Honoring Heroic Legacy: Faith, Courage, and Community
Honoring Heroic Legacy: Faith, Courage, and Community
Honoring Heroic Legacy: Faith, Courage, and Community
Honoring Heroic Legacy: Faith, Courage, and Community
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced that the State of Vermont, in partnership with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), has awarded more than $3.3 million in Downtown and Village Center Tax Credits to support34 rehabilitation and revitalization projectsacross 23 designated downtowns and village centers.
These awards will help generate nearly $70 million in private and public investment in building improvements, housing, and infrastructure upgrades throughout Vermont.
“Over the years, this program has proven to be an incredibly effective tool for strengthening our communities,” said Governor Phil Scott. “By supporting the rehabilitation of historic buildings and critical infrastructure, we’re helping downtowns remain vibrant centers of commerce and community life—key drivers of Vermont’s economic growth.”
The Downtown and Village Center Tax Credit Program continues to be one of the state’s most impactful community revitalization tools. This year’s funding will not only bolster small business investment and community services but also create or rehabilitate nearly 70 housing units in previously underutilized or vacant buildings.
“These tax credits remain one of Vermont’s most popular and effective programs for breathing new life into our downtowns,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Alex Farrell. “None of this progress would be possible without the dedication of local leaders, small-scale developers, and business owners who continue to invest in Vermont’s future. Demand for these credits far exceeds available funding, underscoring the need for continued support to preserve our history, revitalize our main streets, and grow local economies.”
Gilman – 52 Elm Street (George L. Fox Memorial Chapel)
A local nonprofit will restore this 1924 chapel, addressing safety and accessibility needs by replacing electrical systems, restoring windows, and installing an ADA-accessible lift. Once complete, the chapel will continue serving as a venue for concerts, educational programs, and community gatherings
Bradford – 81 North Main Street (The Jenkins House)
Built in 1836, the Jenkins House will undergo a complete rehabilitation to create four new apartments. The project includes a new standing seam roof, restoration of the building’s original clapboards and Greek Revival-style woodwork, and installation of modern systems, including fire sprinklers.
Brattleboro – 20 Elliot Street (Former Methodist Church)
Constructed in the 1880s, this Gothic Revival church—vacant for decades—will be transformed into a workforce-development doughnut bakery, community space, teaching kitchen, and 4–6 affordable housing units. Tax credits will fund façade repairs and fire-safety improvements.
.Strafford – 216 Route 132 (South Strafford General Store)
After nearly 50 years of family ownership, the historic 1870 general store is now owned by the Strafford Community Trust. Tax credits will fund code-required upgrades to ensure the store’s continued operation as a vital community hub—housing a grocery, post office, bank branch, gas pump, and laundromat.
Rutland – 27 Wales Street (Downtown Hotel and Apartments)
The City of Rutland received a sales tax reallocation award to support infrastructure improvements for a new seven-story mixed-use hotel and apartment building featuring 99 hotel rooms and 26 market-rate apartments. Funds will enhance adjacent municipal infrastructure and streetscapes to improve pedestrian access and outdoor dining spaces downtown.
Administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, this program supports the revitalization of Vermont’s designated downtowns and village centers by providing tax credits that leverage private investment in historic buildings and community spaces. Since its inception, the program has helped restore hundreds of properties, stimulated local economies, and preserved Vermont’s architectural heritage.
