News

As an active member of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Coalition, RuralEdge was asked to testify on the importance of VHCB funding in our work. Testimony was provided by Patrick Shattuck, RuralEdge Executive Director

Evernorth and RuralEdge were joined by community members, funders and local elected officials on Friday afternoon to celebrate newly renovated buildings and significant progress to a newly constructed building on Burkeland Lane.

Not only is the New Avenue project a renovation success, and it has become a catalyst for other downtown projects and activities, helping to rejuvenate and reinvigorate a critical area of downtown St. Johnsbury.

SAINT JOHNSBURY—On January 26th, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) awarded RuralEdge $1.4 Million to acquire and rehabilitate two vacant properties in St. Johnsbury, 138 Cherry Street & 759 Railroad Street, into seven units of permanent affordable housing.

RuralEdge, the primary developer of affordable housing in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont recently received a $10,000 donation from CATIC, a regional title insurance company which often provides title insurance to affordable housing projects. The donation is to assist RuralEdge in their efforts to help residents achieve and maintain homeownership in three of Vermont’s most rural counties.

RuralEdge was asked to testify to the impact of the New Avenue redevelopment on the St. Johnsbury community. Below is the transcript of testimony provided to the House General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee by Executive Director Patrick Shattuck

Evernorth, RuralEdge, New Depot Square Commercial Properties, LLC, funders, elected officials and community members were among those that celebrated the much-anticipated re-opening of New Avenue that is already bringing new life and vitality to downtown St. Johnsbury.

Last week, RuralEdge purchased the Brightlook Apartments in an effort to preserve the affordability of 18 units of housing in St. Johnsbury with the assistance of funding from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and financing from the Vermont Community Loan Fund.

Nearly one year into the substantial rehabilitation work on the former Depot Square Apartments, now known as New Avenue, the project has brought substantial changes to the building and to the community it will once again serve.

RuralEdge has received a $45,000 Preservation Grant from the Freeman Foundation and the Preservation Trust of Vermont to continue repairs and upgrades to the Pierce Block in the heart of Barton.