Forest Economy Program (FEP)
Learning Opportunities for Prospective Applicants:
- 2025 Forest Economy Program Information Session: Wednesday, Februray 5 | 10 AM - 11 AM EST
This session will provide an in-depth overview of the 2025 Forest Economy Program. Participants will leave with the information needed to prepare for the pre-application phase.
REGISTER
Fall 2024 Timeline and Key Dates
- Pre-Application (Required) Due on September 6, 2024, 5:00 pm EST
- Application (By Invitation) Due on October 18, 2024, 5:00 pm EST
A full PROGRAM TIMELINE is available.
The purpose of this program is to support the forest-based economy, and to assist in the industry’s evolution to include new technologies and viable business models across the 4-state NBRC region.
Successful projects support a broad range of forest-based economy initiatives such as, but not limited to, public infrastructure projects that directly support the forest industry; community development projects that support the diversified use of forest for economic activity; workforce training and development projects for the purpose of building the skills and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed for forest businesses; and marketing, communication and education projects that are paired with a public infrastructure, community development or workforce training or development project. Basic research projects will not be considered. Preference will be given to applied research and demonstration projects that demonstrate a strong connection to industry.
FEP will give preference to proposals that:
- Invest in the development and commercialization of technologies that create and grow new markets for low-grade forest harvest residuals.
- Invest in workforce recruitment, development, and training to increase job placement across the forest product continuum.
- Help to sustain and grow existing forest industry businesses and operations, such as through technical assistance.
- Aid in the revitalization of rural communities through the diversified use of northern border forests for economic activity to include wood products and advanced materials manufacturing, as well as for other economic activity that utilizes northern border forests sustainably for the production of wood products and advanced materials manufacturing.
Leverage existing (or, in some cases, new) partnerships to impact multiple counties, states and/or the entire NBRC region, and/or have the potential to do so.
A pre-application is required to apply for FEP.
For those considering applications in 2024, complete the PROJECT INTEREST FORM and contact the NBRC Forest Economy Program Manager Marina Bowie, the NBRC Program Manager in the State(s) where the proposed project will take place, and/or a Forest Economy Program Advisory Board member. These individuals will be happy to assist you as you develop your projects and applications:
NBRC Forest Economy Program Manager
Marina Bowie, mbowie@nbrc.gov 603.724.5802
NBRC State Program Managers
Maine: Charlotte Mace, charlotte.mace@maine.gov 207.624.7448
New Hampshire: Ian Davis, Ian.M.Davis@livefree.nh.gov 603.419.9709
Vermont: Kristie Farnham, kristie.farnham@vermont.gov 802.398.5268
New York: Kyle Wilber, kyle.wilber@dos.ny.gov 518.473.3694
Pre-Application Process: FEP requires a pre-application. See the FEP TIMELINE for pre-application deadlines. The FEP USER MANUAL has detailed guidance for developing both a pre-application and application. Pre-applications will be submitted using the NBRC Grants Management System.
During the pre-application phase, projects will be evaluated for eligibility and relevance to the program. NBRC staff and an Advisory Board consisting of representatives from all four states will review pre-applications that are received on or prior to the deadline. The Advisory Board, in coordination with the NBRC State Program Managers, will prioritize the Advisory Board list and determine which projects will be invited to submit a full application.
Application Process: Projects that are deemed eligible by NBRC and invited to apply by the Advisory Board in the pre-application phase, will submit a full application. See the FEP TIMELINE for pre-application deadlines. The FEPM USER MANUAL has detailed guidance for developing both a pre-application and application. Applications will be submitted using the NBRC Grants Management System.
During the application phase, each full application will be scored based on the rating criteria developed for the Forest Economy Program. Project scoring is determined by how fully and thoroughly the applicant answers each item listed in each rating criteria. The Program Managers from the states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont will coordinate application scoring for each of the rating criteria and present results to the Commission. The Governor’s Alternates and the Federal Co-Chair will vote on the projects selected for funding. Projects that fall short of an 80-point threshold will not be considered for funding. The rating criteria is detailed in the FEP USER MANUAL.
Location Eligibility Guidance: The eligible NBRC service area includes 60 counties in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. If your project is in the service area, it may be eligible for NBRC funds. Locations outside the NBRC service area are NOT eligible to receive NBRC funds.
Each county in the service area is classified as “distressed”, “transitional”, or “attainment” using pre-determined distress criteria. These designations determine if your project is eligible to receive NBRC funds and the associated match requirements
- Projects located in counties classified as “distressed” and “transitional” are eligible to receive NBRC funds.
- Attainment counties are generally NOT eligible to receive NBRC funds, with 2 exceptions.
- Communities within an attainment county that have been designated as “Isolated Areas of Distress”. See the list of 2024 “Isolated Areas of Distress” county designations.
- A project located in an Attainment county or outside of the NBRC region will bring significant economic benefits to an Isolated Area of Distress or a county designated as Distressed or Transitional. Contact NBRC directly to determine if your project is eligible under the significant benefits exception and guidance to complete a Significant Benefits Waiver using admin@nbrc.gov.
See the full list of counties and designations contained in the NBRC Distress Criteria.
Eligible Applicant Guidance:
- State government (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York only)
- Local governments (village, town, city and county)
- Secondary and career technical centers
- Other political subdivisions of States (regional planning commissions, authorities of the state)
- Non-profit entities (see Program Manual for additional details)
- Indian Tribes (federally recognized Indian tribes, see Program Manual for additional details)
For-profit entities, LLCs and other entities that are not a 501(c) are NOT eligible to apply for Catalyst Program funding.
Help NBRC share information on funding opportunities, award announcements and other exciting news. By signing up for NBRC Announcements, you’ll be sure to receive the latest information on the Forest Economy Program. Sign up HERE.
FOREST ECONOMY PROGRAM OVERVIEW
FOREST ECONOMY PROGRAM TIMELINE
NBRC Resources Page for Grants Management Information