Phase 1 of The Village at Winston Prouty, rendering of 300 Maple Street, Brattleboro. village.winstonprouty.org
Phase 1 of The Village at Winston Prouty will strengthen the local hiring pipeline for employers
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Pieciak stood with local leaders in Brattleboro to announce a major $4 million funding commitment from his 10% in VT program to support Phase 1 of The Village at Winston Prouty.
The $9.5 million project will build 28 new units of workforce housing on the Winston Prouty campus. The treasurer’s investment is the most significant tranche of funding committed to date.
Units will target 80 to 120% of area median income, supporting more affordable local housing options, a stronger hiring pipeline for Brattleboro employers, and economic growth for generations to come. Residents will have direct access to child and family services from The Winston Prouty Center and enjoy close proximity to trails and natural green space.
Brattleboro currently has one of the lowest housing vacancy rates in the country (2.7%), driving up costs for renters and homeowners alike. The aging and dilapidated housing stock also burdens residents with high utility costs.
Treasurer Pieciak, who grew up in Brattleboro, said the new development will strengthen the local economy and help attract and retain young people and families.
“Brattleboro is full of local businesses, non-profits, and service providers who care deeply about the community, but they can’t grow and succeed unless working people can afford to live here,” said Treasurer Pieciak. “Brattleboro has invested so much in me. As Treasurer, it is an honor to invest in this project that will expand opportunities for others to lay roots here.”
Phase 1 of The Village at Winston Prouty represents the first development in a master plan to leverage access to town infrastructure and transform the campus’ open space into a vibrant community with over 250 energy-efficient, multi-family homes. The Wheeler House, which stood at the site, was demolished in January. See development flyer below.
Winston Prouty Center Executive Director Chloe Leary said, “We need bold, creative solutions to address our most challenging issues such as housing, and we are grateful for Treasurer Pieciak's leadership on this front. This is the largest commitment to The Village at Winston Prouty to date, and it is a catalyst for bringing together more partnerships for funding that we need to make this project a reality.”
Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter said the project will help ensure the next generation can afford to call Brattleboro home. “Brattleboro’s future depends on whether the next generation can afford to live here,” said Town Manager John Potter. “The Village at Winston Prouty is exactly the kind of partnership we need to make that possible with well-thought-out housing that supports working families and strengthens the future of our community.”
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation Executive Director Adam Grinold highlighted the importance of expanding housing options to support the local workforce. “Housing, workforce capacity, and economic growth go hand in hand,” said Grinold. “The Village at Winston Prouty is a critical step toward building homes that people can afford, so we can attract and retain the workers our economy needs.”
Windham Regional Commission Executive Director Chris Campany emphasized that local support from the community was critical in moving the project forward. “This project began 7 years ago when Winston Prouty reached out to the community to ask how the campus can be used to support local needs. Because of that early and continuous engagement with the community, I’ve seen an uncommon level of support and enthusiasm for a significant housing development project.”
EastRise Credit Union is funding the Phase 1 project and will additionally serve as the financial intermediary. Vice President of Commercial Lending Frank Parisi said, “At EastRise, we believe everyone deserves access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to live in the communities they serve. We are proud to help finance projects like The Village at Winston Prouty that support the long-term vitality of the region.”
Phase 1 of The Village at Winston Prouty is the latest project to earn funding as part of the $30 million in new housing investments recently awarded through Treasurer Pieciak’s 10% in VT program.
The program authorizes the Treasurer’s Office to invest 10% of the State’s average daily cash balance into projects that grow Vermont’s economy and the State’s revenues. The funding, issued through low-interest loans, offsets high interest rates that would otherwise make projects difficult, if not impossible, to finance.
Treasurer Pieciak recently announced significant investments in The Rutland Downtown Hotel Project and the Ride Your Bike Project in Burlington. Both developments will strengthen Vermont’s economy, bolster the local tax base, and spark future investment across the state.
Since becoming Treasurer, Pieciak has invested over $130 million through the 10% in VT program to support over 1,600 new homes. “These historic investments are moving the needle on Vermont’s housing shortage, but we have to keep our eye on the ball. Long term, our office will continue investing in bold solutions that grow our economy, bring down costs, and ensure every Vermonter can afford to live here with dignity.”
The Winston Prouty Center in Brattleboro, Vermont, has embarked on an ambitious project to build housing on its 184-acre campus. In 2021, the Brattleboro Housing Study determined that 500 units of housing were needed to meet local demand. Years later, the demand is even more urgent, with a 2025 Vermont study showing the need for 7,000 new residences statewide per year.
3.12.2026. Montpelier, VT – Treasurer
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