2017 WCEDP RFP Release
2017 WCEDP RFP Release
Windham County Economic Development Program
R.T. Hamilton Brown
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation 802-257-7731
rbrown@brattleborodevelopment.com http://brattleborodeveloment.com
The Windham County Economic Development Program, is seeking proposals for competitive grants that will promote economic development in Windham County. WCEDP was created as an agreement with Entergy to provide two million per year for five years to the State of Vermont after the closure of Vermont Yankee to promote economic development in Windham County.
The application process occurs in two steps: 1) Pre-Application and, if approved, 2) Full Grant Application. The pre-application window officially opened July 1st, and is open until September 1st.
To request a pre-application packet, contact R.T Brown at the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation by emailing rtbrown@brattleborodevelopment.com. Technical assistance and counseling regarding the pre-application is available from a variety of sources in Windham County.
Projects that will be considered for the grant should: Occur in (or directly benefit) Windham County, promote economic development in Windham County and follow objectives laid out in the 2014 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). The objectives that must be met this round are improving wage parity with the surrounding labor shed, increasing the size and quality of the workforce or retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities and meaningful career opportunities. The minimum grant request for this funding round is $25,000.
For complete information about WCEDP grants and applying, please visit:
http://accd.vermont.gov/sites/accdnew/files/documents/DED/VEPC/WCEDP/2017-WCEDP-RFP-Fin al-07052017.pdf
Webinar: Attend an informational webinar / conference call on August 1, 2017 to learn more. Please register here: https://brattleborodevelopment.com/knowledge-bites/.
About WCEDP:
In 2013, the State of Vermont negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with Entergy. Among other considerations, Entergy agreed to provide $2 million per year for five years to the State of Vermont “to promote economic development in Windham County.” These funds are being administered by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), in cooperation with the Windham County Economic Development Program Advisory Council in a program referred to as the Windham County Economic Development Program (WCEDP).
The WCEDP is meant to promote economic development in Windham County by providing funds to stimulate job creation through business start-up, expansion, or relocation, encourage entrepreneurial activity, and strengthen the economic development infrastructure to ensure a strong foundation for transformational economic activity. The primary focus of the program will be private sector job creation and retention, and direct support of entrepreneurial activities, followed by support of systems and activities that encourage an entrepreneurial, innovation and business start-up environment and culture. Funds are made available through a revolving loan program administered by the Vermont Economic Development Agency (VEDA), incentive packages negotiated by ACCD with regional partners, noncompetitive grants made by ACCD, and the competitive grants that are the focus of this RFP.
