NBRC Announces Availability of $50m in 2024 Catalyst Program Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2024
Contact: Adrianne Harrison, Catalyst Program Manager
aharrison@nbrc.gov
(603) 369-3001
Northern Border Regional Commission Announces Availability of $50m in 2024 Catalyst Program Funding
Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will stimulate economic growth and inspire partnerships that improve rural economic vitality across the NBRC region.
The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is pleased to announce preliminary details of how communities in the region can apply for the $50 million in funding that will be available through the 2024 Catalyst Program. The Catalyst Program supports a broad range of economic development activities that create economic opportunity for residents in rural places across Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Examples of the types of projects the Commission may support include, but are not limited to: modernizing and expanding water and wastewater systems; revitalizing transportation infrastructure; establishing workforce development programs and facilities; growing outdoor recreation infrastructure and economies; and constructing new childcare and healthcare facilities. The Commission initially plans to make up to $50 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding available and upon completion of the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process, anticipates issuing a revised program announcement to make additional funds available.
"We’re looking for community centered projects that seek to improve life for people who reside in the NBRC region. In one community that may be an expansion of a childcare program that allows more parents to participate in the workforce - in another it may be a new water line that means a manufacturing business can expand,” said Chris Saunders, Federal Co-Chair of the NBRC. “The collaboration between the Biden Administration and Congress that led to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has brought a historic level of funding to NBRC and we are focused on using these resources to increase the vibrancy of rural communities.”
These federal resources will be competitively awarded through two funding rounds with a minimum of $30 million available in Round 1 and a minimum of $20 million available in Round 2. Interested applicants can access a program overview, eligibility information, and upcoming information session details on NBRC’s website. Applicants are required to express interest through a pre-application, which must be submitted using NBRC’s online Grants Management System by 5:00pm EST on March 15, 2024 [Round 1] or September 6, 2024 [Round 2]. Initial inquiries concerning suitability and integration with economic development priorities should be directed to each NBRC State’s Program Manager (contacts listed below). Questions about eligibility and the pre-application or application itself should be directed to the NBRC’s Catalyst Program Director, Adrianne Harrison, at aharrison@nbrc.gov or (603) 369-3001.
The funds for this program, and all NBRC programs, are available thanks to the support of the Congressional Delegations of all four NBRC states: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.
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Created in 2008, the Northern Border Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership whose mission is to help alleviate economic distress and encourage private sector job creation in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.
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NBRC State Program Managers
Maine: New Hampshire:
Charlotte Mace Steve Fortier
(207) 624-7448 (603)-688-5918
charlotte.mace@maine.gov steven.j.fortier@livefree.nh.gov
New York: Vermont:
Kyle Wilber Kristie Farnham
(518) 473-3694 (802) 398-5268
kyle.wilber@dos.ny.gov kristie.farnham@vermont.gov
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