The Vermont Department of Health will award $1.2M in grants beginning in July to prevent chronic disease and promote wellness in communities around the state, according to a news release from the department.

The grants are designed to target alcohol and drug use, nutrition and physical activity, and tobacco control — and to expand the Healthy Retailers initiative. Healthy Retailers helps owners and managers of independently owned grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations create an environment that encourages healthier food and beverage choices, and discourages tobacco and alcohol use. Communities can be awarded up to $130,000 each for a one-year project period. The request for proposals was issued on Jan. 3, and communities can apply until Feb. 15.

“With this funding, we want to help communities make ‘the healthy choice the easy choice’ for Vermonters of all ages,” Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen said in the release. “Making that goal a reality takes collaboration and creativity on the part of all of us.”

Funding for the new community wellness grants comes from three sources: Vermont’s Coordinated Healthy Activity, Motivation & Prevention Programs grants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Health Infrastructure funding, and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.