GREENSBORO – RuralEdge has been awarded $175,000 in state tax credits to support important code and façade improvements to help make the town hall redevelopment project possible.
Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) announced the award as part of just over $4 million in funding for 13 rehabilitation and revitalization projects in 12 of Vermont’s designated downtown and village centers. The awards will generate over $160 million in building improvements and public infrastructure around the state.
The description of the Greensboro project, at 82 Craftsbury Road, indicates, “The former Greensboro Town Hall [sic] will be rehabilitated and expanded with a sensitive addition to create 20 new units of housing, while retaining important community space.” A total project cost of $10,915,683 is indicated.
“RuralEdge and our development partner, Evernorth, remain committed to the development of Greensboro Village School Housing in the existing town hall, said Patrick Shattuck, RuralEdge executive director. “While the select board works to bring the sale of the building to a vote, we continue to assemble funding for the project. Only one in four applications received this funding, demonstrating the effectiveness of this proposal in addressing the state and region’s most pressing challenges. RuralEdge is excited about Greensboro Village School Housing and its role in strengthening Northeast Kingdom communities, one home at a time.”
“This program is one of the best examples of how federal and state tax incentives can work together to build lasting resilience for our communities and economy,” said Governor Scott. “As we work to strengthen communities across the state, this program – and others that help with infrastructure and economic development – are essential.”
In the past 10 years, the state tax credit program has leveraged over $28 million in federal rehabilitation tax credits, resulting in the creation and rehabilitation of 338 housing units and support for over 100 businesses in 24 downtowns and 248 village centers.
“The Community Investment Board was thrilled to support transformative projects this year in communities both large and small,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Alex Farrell. “This program is about more than just bricks and mortar—it’s about addressing Vermont’s most pressing challenges, from alleviating housing shortages to strengthening community resilience. However, with demand for projects now over twice the annual cap, the board regrettably could only fund 13 out of the 49 highly deserving applications. This unmet need underscores the pressing need for supporting projects that build housing and foster economic growth and resilience in every corner of the state.”
The ACCD’s press release names the RuralEdge contact as Robert Barnum, [email protected]
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
