Vermont governor announces $2.2 million in Community Development Program

Joined by community leaders and project organizers, Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced the award of $2.2 million in Vermont Community Development Program funding foraffordable housing, economic development, andother local projects in six Vermont towns. Combined with other sources,these projects will leveragea total of $20.5 million in other public and private resources.
The grants awarded today are federally funded, with the money flowing to the state from the Community Development Block Grant Program of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program is administered by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development with funding decisions recommended by a public board and finalized by Secretary Lawrence Miller.
‘We have Vermont’s Congressional delegation to thank forensuring funding for CDBG continues and making theseimportant projects possible. I offer mycongratulations to the six municipalitiesand their partners selected for this round of grants,’ Gov. Shumlin said. ‘These grants address important issues facing our state and local communities: affordable housing, municipal projects, arts, and jobs.’
The awards announced today went to:
Peru for $75,000,to make accessibilityimprovements to their municipal offices. Improvements include providing ADA parking, installing a new ramp at the front entry, code compliance doors and thresholds, renovating bathrooms for handicap accessibility, and improving access to common areas.
Barre City for $353,500,as a subgrant to Central Vermont Community Land Trust to continue the Green Mountain Revolving Loan Fund, which provides rehabilitation loans and technical assistance to qualified low and moderate income homeowners in Washington, Orange, and Lamoille Counties.
Saxtons River Village for $300,000,as a subgrant to Main Street Arts to improve building accessibility. The project will demolish a vacant building adjacent to the existing Main Street Arts site and build an addition to house an elevator, accessible bathroom, and ramp. Main Street Arts is a nonprofit community arts center providing art, theatre, music, and dance classes, concerts, cabarets, and performances.
Shelburne for $1.25 million,as a deferred loan to Housing Vermont, Champlain Housing Trustand Cathedral Square Corporation to acquire and develop the Dwyer Property in Shelburne Village to construct 42 units of family rental housing, 36 units of senior rental housing and 5single family homes. The 78 units of family and senior housing will beaffordable to low and moderate income residents.
St. Johnsbury for $200,000,to repair the slate roof of the historic Pomerleau Building, the former Railroad Depot, now utilized as Rural Community Transportation Depot, the Welcome Center, and future municipal offices.
Newport City for $30,000, as a subgrant to Northeastern Vermont Development Association for the 2nd phase of planning for the Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center, a combined food production, retail, distribution and education center, to be located in an unoccupied building on Main Street in Newport, VT.
"Newport is pleased to accept the award of the $30,000 Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) planning grant to the City of Newport, on behalf of the Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center,’ said Paul L Monette, Newport City Mayor. ‘This will allow the Tasting Center to proceed to the next level of the planning process helping bring the project closer to reality.’
The Tasting Center will house several commercial producers including Eden Ice Cider, a pub/restaurant and part of the distribution operation of Green Mountain Farm to School making Newport a food hub. The Tasting Center will provide information about all Northeast Kingdom area producers, not just those with operations in the Tasting Center, with event and display programming showcasing wonderful products.
‘This planning grant is Phase Two of the project that was initially started with USDA Rural Development Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) funding of a feasibility study resulting in identification of downtown Newport as the best location in the Northeast Kingdom for the Tasting Center,’ said Patricia M Sears, Executive Director of Newport City Renaissance Corporation.
Newport City Renaissance Corporation, a certified National Main Street® organization, is conducting Newport. Fresh by Nature. a marketing campaign linking Newport’s downtown restaurants with neighboring farms, promoting downtown Newport as a culinary destination. The Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center will be an important element in this program’s celebrations of the area’s natural assets.
‘The Newport City Council is 100 percent behind this project knowing the great benefits it will bring to our downtown’s Main Street,’ said Mayor Monette. ‘The Tasting Center will be a great place for local Vermont producers to showcase their products. This is a win-win for Newport and its neighboring communities."
Governor's office. City of Newport. 2.15.2012