Advanced Wood Heat Assistance Program for Working Lands Businesses

The Advanced Wood Heat Assistance Program for Working Lands Businesses is administered by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation through its Forest Economy Program, with funding provided by the U.S. Forest Service Wood Innovations Program. This initiative is designed to support Vermont-based farm, food, and forest products businesses in adopting advanced wood heating technologies. The program reflects a broader state and federal commitment to renewable energy adoption, forest economy development, and operational efficiency improvements in rural and working lands enterprises. The primary purpose of the program is to provide both technical and financial assistance to eligible businesses seeking to install new advanced wood heating systems or upgrade existing systems. These systems are intended to improve energy efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and promote the use of locally sourced wood fuels such as cordwood. By supporting these upgrades, the program aims to lower energy costs for businesses while also strengthening Vermont’s forest-based economy and reducing environmental impacts associated with traditional heating systems. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, with a maximum award of up to 25000 dollars per project. The program requires a 50 percent cost share, meaning applicants must provide a one-to-one match for the funds requested. Eligible expenses include equipment costs and installation costs associated with advanced wood heating systems. Applicants must submit cost estimates or quotes as part of their application, and the total requested grant amount cannot exceed half of the total project budget. This structure ensures that applicants are financially invested in their projects while leveraging public funds to maximize impact. Eligibility is limited to working lands businesses operating in Vermont within the farm, food, and forest products sectors. Applicants must be organizations capable of entering into a grant agreement with the State of Vermont and responsible for reporting and reimbursement processes. The program includes a structured pre-application phase, which requires an initial intake call and a site visit conducted by mechanical engineers to evaluate feasibility, estimate cost savings, and assess efficiency improvements. Only projects that are reviewed and approved by the U.S. Forest Service Wood Energy Technical Team are invited to submit a full application. The application process requires submission of a completed application form along with several compliance documents, including a Vermont State Risk Assessment Questionnaire, a signed and dated W-9 form, and a current Certificate of Insurance that meets state requirements. Applications must be submitted via email in a single package with all required documentation and cost estimates. The process emphasizes readiness and compliance with state financial and administrative standards before funds are awarded. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed, the structured pre-application review and technical assessment indicate that projects are evaluated based on feasibility, projected energy savings, system efficiency improvements, and alignment with program goals. The requirement for technical review by the U.S. Forest Service further underscores the importance of project viability and performance outcomes. Applicants may also indicate willingness to participate in outreach or educational tours, which suggests an additional consideration for projects that can serve as demonstration sites. The program is currently accepting applications, though participation is gated by the pre-application approval process. Interested applicants must first contact the program representative to initiate eligibility review. The primary contact for the program is Molly Willard, who can be reached via email or phone for intake and guidance. The timeline for application submission is dependent on successful completion of the pre-application phase, and all funding is contingent upon approval and execution of a grant agreement. The program does not specify a fixed deadline, suggesting a rolling or intake-based review process tied to project readiness and available funding.