ALBANY — Governor Phil Scott recently announced the allocation of $28,220 in state tax credits to Albany Community Trust.
The Albany General Store was devastated by fire back in early 2014 and was forced to close.
It was purchased by Albany Community Trust, a non-profit that plans to re-open the store as a small retail grocery, bakery, and take-out deli with space for small community gatherings.
Tax credits will go to support cleanup and code improvements, as well as an exterior facelift so that the exterior of the building built in 1974 will blend in with its 19th-century neighbors.
The total project cost is estimated to come in at $778,010.
“The state tax credits that ACT received in 2018 to help rebuild the store’s mechanical systems and install new clapboards were really important to launching this project,” said Kristen Fountain, Albany Community Trust’s board treasurer. “This second round to help pay for cleaning up contamination found on site since then will support a strong finish.”
The cleanup work was also supported by the Vermont Brownfields Cleanup Grant also from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
The store renovation would not be possible without support from the Preservation Trust of Vermont, USDA Rural Development, and Northeastern Vermont Development Association, as well as more than 160 donating organizations and individuals.
Albany Community Trust is continuing to raise money for the store project in the hopes of ending the project debt-free.
Donations can be made via their website: albanycommunitytrust.org or by mail at P.O. Box 509, Albany, VT 05820.
For questions, contact [email protected]
