Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, and Congresswoman Becca Balint, along with the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), announced the recipients of the NBRC's Fall 2025 Catalyst Program. Thirteen projects in Vermont will receive a cumulative $8.9 million in funding. Projects include mixed-use redevelopment planning, community spaces, childcare expansion, and upgrades to essential water, wastewater, and transportation municipal infrastructure to support workforce housing.

Established in 2008, the NBRC is a Federal-State partnership in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York designed to stimulate economic growth and inspire collaboration to improve rural economic vitality across the NBRC region. NBRC encourages projects that take a creative approach to accomplishing those goals.

"These strategic investments across Vermont will have important long-term impacts for our communities and pay dividends for future generations by supporting much needed infrastructure across the state," said Governor Scott. "I want to thank our Congressional Delegation for their support."

"The Northern Border Regional Commission's Catalyst Program is instrumental in supporting projects that help Vermont's rural communities thrive. This new federal funding will be critical in revitalizing rural economies in every corner of our state, from updating our aging water infrastructure, to expanding childcare access, to creating new community centers,"said the Vermont Congressional Delegation. "We look forward to seeing these investments improve Vermont communities and are proud to work with local partners to support projects that make life better for all Vermonters."

The 2025 Catalyst Fall Competition Awardees:

• Cambridge 360 Inc. (Lamoille County) $489,020: Acquire and renovate the Cambridge Community Center in Jeffersonville, preserving it as a vital hub for recreation, youth programs, and economic development

• Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (Washington County) $100,000: Conduct a feasibility study for redeveloping the 87 State Street Federal Building in downtown Montpelier to explore flood-resilient, mixed-use options.

• City of Vergennes (Addison County) $1,000,000: Construct a new 1,280-foot city street with sidewalks and utilities to support the 130-unit Vergennes North workforce housing development, while also improving transportation and water infrastructure.

• Northeast Kingdom Community Action, Inc. (Orleans County) $1,000,000: Expand the Lakemont Family Resource Center in Newport by adding 16 childcare spots, three classrooms, purchasing the building, and extending mobile services to rural areas.

• Norwich Community Collaborative Inc. (Windsor County) $390,000: Restoring the historic Norwich Grange Hall into a community center with ADA-compliant facilities and infrastructure to support senior services, childcare, and community programming.

• Southern Vermont Health and Recreation Center, Inc. (Windsor County) $100,000: Conduct pre-development planning to link aquatic and fitness center with a historic facility. This includes design work for a childcare center and public meeting areas.

• Taproot Farm & Environmental Education Center (Essex County) $294,400: Establish a 60-acre farm, recreation, and education campus in Lunenburg to support agriculture, youth programs, and tourism.

• The Hatch Inc. (Windham County) $36,225: Conduct a feasibility study to assess building conditions, financial models, and acquisition strategies to support HatchSpace's mission of advancing craft and technical education.

• Town of Shelburne (Chittenden County) $1,000,000: Install an ultraviolet disinfection system to improve water quality in Lake Champlain, reduce long-term operating costs, and ensure reliable wastewater services.

• Town of Waitsfield (Washington County) $1,000,000: Connect Waitsfield School to a new municipal wastewater system that will support school expansion and enable future residential and commercial tie-ins.

• Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (Windsor County) $35,000: Conduct a feasibility study for downtown White River Junction infrastructure improvements, including a public plaza and parking facility.

• Vermont League of Cities and Towns (Statewide) $500,000: Launch a technical assistance program for municipalities to ensure equitable access and local capacity for the Community Housing and Infrastructure Program.

• Washington County-Montpelier Hall (Washington County) $2,994,597: Replace water and sewer infrastructure for the 133-acre Country Club Road site, including a new pump station, utility upgrades, and road construction to enable 300 new housing units.

Read more from NBRC here.

###