About this programme
The Business Enhancement Grant is part of Vermont's Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI), which sits under the state's Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. Since it was founded in 2012, WLEI has invested more than $19.5 million across 593 projects supporting Vermont's farm, food and forest economy.
The grant funds five kinds of projects for Vermont working-lands businesses: equipment purchases, infrastructure development, market development, research and development, and workforce training and development.
How it works
Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000, with $508,000 available in the FY'27 round. There is no match requirement, but applicants must show they can cover any project costs above the grant amount requested.
Funded projects run for 12 months, starting in April 2027 and ending by April 2028.
The application opens October 9, 2026, closes December 10, 2026 at 2:00pm, and funding decisions are announced in late February or early March 2027.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include farms producing food and fiber (hay, hemp for fiber or CBD, herbs, honey, hops, fruit, legumes, livestock, poultry, maple, nuts, mushrooms, vegetables, viticulture), logging businesses and forestry operations, wood product trucking and distribution businesses, agricultural product trucking and distribution businesses, and secondary wood businesses.
Value-added food or fiber businesses qualify if they source 50% or more of their ingredients from Vermont. Retail businesses qualify if Vermont products make up the majority of what they sell.
The applicant must be based in Vermont, or be 100% focused on Vermont's working landscape.
Cannabis, Christmas trees, equine, flowers, topical CBD hemp, horticulture crops, and operations that grow food exclusively indoors are not eligible.
How to apply
- Review the Request for Applications document.
- Register in WebGrants, which the program says can take up to two business days to process.
- Consult the FAQ page for resources and support.
- Complete the application using the program's Application Guide.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Business financial statements: profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement
- Business plan (optional, but welcomed)
Frequently asked
How much can I request?
Between $10,000 and $50,000. The FY'27 round has $508,000 total available.
Do I need to provide matching funds?
No, there is no match requirement, though you must be able to cover any project costs beyond the grant amount you request.
When does the FY'27 round open and close?
It opens October 9, 2026, and closes December 10, 2026 at 2:00pm. Funding decisions are announced in late February or early March 2027.
How long does registering in WebGrants take?
The program says registration can take up to two business days, so applicants should not leave it until the deadline.
Is my business type eligible?
Farm, food and forestry businesses across a long list of categories qualify, including value-added food or fiber businesses that source 50% or more Vermont ingredients. Cannabis, Christmas trees, equine, flowers, topical CBD hemp, horticulture crops, and fully indoor food production are excluded.
More funding in Vermont
Elevate Vermont SBIR/STTR Matching Grant
Vermont Department of Economic Development (Agency of Commerce and Community Development) · Vermont
A non-competitive $50,000 state match for Vermont businesses that already won a federal SBIR or STTR award, to help commercialize their technology.
Entrepreneurial Loan Program (ELP)
Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) · Vermont
A VEDA loan up to $500,000 for Vermont seed and start-up businesses that can't get conventional bank financing.
Fresh Tracks Capital
Fresh Tracks Capital · Vermont
A Vermont venture capital fund investing roughly $600,000 on average in Vermont-based companies across manufacturing, tech, food, and more.
Loan Participation Program (SSBCI)
Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) · Vermont
VEDA co-lends alongside a bank on loans up to $20 million total project size, often at a lower rate, for Vermont businesses under 750 employees.
UVMVentures Fund
University of Vermont, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) · Vermont
A competitive UVM fund, backed by $100,000 a year from the State of Vermont, to help faculty discoveries reach commercialization.
Vermont Community Loan Fund — Business Loans
Vermont Community Loan Fund · Vermont
A Vermont CDFI lending to businesses at any stage that conventional banks turn down, with two dedicated farm, food, and forestry loan tracks.
All 12 programmes in Vermont →
Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.