Working Lands coalition pushes for larger base and one‑time funding to support supply‑chain projects
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Summary
The Working Lands Coalition, represented by the Vermont Council on Rural Development and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, asked the committee to raise the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative base to $1.5 million and provide $3.5 million one‑time to meet backlog needs and support processing, storage and distribution projects that unlock private investment.
Denise Smith of the Vermont Council on Rural Development and Jake Claro of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund presented the Working Lands Coalition’s budget platform, arguing for an increase in base funding and a one‑time infusion to address unmet demand for processing and storage infrastructure.
Clarified requests: the coalition proposed raising base funding from the current $1.0 million to $1.5 million and adding $3.5 million in one‑time funds, describing a multi-year pipeline of requested projects. Claro said the program historically leveraged significant matching funds — testimony cited about $30.9 million in matching funds on roughly $18.8 million in program grants over a 12‑year period — and explained that the smaller base constrained the agency’s ability to finance larger supply‑chain investments.
Why it matters: Speakers told the committee that working‑lands funding plays a catalytic role in unlocking private capital for larger infrastructure projects (processing, storage, distribution) and that a constrained base limits awards to smaller enterprise grants rather than projects with broader systemic impacts. Witnesses cited applicant demand far exceeding available funds in recent program rounds.
Committee members asked for clearer ROI data and dollar‑level metrics. Witnesses referenced an impact report and agreed to provide additional quantitative follow‑up to the committee. No formal votes were taken during the hearing; the request will be considered as part of FY27 budget deliberations.
