2012 Vermont Statutes
Title 06 Agriculture
Chapter 207 PROMOTION AND MARKETING OF VERMONT FOODS AND PRODUCTS
§ 4607 Powers and duties of the Vermont working lands enterprise board

§ 4607. Powers and duties of the Vermont working lands enterprise board

(a) The Vermont working lands enterprise board shall have the authority:

(1) to establish an application process and eligibility criteria for awarding grants, loans, incentives, and other investments in agricultural and forestry enterprises and in food and forest systems;

(2) to award grants and other investments, which may include loans underwritten and administered through the Vermont economic development authority;

(3) to enter into performance contracts with one or more persons in order to provide investment and services to agricultural and forestry enterprises, including:

(A) technical assistance and product research services;

(B) marketing assistance, market development, and business and financial planning;

(C) organizational, regulatory, and development assistance; and

(D) feasibility studies of facilities or capital investments to optimize construction and other cost efficiencies;

(4) to identify workforce needs and programs in order to develop training and incentive opportunities for the agriculture and forest product sectors after consulting with the department of labor;

(5) to identify strategic statewide infrastructure and investment priorities considering:

(A) leveraging opportunities;

(B) economic clusters;

(C) return-on-investment analysis;

(D) other considerations the board determines appropriate; and

(6) to pursue and accept grants or other funding from any public or private source and to administer such grants or funding consistent with their terms.

(b) The agency of agriculture, food and markets shall provide administrative support to the extent authorized by the secretary of agriculture, food and markets, and with the assistance of the department of forests, parks and recreation to the extent authorized by the commissioner of forests, parks and recreation, in order to support the board in the performance of its duties pursuant to this section. (Added 2011, No. 142 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 15, 2012.)