Forest Economy Program

The Forest Economy Program is administered by the Northern Border Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership established to stimulate economic and community development across economically distressed regions of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The program is designed to strengthen and modernize the forest-based economy within this four-state region by supporting projects that align with state-level economic development plans and forest economy strategies. It focuses on fostering innovation, sustainability, and long-term viability within forest industries, including the adoption of new technologies and emerging business models. The program’s primary purpose is to support economic development initiatives that directly benefit forest-based industries and communities reliant on these sectors. It funds a broad range of activities, including infrastructure projects, workforce development initiatives, business planning and technical assistance, and community-based economic diversification efforts. Projects must demonstrate a clear connection to the forest economy and show readiness for implementation, as well as measurable impacts on regional economic growth, workforce outcomes, or industry sustainability. Basic research is explicitly excluded, while applied research and demonstration projects with strong industry linkages are encouraged. Funding under this program is competitive and contingent upon federal appropriations and the quality of applications received. For the 2026 cycle, the program anticipates making up to four million dollars available, with individual project awards eligible for funding up to one million dollars. Eligible uses of funds include public infrastructure supporting forest industries, workforce training programs, marketing and education initiatives tied to other project types, and technical assistance for forest-based businesses. All funded projects must adhere to cost-sharing requirements, with match levels determined by statutory guidelines and regional economic distress criteria. Eligibility for the program is limited to public and nonprofit entities operating within the Northern Border Regional Commission’s service area. Eligible applicants include state governments, local governments, regional planning entities, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations with demonstrated experience in federal grant management. For-profit entities and organizations without appropriate nonprofit status are not eligible. Additionally, projects must be located within designated counties across the four participating states, ensuring that funding is directed to communities within the Commission’s jurisdiction. The application process follows a structured, multi-stage submission model. Applicants are first required to submit a pre-application, which is reviewed jointly by the Commission and participating states. Based on this review, selected applicants are invited to submit a full application through the Commission’s online system. The pre-application stage determines eligibility and potential award size, making it a critical gatekeeping step. Only those invited may proceed to the full application phase, and detailed submission requirements are outlined in the program’s user manual. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle with two funding rounds each year, typically in the spring and fall. For 2026, pre-applications for the spring round are due in late February, with full applications due in mid-April and awards expected in June. The fall round includes pre-applications due in late August, full applications due in mid-October, and awards anticipated in December. Proposals are evaluated based on alignment with program priorities, including workforce development, technological innovation, business sustainability, and regional collaboration. Preference is given to projects that demonstrate strong partnerships and the ability to impact multiple communities or the broader region. Overall, the Forest Economy Program serves as a strategic investment tool to revitalize rural economies, enhance workforce capacity, and promote sustainable forest resource utilization. By emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and economic diversification, the program aims to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the northern border forest economy while supporting long-term community development goals.

Align proposals with workforce development and technology commercialization priorities; demonstrate regional impact and partnerships