Thread by @SenatorLeahy

In Springfield today to announce more than $7.9 million in grants from @NBRC_Team to boost job growth in #VT. These funds will help grow our workforce, repair our infrastructure & give Vermont workers new skills for the modern economy.

We chose Springfield for this announcement because of @BRICvt. Their coworking & incubation space, & goal of growing startups in VT, is the type of project I had in mind when I expanded NBRC in the #FarmBill so all of VT would be eligible. They are receiving a $235k grant.

Federal grants will support the redevelopment of Main St in @Winooskivt, infrastructure in Newport, Burke, St. Albans & Randolph. Childcare & workforce efforts supported by @LetsGrowKids & @VTRoundtable.

Today we are also marking the first NBRC awards that invest specifically in our #forest based economy. For generations, many communities across Vermont, northern New York and New England relied heavily on the economic benefits of the forest economy.

But recent downtown turns in wood markets have taken a toll. We need new solutions, new markets and sustained federal investment to ensure our rural communities can capitalize on new opportunities and retain their vibrancy.

That’s why I pushed to create the NBRC Regional Forest Economy Partnership. New funds will help a biomass heat and power plant in #Brattleboro, forestry programs at @VTtech, an ag business network at @VermontHCB & a regional destination initiative from the @northern_forest ctr.