Grants to Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont Agencies, Tribes, IHEs, and Nonprofits to Address Changes in Forest-Based Economies

Forest Economy Program (FEP)

Agency

Federal

GrantWatch ID#

207623

Funding Source

Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC)

CFDA Number: 90.601

Geographic Focus

USA: Maine; New Hampshire; New York City; New York; Vermont

Important Dates

LOI Date: 09/22/23
Deadline: 11/10/23 5:00 PM EST

Grant Description

Grants to Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont government agencies, tribes, IHEs, and nonprofit organizations to address changes in forest-based economies. Applicants are required to submit a letter of interest prior to a full application. Funding is intended to support the forest-based economy and to assist in the industry’s evolution to include new technologies and viable business models across the region.

Whether funded directly or through partnerships, funds will be awarded to support projects in the forest economy, which may include one (or multiple) of the following:

Community development projects that support the diversified use of forests within the Northern Border Regional Commission’s service area for economic activity to include wood products and advanced materials manufacturing, as well as for other economic activity that utilizes northern border forests sustainably and demonstrates planning for climate resiliency.
Workforce [re] training and development projects for the purpose of building the skills and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed for forest businesses.
Marketing/communication and education projects that promote the environmental and climate benefits of forest management and forest products in ways that strengthen markets for wood products.
Business planning and technical assistance projects that enhance the viability and sustainability of new and existing forest businesses.
Public infrastructure projects that directly support the forest industry, and/or that demonstrate the use of wood-based products in public infrastructure.

Investment Priorities can be found at https://www.nbrc.gov/userfiles/files/2023%20FEP/2023%20FEP%20Program%20Manual_FINAL_Updated%2020230707.pdf#page=4

Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants:
- State governments of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York
- Local governments and secondary and career technical centers (village, town, city and county);
- Other political subdivisions of States (regional planning commissions, authorities of the state);
- Indian Tribes; § 200.54 Indian tribe (or “federally recognized Indian tribe”). Indian tribe means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. Chapter 33), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)). See annually published Bureau of Indian Affairs list of Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services
- Non-profit entities. The term ‘nonprofit entity’ means any organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code. The non-profit entity must be able to demonstrate they have federal grant experience related to economic development.
- Institutions of Higher Education (must be able to demonstrate existing industry partnerships)

Pre-Proposal Conference

Information Sessions
The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has scheduled two information sessions in support of the fall, 2023 Forest Economy Program (FEP) grant application opportunity, and any parties interested in applying to this year’s program are invited to attend one of the sessions. Each session will consist of an overview of the program, and there will be plenty of time for questions. All information sessions will be held via Zoom and registration is required. Information for each is below:

When: August 8, 2023 9:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUoceGrqTsrGtWw5lsIiby4HwRGcd_bIDdF
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

When: August 9, 2023 3:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIodeigqzspHtTeVntWpoyhkt2Ay8RpRo1Z
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting

Pre-Application Information

Fall 2023 Application Timeline
- Forest Economy Program Information Sessions: July/August 2023
- Letters of Interest (required): Sept. 22 by 5pm EST
- Responses to LOIs including invitations to apply: Week of October 16th
- Applications Due (by invite only): Nov. 10 by 5pm EST
- NBRC Selection Meeting: January 2024
- NBRC notice of awards & notice to unsuccessful applicants: By January 31, 2024

Submission Information:
Letters of Interest (LOIs) are required for funding consideration and must be submitted.

Letters of Interest will be accepted from all eligible applicants no later than 5:00 p.m. EST September 22, 2023. Invitations to submit a full application will be sent by the week of October 16th with full applications due by November 10th.

1/26 FEP Information Session Recording:
http://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/FyJdob5Lz4lNeF2MyjeQzQoel0Ljt9FiCm6SyoyRKPEUrNrpvIDqTvZmy3YjAdi4.FCc7HhnADAin6FOo

In case you missed the info sessions, please find a recording from August 8th information session here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/PiAGZHMCzS3vk5S7ASkcqP74iSCs3DitlYhJAl6bbWFKCK6-OWmZxV73cJAL67Yt.Xc5QmM2TUMK1nxn2 Passcode: @0mttMXZ

August 9th information session here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/s7BE1TBNRBt3IkOceNXhUBDBqzLq4otJ0fHEdImkyvFLQnZFnlfhWEw4AERfEdQv.yNYeT66rXQxjDmDF?startTime=1691607930000 Passcode: KS@&Yn5j

Additional Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$7,000,000

Estimated Size of Grant

The maximum award size is $1,000,000. The Commission does maintain discretion in reducing the minimum if outcomes can demonstrate that they will lead to an outsized impact either directly within the scope of the proposed project, or indirectly through subsequent efforts.

Term of Contract

For projects awarded funding in June, the period of performance shall begin on July 1 of that year and not exceed 36 months from the date of award. For projects awarded funding in January, the period of performance shall begin on January 1 of that year and not exceed 36 months from the date of award. A grantee must liquidate all obligations incurred under the award no later than 30 days after the end of the period of performance stated in the funding award.

Contact Information

Letters of Interest (LOIs) and full applications must be submitted to FEP@nbrc.gov.

Questions regarding NBRC’s Forest Economy Program program should be directed to Program Manager Marina Bowie via mbowie@nbrc.gov.

NBRC State Program Managers
- Maine: Charlotte Mace, charlotte.mace@maine.gov 207.624.7448
- New Hampshire: Steven Fortier, steven.j.fortier@livefree.nh.gov 603.688.5918
- Vermont: Kristie Farnham, kristie.farnham@vermont.gov 802.398.5268
- New York: Kyle Wilber, kyle.wilber@dos.ny.gov 518.473.3694

Grants to Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont Agencies, Tribes, IHEs, and Nonprofits to Address Changes in Forest-Based Economies

Forest Economy Program (FEP)

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