Downtown Conference Set For Friday

Health of Vermont’s Downtowns To Be Discussed

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Officials from communities around the state are slated to convene in Middlebury on Friday to learn more about strengthening Vermont’s downtowns, and to discuss their current conditions.

The Vermont Downtown Program’s 8th annual Downtown Conference will features several national speakers as well as Vermont experts and will focus primarily on economic development and developing and sustaining local entrepreneurism in downtowns and village centers.

“This conference is about sharing best practices and success stories about redeveloping our downtowns,” said Joss Besse, Director of the Downtown Program. “We are very pleased to welcome as our keynote speaker François Varin, Directeur General of the Fondation Rues Principales – the Downtown Program for the Province of Quebec.”

Varin will discuss how his organization’s program works; its experiences in downtown revitalization across Quebec and other provinces; and how Vermont and Quebec can work more closely to preserve, protect and sustain our downtowns.

In addition there will be conference sessions on how communities can best make use of state and federal tax credits for rehabilitating historic buildings; using social media; and how downtowns and businesses can brand and promote themselves.

Smart Growth Vermont is sponsoring a panel discussion on the health of Vermont’s downtowns, and there will be a walking tour of downtown Middlebury in the afternoon.

Governor Jim Douglas will kick off the event in his hometown, and during the luncheon hour the Green Mountain Awards honoring outstanding works in downtown revitalization will be presented.

To date, 23 downtowns and 94 village centers are designated and all older and historic buildings in these designated areas are eligible for investment incentives.

To become a Designated Downtown, communities must have both a downtown revitalization organization and demonstrate their commitment and capacity to support such a program, as well as meet several other requirements. Village centers go through a similar, but abbreviated process.

Designated communities become eligible to compete for funding for building rehabilitation and safety improvements, and transportation projects.

For more information or to register, please visit: www.historicvermont.org/programs/downtown.html