The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) is dedicated to supporting Vermont's forest and wood products sector. Through granting decisions and the work of the Forestry sub-committee, the WLEB is constantly working to support this important area of our working landscape. Program Overview to Date:
● Funded 148 Agriculture and Forestry Projects
● Distributed Over $4.4 Million in Working Lands Funds
● Leveraged $8.6 Million in Matching Funds
● Impacted all 14 Vermont Counties
The VWMA maintains a presence on the Working Lands Enterprise Board, and the Board’s Forestry sub-committee, representing your interests at the table and helping to drive continued investment by the legislature. The most significant work of the Forestry sub-committee was leadership of the Forest Sector Systems Analysis undertaken by Yellow Wood Associates. Several recommendations were included in the final report that will help inform future direction and investment. To support and grow Vermont’s forest and wood products sector, three main strategies emerged:
1). Increase demand for local wood 2). Improve, create, and strengthen sub-sector value chains 3). Increase public awareness of the forest sector and the ways landowners, Vermonters, and visitors to Vermont can both contribute and benefit.
View examples of funded projects here:
Vermont Farm Table, Bristol | $50,000 for commercial development plan
Maple Landmark, Middlebury | $40,000 for an automated wood-turning lathe
The Tree House Hardwoods & Millshop, South Burlington : $29,975.33 for infrastructure to increase safety and efficiency.
Vermont Tree Goods, Bristol | $20,000 for equipment in a new production facility that utilizes an innovative sawmill design to create product from salvage/cull grade logs
Vermont Table Company, East Burke | $8,922 for an Epilog Laser Engraving Machine to bring engraving in-house
Torrani Studio Craft, LLC, Eden Mills | $5,000 for machinery to expand its cookware product line
Ogelby Woodworks, Waterbury | $5,000 for equipment to open an independent shop
Vermont Wildwoods, Marshfield | $20,000 for creation of the first commercial wood spalting chamber
Winterwood Timber Frames, LLC, East Montpelier | $75,000 for infrastructure upgrades for a bioregional wood building-material product line, including two dehumidifying kilns, a three phase power grid, an outdoor wood-waste burning boiler system and signage for the showroom