Addison County Awarded Over $597K in VOREC Grants to Boost Outdoor Recreation

$6.3 Million in VOREC Grants Boost Outdoor Recreation Across Vermont, Supporting 51 Projects

Four Projects in Addison County Granted Over $597,000

Montpelier, VT – Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) announced 51 new recipients of the VOREC Community Grant Program. These projects mark an investment of over $6 million into Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. 

"These grants are an investment in Vermont," said Secretary Moore. "They will help communities revitalize their outdoor recreation assets, create jobs, improve access to nature for Vermonters and visitors alike, and build stronger, more resilient communities for years to come."

Projects awarded in this year’s announcement fall into one of four tracks – Implementation, Project Development, Outdoor Equity, and Flood Recovery. Awarded projects will enhance recreation economies in rural, mid-size and urban communities, lay the groundwork for future community-based projects, expand access to outdoor recreation for all people, and help communities and trail organizations recover from the flooding of summer 2023.

“We are pleased to support so many amazing projects across Vermont,” said Becca Washburn, Chair of the VOREC Steering Committee and Director of Lands Administration and Recreation for the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. “The interest in the program, as well as the strength of the applications demonstrates the opportunity communities from Grand Isle to Brattleboro see in investing in the connection between outdoor recreation and economic benefits.”

Awarded projects will support communities in 13 of Vermont’s counties, along with eight statewide projects.

Addison County Projects that received funding:

• $65,000 to Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center
  Develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the Outdoor Center to ensure its viability as a community recreation hub.
   
• $248,231 to the Town of Cornwall (ACEDC Member)
  Develop a public recreation area on a parcel abutting the Cornwall Elementary School.
   
• $221,500 to Lincoln Sports, Inc. 
  Build a multi-use trail system including an ADA-compliant trail and a new parking lot that integrates with Lincoln Sports' publicly available sports facilities.
   
• $63,233.34 to Middlebury Area Land Trust
  Replace and improve the resilience of trails and infrastructure within Wright Park that were damaged in the summer 2023 floods. 

Governor Scott established the VOREC Steering Committee by executive order in June 2017 to bring together a broad set of outdoor recreation stakeholders to promote stewardship of state recreation assets and market Vermont’s outdoor recreation values and attributes to effectively foster responsible and sustainable economic growth. The VOREC Community Grant Program became one of the first and highest priorities of the committee. This grant round is the program’s fourth and most significant investment in communities across the state.

Learn more about the VOREC Community Grant Program and watch for future funding opportunities.