Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) Nov. 13 announced over $4 million in funding for 13 rehabilitation and revitalization projects in 12 of Vermont’s designated downtown and village centers. 

Officials say these awards will generate over $160 million in building improvements and public infrastructure around the state. 

In the past 10 years, the state tax credit program has leveraged over $28 million in federal rehabilitation tax credits—resulting in the creation and rehabilitation of 338 housing units and support for over 100 businesses in 24 downtowns and 248 village centers.

In 2024, $4.1 million in tax credits will offset the costs of major investments in projects including:

• The Leonard Block, a vacant mixed-use commercial/residential building in Brattleboro, will be rehabilitated to provide 10 apartments and street-level commercial space. Tax credits will support mandated code upgrades as well as restoration of historic features, while improving the building’s energy efficiency.
• The former Bennington High School will be redeveloped to provide 39 units of housing, with both affordable and market-rate units, along with a childcare facility and public meeting space. A state tax credit award will support flood mitigation measures and the building’s sensitive historic rehabilitation.
• The Starksboro Meetinghouse and Starksboro Cooperative Pre-School are partnering to renovate this historic building’s lower level to provide space for a growing childcare facility, increasing enrollment. State tax credits will support these code upgrades and façade repairs to the building’s important historic features.
• Historically a hotel and rooming house, the Greenough Block in White River Junction will be rehabilitated to provide 12 apartments with a ground-floor commercial space. The work will ensure the preservation of the building’s historic character. State tax credits will support required code upgrades and façade restoration.

Traffic lights out in Vergennes this morning – All traffic lights in the city of Vergennes are not working at this time, state officials said this morning. Motorists are reminded that an intersection without traffic lights should be approached as a four way stop. This incident is expected to last until further notice. Specific details are not yet available and “updates will be provided as appropriate,” officials said. 

Police academy graduation – the graduation of the Vermont Police Academy 118th Basic Recruit Class will be held Wednesday, November 27 in the gym at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford. 

2024 high water mark for American Marxism? The Americanism versus Marxism Symposium next month hopes to “set the tone for 2025,” organizer Ed Wheeler said. 

Date/Time: December 7, 10 to 12 noon and 1 PM to 3 PM. Place: Valley Bible Church, 322 East Main St., Middlebury, VT, (Rt. 125 East. East Middlebury). The schedule will include two sessions: 

“The Foundations”, 10 to 12 Noon. This will be important especially for those who have not participated in the past although all are welcome and there will be some new information. 

“The Present Situation”, 10 to 12 Noon. This will be important for all participants. Today the lessons are more clear and unmistakable than ever! We will talk about how to move forward in restoring Americanism and making 2024 the high water mark for Marxism in the USA.