Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI)

Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) is sponsored by Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB). Assists rural communities and working lands businesses in accessing funding for development projects.

Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) • Vermont Housing & Conservation Board Rural Economic Development Initiative The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), a program of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, helps rural communities access the funding they need for community and business development.

REDI provides grant writing assistance to rural communities and working lands businesses interested in applying for federal funds and other funding sources when applicable. Funds can be used to hire a grant writer, complete a necessary step to make a grant application more competitive (such as a business plan or engineering), and in some cases to help make a fundraising plan for a project.

Working lands projects (such as dairy processing, value-added food enterprises, and forest products sector) Community-based economic development (such as historic preservation, community infrastructure, and downtown revitalization) Outdoor recreation projects (trails, public recreation areas, connectivity to downtown/village center) Projects focused on implementation/ seeking federal grants Eligible clients include municipalities, non-profits, community organizations, and working lands businesses that are based in communities of 5,000 people or less.

Must advance one of REDI’s core focus areas: community-based economic development, outdoor recreation, and working lands sector development. Housing projects are not currently a focus area for REDI, though please reach out to VHCB’s Housing Program and your local Homeownership Center to discuss housing projects. Projects must demonstrate readiness, community buy-in, and projects should leverage applicable resources.

REDI is a fit for projects that have a leadership team and are prepared to seek and manage significant funding sources (~$50k-$1M) REDI is intended to complement and support the assistance provided by Vermont’s Regional Development Corporations and Regional Planning Commissions Learn more about the REDI program: Assistance/Services Available: Fundraising mapping/ funding identification Grant writing consulting (review, editing, drafting, etc.) Technical assistance critical to federal grant application (ex: feasibility study, architectural renderings, archeological assessment, mapping, business plan, etc.) Grant award management/reporting (short-term) REDI staff can identify a consultant for a client from a network of qualified professionals or accept referrals Cost Share: It may be appropriate for a client to contribute to the cost of services based on project, impact, client location, scale of business, or other factors.

Where to Seek Support for your Project: REDI Consultant Request for Qualifications: Interested in providing services to support community-based economic development projects in Vermont? Visit our Request for Qualifications page! The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

We acknowledge that the place we call “Vermont”, in which we gather, live, and work, is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Abénaki and Mohican people. We honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between our Indigenous friends, their land, and the natural world.

We are grateful for the opportunity to work in this place and strive to be mindful stewards of the land in partnership with Vermont’s Indigenous population, including Abénaki, Mohican, and others with Indigenous heritage who call Vermont home. We commit to fostering respectful relationships and to supporting the preservation of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and land stewardship practices.

We pledge to continue learning from and with our Indigenous friends, colleagues, partners, and organizations to promote a future where their voices are respected and upheld.