Northern Border Regional Commission

What Northern Border Regional Commission does

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2008 to fund economic and community development in the most distressed counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. NBRC operates three core competitive grant programs — Catalyst (general economic and infrastructure development), Forest Economy (forest-products industry support), and Timber for Transit (mass timber and advanced wood materials in transportation infrastructure) — alongside partnership programs with HRSA (rural healthcare networks), the U.S. Department of Labor (WORC workforce development), and EPA (RERC recreation economy planning). The Commission also administers the J-1 Visa Waiver Program to address rural healthcare provider shortages and non-competitive State Capacity Grants to support strategic planning in each member state.

Grant administration is supported by a Salesforce-based Grants Management System (GMS) that handles the full lifecycle from pre-application through reimbursement and reporting. NBRC does not generate commercial revenue; it distributes federal appropriations (and layered partner funds) as competitive grants to state and local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, and healthcare providers. Distribution is intermediated by State Program Managers in each of the four states and a network of Local Development Districts (LDDs) that provide technical assistance to applicants with limited administrative capacity. All awards require matching funds, with match rates adjusted annually based on regional distress assessments, and for-profit entities are excluded from several core programs. The Commission is governed jointly by a Federal Co-Chair (Chris Saunders) and the governors of the four member states.

Name

Northern Border Regional Commission

Legal name

Northern Border Regional Commission

Website

https://nbrc.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Northern Border Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2008 that distributes competitive grants to state, local, and nonprofit entities in the most distressed counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York for infrastructure, workforce, healthcare, and forest economy development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Federal Economic Development Grants

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (92613), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Junior Colleges (61121), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional Development Banks (BPADACAB), Forest Certification, Compliance & Chain-of-Custody Support (AFAMAAAH), Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification for Forest Products (AFAMALAB), Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

Keywords

• Federal grant programs
• Rural economic development
• Community development funding
• Infrastructure investment grants
• Workforce development funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Concord

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations

Revenue model

1. Federal Appropriations and Grant Disbursement: NBRC receives annual federal funding through Congressional appropriations as a federal-state partnership. The Commission distributes these funds as competitive grants to eligible applicants across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York for economic and community development projects. The organization does not generate commercial revenue but rather allocates federal funds to support infrastructure, workforce development, healthcare access, and forest economy initiatives in distressed rural communities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is a federal-state partnership that distributes competitive grant funding from annual Congressional appropriations to support economic and community development in distressed counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The Commission funds infrastructure (water, wastewater, transportation), workforce development, healthcare access, childcare, outdoor recreation, and forest economy projects through programs such as Catalyst, Forest Economy, and Timber for Transit, with technical assistance provided via State Program Managers and Local Development Districts.

Product overview

Northern Border Regional Commission operates as a Federal-State partnership offering a portfolio of competitive and non-competitive grant programs. The three core competitive programs are the Catalyst Program (general economic development infrastructure), Forest Economy Program (forest industry support), and Timber for Transit Program (wood materials in transportation). Additional programs include healthcare initiatives through HRSA partnership, workforce development via WORC, recreation planning through RERC, healthcare provider support via J-1 Visa waivers, and technical assistance through the LDD Partnership Program. Administrative functions are supported by a Salesforce-based Grants Management System.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Catalyst Program NBRC's flagship competitive grant program that invests in state economic development priorities to modernize and expand basic infrastructure, revitalize communities, and support workforce across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.
• Forest Economy Program (FEP) Supports the forest-based economy and assists the industry's evolution to include new technologies and viable business models across the four-state NBRC region, with emphasis on infrastructure projects that directly support the forest industry.
• Timber for Transit Program Advances the use of wood materials and composites in transportation and transportation-adjacent infrastructure through applied research and demonstration projects showcasing glued laminated timber, cross laminated timber, and other advanced wood materials.
• J-1 Visa Waiver Program Reduces healthcare provider shortage and promotes equitable healthcare access by assisting eligible international medical graduates who completed U.S. medical training on a J-1 visa to obtain waivers for the two-year home-country physical presence requirement.
• HRSA-NBRC Partnership Federal-state partnership addressing persistent health access issues through coordinated investments in workforce development, training pipelines, and capacity-building projects to expand behavioral health, primary care, and other critical services.
• Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative Partnership with the Department of Labor providing grant funds for workforce development activities that prepare workers for good jobs in high-demand occupations in rural communities.
• Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) Initiative EPA-managed planning assistance program sponsored by NBRC, USDA Forest Service, Appalachian Regional Commission, and Denali Commission that helps communities grow outdoor recreation economy and revitalize Main Streets.
• Local Development District (LDD) Partnership Program Builds capacity of Local Development Districts to serve applicants through grant administration support, skills building, and grants management assistance with special attention to underrepresented and disadvantaged communities.
• State Capacity Grants Non-competitive grants available to Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont states to develop comprehensive economic and infrastructure development plans for NBRC counties in collaboration with Local Development Districts.
• Rural Northern Border Region Network Planning Program FY2026 program providing approximately 18 awards of up to $100,000 each to support the development and strengthening of healthcare networks serving rural communities through one-year project periods beginning September 30, 2026.
• Grants Management System (GMS) Salesforce-based platform for registering organizations, submitting pre-applications and applications, managing grantee reporting, reimbursement requests, and grant administration tasks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Spring 2026: $45.4 million awarded across 56 projects including $32.3M Catalyst, $2.1M Forest Economy, $11M Timber for Transit
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Partnership to address persistent health access issues in rural and economically distressed communities across the Northern Border region. NBRC contributes regional development expertise and mandate to strengthen economic vitality while HRSA provides technical expertise and federal dollars for improving access to health services. Jointly coordinates investments including workforce development, training pipelines, and capacity-building projects. Programs include Rural Northern Border Region Network Planning (~$1.8M for 18 awards), Rural Northern Border Region Outreach Program, and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Northern Border Rural Workforce.
• U.S. Endowment for Forestry and CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026$5 million funding opportunity to connect underutilized wood fiber with new buyers and strengthen regional supply chains for working forests. NBRC partnership provides additional $500,000 for projects in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont through the Forest Economy Initiative. Initiative invests up to $1 million per year over five years in organizations developing durable market solutions to help rural communities rebuild capacity and keep forests actively managed.
• U.S. Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWORC (Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities) Initiative partnership where NBRC collaborates with Department of Labor to provide grant funds for workforce development activities preparing workers for good jobs in high-demand occupations in rural communities. NBRC provides technical assistance to grantees through partnership with Chamberlin/Dunn LLC. Current Round 7 funding opportunity open with live applicant sessions and technical assistance video series available.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPA's Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) Initiative managed by EPA Office of Community Revitalization. NBRC serves as one of four sponsors alongside USDA Forest Service, Appalachian Regional Commission, and Denali Commission. Program helps communities identify strategies to grow outdoor recreation economy and revitalize Main Streets. 2025 partner communities included Dover-Foxcroft ME, Jay/Livermore/Livermore Falls ME, Newport NH, Johnson VT, Newport VT, Fulton NY, Hamilton County NY, and Jay NY.
• USDA Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) Initiative along with EPA, NBRC, Appalachian Regional Commission, and Denali Commission. Supports planning assistance program for outdoor recreation economy development in rural communities.
• Appalachian Regional CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) Initiative alongside EPA, USDA Forest Service, NBRC, and Denali Commission.
• Denali CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) Initiative alongside EPA, USDA Forest Service, NBRC, and Appalachian Regional Commission.
• Chamberlin/Dunn LLCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical assistance provider for WORC Initiative applicants and grantees in the Northern Border Region. Provides pre-application and post-award technical assistance. Brings extensive experience with Department of Labor grants and the WORC initiative specifically, having served as TA provider for Appalachian region since Round 1 (2019) and Northern Border and Delta regions since Round 5.
• Northern Forest CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional four-state non-profit that works to create economic opportunity and community vitality from healthy working forests in the NBRC region. Listed as a regional ally on NBRC resources page.
• Northeastern States Research Cooperative (NSRC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetitive grant program funded by USDA Forest Service supporting cross-disciplinary, collaborative research in the Northern Forest. Listed as regional ally on NBRC resources page.
• U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner listed on NBRC resources page. EDA certifies Local Development Districts as federally designated Economic Development Districts.
• USDA Rural DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner listed on NBRC resources page for rural development support.
• State Economic Development AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with state agencies: Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and New York Dept of State Local Government Division. These agencies designate State Program Managers who provide technical assistance to NBRC applicants and help prioritize funding applications.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Appalachian Regional Commission: Federal-state partnership established by Congress in 1965 serving distressed counties across 13 Appalachian states. ARC is the closest structural peer to NBRC — same federal-state model, same grant-based economic development mission, same co-sponsorship of the RERC initiative with NBRC.
• Denali Commission: Federal-state partnership serving rural Alaska with grants for infrastructure, workforce, and economic development. Closely comparable governance and funding model to NBRC, and a co-sponsor of the RERC recreation economy initiative alongside NBRC.
• Delta Regional Authority: Federal-state partnership serving the Mississippi Delta and surrounding distressed counties. Operates the same competitive-grant economic development model as NBRC under a congressionally chartered framework.
• Southeast Crescent Regional Commission: Newer federal-state regional commission (authorized 2008, fully established 2021) serving distressed counties in five southeastern states. Shares NBRC's congressionally chartered federal-state grant model targeting economically distressed rural counties.
• Southwest Border Regional Commission: Federal-state regional commission serving distressed counties in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Same statutory architecture and grant-distribution mission as NBRC, though still in earlier operational ramp.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA): Federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce administering economic development grants nationwide. EDA is a much larger, broader federal grant provider with overlapping economic development mandates and is a partner of NBRC (certifies Local Development Districts).
• USDA Rural Development: Federal agency administering rural infrastructure, business, and community development programs across the entire U.S. Listed as a federal partner alongside NBRC on the resources page, with significant overlap in water/wastewater and rural infrastructure funding.
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Federal agency under HHS administering rural health workforce and access programs. Strategic partner of NBRC, jointly funding the RNBR-NP, Rural Outreach, and RCORP programs; broader in scope and budget than NBRC's healthcare work.

Emerging players

• Northern Forest Center: Regional four-state nonprofit focused on creating economic opportunity from working forests across the same NBRC footprint. Listed as a regional ally on NBRC's resources page and operates in adjacent forest economy and rural community development space.

Regional players

• Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area: Regional heritage and forest-based economic development entity operating in the Appalachian footprint. Comparable to NBRC's forest economy work in mission but covers a different geographic region and operates through heritage-area designation rather than congressional grant authority.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northern-border-regional-commission
• Xx.com/nbrc_team

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments66 records

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Frequently asked questions about Northern Border Regional Commission