Project Eligibility and Match Determination

All NBRC pre-applications and applications require matching funds (funds contributed by the applicant and/or outside sources) for proposed projects. To determine the match rate, NBRC is required by statute to annually assess the socioeconomic distress of the region. Projects located within NBRC's service area are eligible to apply for funding.

NBRC’s Service Area

  • Maine: Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington. 

  • New Hampshire: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, and Sullivan. 

  • New York: Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie*, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Washington, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming,Yates. 
    *With active awards in Schoharie County from another federal commission, the county is not currently eligible for NBRC funding in FY 2026 per NBRC's statute and has not been included in distress calculations.

  • Vermont: Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, Windsor.   

Service Area Distress Levels and Match Rates

Distress levels are evaluated for all locations within NBRC's service area on an annual basis and assigned a corresponding match rate requirement. 

The match rate for projects located within multiple communities, counties, or states will be calculated based on the average of all associated match rates. 

How to Find Your Project’s Match Rate 

NBRC has three methods to determine match based on the location(s) of the project. If a proposed project has a single location, any of the following tools can be used to determine match rate. For projects that span more than one location (workforce development, technical assistance, infrastructure in more than one community, etc.) the NBRC Match Estimator is the best tool for determining an accurate match rate.   

1. County and Community Match List

Includes a comprehensive list of each county and community within NBRC’s service area, and their assigned match rates. 

2. NBRC Resource Map

This interactive map allows users to click on a county or community to find its corresponding match rate. 

3. NBRC Match Estimator - Download File

This tool allows users to choose their county or community location(s) to generate match rate details. Users also have the option    to input their requested NBRC grant amount to generate an estimated budget. This tool works for all applications but is best for projects taking place within multiple locations.

> Watch a Match Estimator Tutorial

The Match Estimator has two tabs: 

  • Counties and Service Areas: Use this tab for projects that span a county, multiple counties, or entire NBRC state service area(s). Examples include:
    • A workforce development project designed to address healthcare worker shortages with training programs in 5 Vermont counties (use the Counties and Service Areas tab to select all five counties).  
    • A project launching a technical assistance program that will involve all NBRC-eligible counties within the state of Vermont (Use the Counties and Service Areas tab to select "Vermont - State Service Area"). 
       
  • Communities: Use this tab for projects that take place in or benefit a community or multiple communities. Examples include:
    • An infrastructure project taking place on Main Street in Keene, New Hampshire (Use the Communities tab to select Keene, NH).  
    • A building renovation project that will create a food hub serving Keene, NH and five surrounding communities (Use the Communities tab to select all six relevant communities).  
       

Ready to Submit a Pre-Application?  

The Grants Management System (GMS)  requires users to enter their project’s match rate and GEOID in the Locations tab while completing a pre-application.  For more information, please view our guidance on creating and submitting a pre-application. 
 

Additional Resources 

If your project is complex or your activities will impact an unknown set of recipients, please contact admin@nbrc.gov.