The NBRC is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2008 to address economic distress in rural northern New England and New York. It covers designated counties in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York that are classified as “distressed” or “transitional” based on poverty, unemployment, and outmigration data.
The NBRC runs three competitive grant programs: the Catalyst Program (broad economic development), the Forest Economy Program (forest and timber industries), and the Timber for Transit Program (wood-based transportation infrastructure). It also partners with USDA Rural Development to fund additional projects each year.
2025 Awards Funding Uses
In Maine, 2025 awards touched nearly every corner of the state. Water infrastructure in Caribou and Monmouth. A new healthcare clinic in East Machias serving primary care, dental, and behavioral health. A commercial kitchen and food business incubator in Skowhegan (“The Kitchen”) that will let local food entrepreneurs test and scale. A working waterfront expansion in Jonesport that directly supports 250 commercial fishers and 20 to 50 marine businesses. A revolving loan fund for small businesses in Eastern Maine counties, offering loans between $25,000 and $50,000 for expansion.
In Vermont, the awards moved similarly. Water and sewer infrastructure in Montpelier, Shelburne, and Waitsfield. A food distribution hub in Windham County. A community center renovation in Cambridge that supports regional economic activity and over 1,100 households. A transit upgrade in Springfield converting fixed-route buses to free on-demand service. And a technical assistance program to help Vermont municipalities access housing and infrastructure funding.
In New Hampshire, a snowmobile club in Coös County received funding to maintain 140 miles of trails that support winter tourism. In New York, the North Country Alliance received $500,000 to recapitalize a revolving loan fund serving seven counties, projected to support up to 194 jobs.
None of these awards went directly to private businesses. But every one of them makes a community more viable for the businesses already there, and more attractive to the businesses considering coming.
Revolving Loan Funds
Two specific awards from the 2025 cycle deserve your attention if you’re a small business owner looking for capital.
The Midcoast Council of Governments in Lincoln County, Maine received a Catalyst award to capitalize a revolving loan fund (RLF) for businesses in Lincoln, Knox, and select Waldo County. The fund focuses on value-added food, fishing, aquaculture, and working waterfront businesses. The Eastern Maine Development Corporation received a separate award to establish an RLF offering loans of $25,000 to $50,000 for small business expansion in distressed Eastern Maine counties.
A revolving loan fund works like this: a nonprofit or development organization receives a grant to seed a loan pool. They lend to small businesses that can’t access conventional financing. When those businesses repay, the money cycles back into new loans. It is not a grant to your business. But it is credit at below-market rates for businesses that need capital and can’t get it from a bank.
If you’re in one of these counties and you’ve been told “no” by a bank, an RLF is worth a conversation. The application process is simpler than a bank loan and the terms are typically more flexible.
Workforce Investment Is Happening Around You
Two of the largest non-infrastructure awards in Maine’s 2025 cycle went to workforce programs. The Maine Department of Labor received $500,000 to expand registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in construction and manufacturing across eight counties, targeting 15 new programs and 375 apprentices. The Maine Community College System received nearly $500,000 to train 250 healthcare professionals over three years at three campuses.
In New York, Paul Smith’s College received a Forest Economy Program award to train veterans and transitioning service members for forestry and logging careers through a “Troops to Timber” program, including stackable credentials and collaboration with Fort Drum. In Vermont, a statewide advanced wood heating program received $1 million to help schools and municipalities reduce energy costs and create market demand for low-grade wood products.
What the Spring 2026 Round Looked Like
The spring 2026 pre-application window opened February 2 and closed February 27. Applications are by invitation only, so the pre-application stage is the entry point for any organization looking to apply. The programs open for 2026 spring funding were the Catalyst Program, the Forest Economy Program, and the new Timber for Transit Program.
If you missed the spring window, the fall 2026 round will open later this year. Check nbrc.gov for the updated program timeline. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply directly to NBRC programs. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, federally recognized tribal entities, educational institutions, and nonprofits located within NBRC-designated counties.
