New funding to aid Vt. downtowns, village centers

Fall foliage in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Gov. Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) recently announced over $4 million in funding supporting a record number of rehabilitation and revitalization projects throughout Vermont’s designated downtown and village centers. These 49 project awards will help generate over $95 million in building improvements and public infrastructure around the state.

“These investments are impactful, supporting local businesses, creating new housing, and improving the economic vitality of our community centers,” said Scott. “I believe this kind of targeted investment in our downtowns and village centers, along with the strategic use of federal relief dollars, shows what we can do to make Vermont an even better place to live, work and play.” 

“Thanks to the support of the Legislature, the Downtown Board was thrilled to fund 49 projects in communities large and small,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Josh Hanford. “This year we awarded a record number of rehabilitation and revitalization projects, and I am grateful to the dedicated Vermonters working to keep the heart and soul of their communities vibrant places for years to come.”

In 2022, $4.1 million in tax credits will offset the costs of major investments in projects including upgrades to Woodstock’s historic Phoenix Block on Central Street, and also at the Shire Hotel on Pleasant Street in Woodstock Village. Another project will repair the historic carriage shed in Quechee’s village center, making part of the building into new apartments. Farther north, the former U.S. Customs House and Post Office in St. Albans will be redeveloped into mixed commercial use and will provide eight new units of downtown housing.

For a complete list of projects visit the Department of Housing and Community Development website.

State highlights careers in construction

October has been declared “Careers in Construction” month in Vermont, in an effort to recognize career opportunities within the construction industry.

“As we make historic investments in housing, broadband, and traditional infrastructure, there are many opportunities for Vermonters to find lucrative careers in the trades,” Gov. Phil Scott said during a recent announcement.

According to Department of Labor data, construction accounts for 5.2% of statewide total employment, with more than 15,000 individuals working within the industry. The average annual wage for construction workers in Vermont is $57,635, exceeding the statewide average wage of $56,264. The most recent data also shows that construction accounts for about 10 percent of the total number of businesses in Vermont, with a total of more than 2,900.

“Anyone who has needed the services of a skilled contractor in the last few years, understands the importance of highlighting and supporting this important sector of our economy, as well as helping to educate folks on just how lucrative and rewarding these careers are for those who chose to pursue a job in the trades,” said Dustin Degree, Vermont’s deputy labor commissioner.

For more information on resources for jobseekers and employers, please visit Labor.Vermont.gov/Jobs.

Click here to view the full Careers in Construction Month proclamation.

Conservation design tool sees upgrade

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has announced a significant upgrade to its BioFinder planning and conservation mapping tool.

New data layers will allow users to display socio-economic variables including per capita poverty, health insurance coverage, and a social vulnerability index alongside the ecological datasets from Vermont Conservation Design that currently populate BioFinder.

BioFinder was first created in 2013. The current update is a collaboration between the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD), the Vermont Department of Health (VDH), and the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC).

“Biologists can point out the most ecologically important places on a landscape, but actually conserving those areas involves community action,” said Jens Hawkins-Hilke, VFWD conservation planning biologist. “When planners understand how ecological priorities line up with community values, they can better craft conservation opportunities that benefit both people and nature.”

Meeting the needs of both human and natural communities is an important part of the state of Vermont’s strategy for responding to climate change, state officials added. They also said this data will help the state plan housing in appropriate locations, while better protecting natural resources and wildlife habitats.

Learn more about the BioFinder Mapping Tool and new social data layers at: anr.vermont.gov/maps-and-mapping/biofinder

For more information on Vermont Conservation design, go to: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/conserve/vermont-conservation-design

The above information is from press releases and related data issued by the state of Vermont.

Village centers get boost from state

The Bridgewater Community Center project at the former Bridgewater Village School building, shown here, is one of 30 Vermont projects receiving tax credits from the state. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Projects in Bridgewater and Quechee are among 30 local efforts getting a boost from $3.2 million in tax credits to help Vermont downtowns and village centers. 

The projects range from the rehabilitation of historic buildings for new uses to smaller upgrades meant to keep businesses vital in their downtowns. In his Thursday announcement, Gov. Phil Scott said it is important to help these projects during the COVID-19 crisis.

“As we continue to weather the devastating economic impacts of this global pandemic and rebuild our economy, the downtown and village center tax credits will help local communities put themselves in the best position to thrive into the future,” Scott said.  

Among the projects: $115,677 in tax credits will go to a local effort to adapt the former Bridgewater Village School building for use as a community and childcare center. Those credits will support work to install a new sprinkler system, a three-stop lift, and complete façade repairs. In addition to the childcare center, this $1.15 million project will provide space for community mobility and exercise classes, social and artistic events, and rentable commercial space, according to the Thursday announcement. 

In Quechee, $25,000 in tax credits will support a $145,000 project to turn the former Parker House inn building into a new restaurant. The building was purchased in January by Simon Pearce, who has long operated his renowned glassblowing business and restaurant in Quechee village. The tax credits will help with façade repairs and restoration work to complement the outdoor dining experience, state officials said. They also noted the restaurant will provide 8 to 10 jobs for casual dining and private events. 

It is encouraging to see additional support going to projects that will strengthen downtowns and village centers, bolster the business community and add key services. The largest project to be included on this list is the Putnam Block Redevelopment Project, a $31.4 million undertaking in Bennington. Over $140,000 in tax credits are going to two major portions of that redevelopment effort. But no matter what their size, all these projects are important parts of their respective communities, and the economy needs them supported for the long term. Every step in that direction counts.

— Gareth Henderson