Governor Scott, Senator Sanders, Senator Welch, and Congresswoman Balint Announce $7.62 Million in Northern Border Regional Commission Grants for Vermont Communities

Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, and Congresswoman Becca Balint, together with the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), today announced that seven Vermont communities will receive a combined $7.6 million from NBRC's Catalyst Program.

"These are important investments and will help us continue revitalizing rural parts of the state," said Governor Phil Scott. "I want to thank the NBRC for their close partnership and collaboration as well as our congressional delegation for their work at the federal level to support this program."

"The federally-funded Northern Border Regional Commission is essential to ensuring the success of projects that invest in rural economies and communities. This year's funding will support projects that help protect clean water, modernize healthcare facilities, revitalize downtowns, and improve our transportation system," said the Vermont Congressional Delegation. "We look forward to seeing these projects get underway to start improving the lives of all Vermonters."

When evaluating potential projects, the Catalyst Program considers project readiness, economic impacts, impacts on Vermont's skilled workforce, project location, regional input and priorities, and the project's transformational nature. The NBRC Catalyst Program also offers a fall round of funding. Awarded projects in the 2026 Catalyst Spring awards include replacement of a skilled nursing facility, stormwater and infrastructure improvements, as well as acquisition of a vacant property in downtown Newport.

The complete list of Spring 2026 awardees can be found below:

Applicant Name: Canaan Fire District #2

Project Location: Essex County

Grant Amount: $545,572.21

Total Project Amount: $689,117.26

Project: Replace 800 feet of failing distribution main, install new valves and hydrants.

Applicant Name: City of Newport

Project Location: Orleans County

Grant Amount: $3,000,000

Total Project Amount: $3,750,000

Project:Replace and upgrade water and sewer lines, implement downtown transportation and streetscape improvements.

Applicant Name: Northeastern Vermont Development Association

Project Location: Essex County

Grant Amount: $500,000

Total Project Amount: $1,000,000

Project: Acquisition of the 'pit,' a long-vacant property in downtown Newport.

Applicant Name: Swanton Village

Project Location: Franklin County

Grant Amount: $1,638,329
Total Project Amount: $3,833,194

Project: Implement critical stormwater and parking improvements in the downtown.

Applicant Name: Town of Danville

Project Location: Caledonia County

Grant Amount: $444,955
Total Project Amount: $556,194

Project: Construction of a multi-use parking lot in Danville Village featuring 28 parking spaces, easy access to transit, and safe connections to the business block.

Applicant Name: Vermont Agency of Transportation

Project Location: Orleans County

Grant Amount: $500,000
Total Project Amount: $625,000

Project: Acquisition of the 52-acre Newport Railyard, which includes an office building, grain depot, maintenance shed and 11 railway sidings.

Applicant Name: Vernon Advent Christian Home
Project Location: Windham County

Grant Amount: $1,000,000
Total Project Amount: $5,594,663

Project: Replace the skilled nursing facility and rehabilitate its assisted-living capacity in Vernon. The campus maintains 119 licensed elder care units and supports 100 full-time jobs.

About the Northern Border Regional Commission

The Northern Border Regional Commission 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 four-state NBRC region. NBRC encourages projects that take a creative approach to accomplishing those goals.