$149 million bond rejected by 60% – 40% margin
By Guy Page and Paul Bean
A $149 million proposal to build a new Central Vermont Career Center in Graniteville was rejected by voters by 59.8% – 40.2%.
The final tally of the November 4 vote across 18 towns was 5751 no, 3873 yes, according to press reports this afternoon including the Waterbury Roundabout and the Valley Reporter.
You can read the full list of towns here.
Supporters praised the project as a shot in the arm for jobs training to replace a generation of retiring workers in the lucrative trades fields, allowing young Vermonters to earn high wages and hopefully be able to afford a new home. Critics say the pricetag was too high and that Central Vermont already has tech center training.
The bond would have increased property taxes across CVCC’s 18 member towns by an average of $291.78 annually, based on a $300,000 home value over 30 years. Tax increases vary by town: Cabot would see the lowest at $99 per year, while East Montpelier would face the highest at $420. Montpelier, Barre City, and Berlin would see increases of $365, $373, and $384, respectively.
The new center would expand CVCC’s construction trades, electrical, plumbing, and heating programs, with potential additions like business, cybersecurity & IT, diesel mechanics, digital media arts, and human and natural resources programs.
It would also introduce career pathways for ninth and tenth graders in design, construction, manufacturing, and health and natural sciences, offering early safety training and industry credentials.
If approved, the facility would have opened in 2029 to make way for growing student interest in trade careers and address regional workforce needs in high-demand fields. The facility would provide full-day programming to 500 students in the Central Vermont area.