Vermont announced September 30 that $31.7 million will be available for agricultural and timber businesses recovering from severe weather losses in 2023 and 2024.
Gov. Phil Scott's office said applications are expected to run from October 26 through December 31, with payments beginning in early 2027. The assistance concerns documented past losses, rather than a forecast of damage from a future storm.
The first phase is designed to provide noncompetitive assistance covering up to 95 percent of eligible losses, subject to a $75,000 limit. A second, competitive phase will address infrastructure projects with awards ranging from $75,000 to $750,000, according to the announcement.
Businesses must have been operating during the year of their loss and still be operating when applying. Applicants will need records of their damage and other assistance, allowing the program to account for payments already received.
The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation describes the timber portion as addressing both forest damage and the work needed to restore access. Its program materials include assessment by foresters, losses to standing or harvested timber, and restoration associated with logging operations.
Those categories make the timber program broader than a payment for a damaged building. Documentation of the affected resource and the cost of recovery will be part of establishing an eligible claim.
The state announcement sets an expected application timetable. Producers and forest businesses can consult the agency's program materials as the opening approaches for application instructions and eligible-loss requirements.
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