World 100621

Governor Phil Scott
Announces Winners of over
$3.6 Million in Downtown and
Village Center Tax Incentives
Governor Phil Scott announced funding to support 28 rehabilitation
and revitalization projects in 22 of Vermont’s designated
downtown and village centers. These awards will help
generate over $83 million in building improvements and
public infrastructure to support local businesses, create new
housing opportunities and incentivize investments that will
improve the resiliency and vitality of Vermont’s community
centers.
“Like so many aspects of our lives, neighborhoods and
economy, Vermont’s downtowns and villages have been significantly
impacted by the pandemic. That is why it is inspiring
to see so many Vermont companies, non-profits and individuals
committed to making significant investments for the
future of their communities. This collaborative approach is
part of the reason our Downtown Program is so successful,”
said Governor Scott. “The kind of projects we’re funding
today, along with the strategic use of federal relief dollars,
gives us the opportunity to make transformative change that
will have long-lasting impacts around the state.”
In 2021, $3.6 million in tax credits will offset the costs of
major investments to projects, including transformation of the
former Bennington High School into a community center with
recreation and arts programs, local businesses, and new housing;
creation of three apartments in a formerly vacant home in
the village of East Hardwick; reinvestment to support the
reopening of Currier’s Market in Glover; and support of a
major investment to adapt a vacant warehouse at the former
Ide Feed Mill in St. Johnsbury into a processing facility for a
local hemp-based manufacturing company.
“The Downtown and Village Center tax credit program has
remained popular, despite recent economic uncertainty,” said
Department of Housing and Community Development
Commissioner Josh Hanford. “The continued fierce competition
for funding we see every year is a testament both to the
effectiveness of the program, but also to the dedication of so
many Vermonters who continue to invest in making the place
they call home even better for their residents, businesses, and
visitors.”
Based on the success of this program, Governor Scott has
proposed increasing available credits each year since coming
to office. And with support from the Vermont Legislature, the
cap on these credits has been raised from $2.4 million to $3
million over the last five years.
For a complete list of projects visit the Department of
Housing and Community Development website.
• • •
Stormwater Treatment continued
of Environmental Conservation issued the 3-acre permit in
September of 2020, which includes requiring all properties
with greater than 3-acres of impervious surfaces (including
properties developed prior to 2002 stormwater permit regulations)
to treat stormwater runoff before it enters nearby waterways.
For more information on the Stormwater General
Permit 3-9050 please visit https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/
stormwater/9050.
The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission continues
to work with its member municipalities to encourage
efforts to improve water quality and to help them meet the
3-acre permit. The CVRPC assists its member municipalities
to provide effective local government and work cooperatively
to address regional issues. The Commission also works with
area nonrofits other regional organiations tate and ederal
agencies, and the public to implement projects and programs
tailored to Central Vermont and statewide needs. For more information
on CVRPC, visit www.centralvtplanning.org.
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October 6, 2021 The WORLD page 5