new) partnerships to impact multiple counties, states and/or the entire NBRC region, and/or have the potential to do so.

Forest Economy Program Award History

View a summary of awards that have been made through the NBRC's Forest Economy Program.

A pre-application is required to apply for FEP. 

For those considering applications in 2025, complete the PROJECT INTEREST FORM and contact the NBRC Forest Economy Program Manager Marina Caceres (Bowie), the NBRC Program Manager in the State(s) where the proposed project will take place, and/or a Forest Economy Program Advisory Board member. These individuals will be happy to assist you as you develop your projects and applications:

NBRC Forest Economy Program Manager

Marina Caceres (Bowie), mcaceres@nbrc.gov 603.724.5802

NBRC State Program Managers

Maine: Sarah Demers, BizAwards.DECD@maine.gov. 207.624.7448

New Hampshire: Ian Carmichael, Ian.M.Carmichael@livefree.nh.gov 603.419.9709

Vermont: Kristie Farnham, kristie.farnham@vermont.gov 802.398.5268

New York: Kyle Wilber, kyle.wilber@dos.ny.gov 518.473.3694

The Forest Economy Program will prioritize funding for projects that demonstrate both readiness and projected direct impacts on the region’s forest economy and communities. Projects must be consistent with the Program investment priorities of the Forest Economy Program, and where applicable, advance local forest economy initiatives, including but not limited to the following:

Forest Opportunity Roadmap Maine (FOR/Maine)

Maine Tech Hub

New Hampshire Forest Action Plan (with special attention to the goals and strategies listed under Focus Area – Forest Based Economy, starting on page 149)

Vermont Forest Future Strategic Roadmap

New York State Forest Action Plan (with special attention to the focus areas and strategies within Goal #3: Increase Forest Benefits for Humans and All Living Creatures)

Location Eligibility Guidance: The eligible NBRC service area includes 60 counties in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.  If your project is in the service area, it may be eligible for NBRC funds.  Locations outside the NBRC service area are NOT eligible to receive NBRC funds. See the full list of counties and designations contained in the NBRC Distress Criteria Report. 

Eligible Applicant Guidance:

  • State government (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York only)
  • Local governments (village, town, city and county)
  • Secondary and career technical centers
  • Other political subdivisions of States (regional planning commissions, authorities of the state)
  • Non-profit entities (see Program Manual for additional details)
  • Indian Tribes (federally recognized Indian tribes, see Program Manual for additional details)

For-profit entities, LLCs and other entities that are not a 501(c) are NOT eligible to apply for Forest Economy Program funding. 
 

FOREST ECONOMY PROGRAM TIMELINE 

 

NBRC Resources Page for Grants Management Information

Forest Economy Program One Pager - Click to download a full-size PDF:

  
 

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