November 17th, 2022

The Mad River Valley Recreation District (MRVRD) has received a $5,000.00 grant from the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS). The MRVRD worked in partnership with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom to qualify and submit for this grant. These funds will help the MRVRD to install an irrigation system on their recreational fields which are used by thousands of kids and adults each year.

The Foundation For Rural Service awards grants to rural communities served by NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association members, of which Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom is a member. These grants are designed to provide support to a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. The required matching funds contribution was provided by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom.

““The fields at Mad River Park are known as some of the highest quality recreation fields in Central Vermont,” said Laura Arnesen, Executive Director of the Mad River Valley Recreation District.  “We’re so appreciative of the Foundation For Rural Service for this grant and our partner in this opportunity, Waitsfield and Champlain Telecom. The grant will enable us to keep the fields at Mad River Park in pristine condition so that people of all ages can continue to use this terrific community space well into the future. A special shout out to John Stokes, long time MRVRD board member, who steadfastly promoted this project. In addition to this grant, a number of other major donations, including one in memory of Mary Harris, will allow MRVRD to complete the irrigation system in the spring of 2023.”

“FRS is proud to support these projects throughout the country to promote health, safety, education and growth in rural communities,” said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker. “This year we had an incredible number of applications and we awarded $142,000.00 to 31 grant recipients.  Thank you to the NTCA members who partnered with FRS to fund these projects.”

For more information on FRS and community development grants, please contact Lorraine Keener at (802) 496-8379 or lkeener@wcvt.com.