MONTPELIER — The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) announced the availability of a new grant program to support businesses engaged in adding value to forest products with costs related to permitting. 

The Vermont Value-Added Forest Products Permitting Assistance Grant Program (FPPA Grants) has $30,000 total to award grants ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Funds for this program
are State funds allocated by the Vermont Legislature and signed into law by Governor Scott in Act 83 in 2019.

To be eligible, businesses must be in Vermont and be primarily engaged in adding value to forest products, such as sawmills, firewood processors and furniture makers. Businesses that are limited to the activities of logging and forestry are not eligible.

“This program provides much-needed assistance with the permitting costs many of these businesses face,” says Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder. “These businesses are critical to our state, providing a local source for forest products we use in our lives every day, supporting our rural communities and economies, and helping to keep our landscape forested.”

Grants may be used to pay for expenses associated with state and local permit application fees, project consultation costs, engineering and siting costs, and expert witness testimony for permitting of land use, equipment and infrastructure.
Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information and to complete the application, visit fpr.vermont.gov/FPPAGrants.