by Bryan Marovich

NEWPORT –– A promotional video released Friday by Newport Downtown Development showcases a city attempting to rebuild trust and economic vitality years after a fraudulent development scheme left downtown with an empty construction site and disillusioned residents.

“This video is a love letter to Newport,” said Rick Ufford-Chase, who serves as both Newport’s mayor and director of Newport Downtown Development. “It captures the spirit of our people, the majesty of Lake Memphremagog, and the significant economic strides we’ve made.”

The video also directly addresses the EB-5 scandal that halted a major downtown project and features candid discussions of ongoing housing shortages that city officials say are preventing employers from retaining new workers.

The film includes testimonials from residents, business owners and visitors describing Newport’s community culture and outdoor recreation assets. International open water swimmers praise the lakeside city’s swimming events, while visitors from Montreal describe family-friendly concerts and festivals that draw cross-border crowds.

But the video also confronts challenges head-on. Local employers describe losing signed employment contracts when new hires cannot find affordable housing in the area. One resident speaks of “promises that didn’t come to fruition” and the distrust created when the EB-5 development project collapsed, leaving what multiple speakers describe as “literally a hole in the ground.”

Newport Downtown Development is now proposing Tax Increment Financing to fund infrastructure improvements needed to support new development. The plan calls for 400 housing units in the downtown core along with commercial space, public parking, a recreation center and a hotel. Under TIF mechanisms, infrastructure costs would be repaid through new tax revenue generated by development rather than through tax increases on existing properties.

The initiative requires state approval. Aging infrastructure has prevented developers from making projects financially viable and the city must take responsibility for improvements before growth can occur.

The video features local businesses including Eden Ciders, which has won international awards, and restaurants like The East Side, which has operated on the lake for more than 30 years.

Newport’s location six miles from the Canadian border and proximity to Jay Peak Resort and Burke Mountain feature prominently. The film describes the Northeast Kingdom and Quebec’s Eastern Townships as one intertwined community.

Young residents appear in the video expressing determination to revitalize the city. “I want it to matter that a group of us tried to turn this city’s prospects around,” one says.

The project received funding through Vermont’s Transformational Tourism, Events, and Regional Marketing Grant. Mt. Mansfield Media produced the video.