RuralEdge Executive Director Patrick Shattuck explains Newport Crossing historic conservation features to VT State Rep. Scott Campbell. Courtesy RuralEdge.
Vermont Business Magazine RuralEdge and its Board of Directors recently hosted state legislators, the Mayor of Newport, city council members, and Newport town selectboard members for “sneak peek” tours of both Newport Crossing apartment communities. Although the project is still under construction, the group got a preview of the former Sacred Heart Convent property in the City of Newport and the two newly constructed buildings in Newport Center.
Of those participating, there were three graduates of the former Sacred Heart High School. In total, the properties will provide 40 new units for Vermonters in the Newport area, while remediating two brownfield sites. These rental units are permanently affordable. From large family-sized townhouse units just doors from the Newport Town School to smaller units with big views adjacent to existing neighborhoods and an easy walk to downtown Newport, Newport Crossing brings security and opportunity to Orleans County and its residents.
These permanently affordable homes allow teachers to live near their classrooms, healthcare workers to stay close to patients, and local employees to live in the towns where they work. Families can establish roots, kids can thrive in the same schools, older adults can remain in their communities, and neighbors can look out for one another.
RuralEdge and Vermont’s housing network build permanently affordable homes by leveraging federal and private investments in addition to state funds primarily awarded through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, stewarding dollars and simultaneously creating community assets.
The total development cost of Newport Crossing is $21,871,000, of which VHCB provided just under 45%, most of that from ARPA. The remaining costs were covered by nearly a dozen other sources including private investment from both Community National Bank and Passumpsic Bank, and federal funds including the EPA. Newport Crossing Apartments will be available to rent by the spring of 2026.
Interested community members can apply at https://ruraledge.org/apply or request a paper application by calling 802-535-3555.
December 2, 2025, Newport, RuralEdge
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