Preservation Trust outlines $10 million Village Trust Initiative to support 20 Vermont villages
February 04, 2026 | General & Housing, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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Preservation Trust of Vermont presented the Village Trust Initiative to the Committee on Federal and Housing on Feb. 3, describing a program that aims to help small Vermont villages preserve and reuse historic buildings as community assets.
Ben Doyle, president of Preservation Trust of Vermont, said the organization 9s mission is "to build community through preservation of historic buildings, villages, and boundaries," and described a model in which a local community trust (a nonprofit) acquires real estate and leases it to private operators under terms that keep operations viable. Doyle told the committee the initiative received a $10,000,000 congressional directed spending award to support 20 villages of 2,500 or fewer residents over the next seven years with predevelopment and implementation resources.
Nicole Gratton, who administers the Village Trust Initiative, described the program 9s wraparound services: community engagement and visioning, nonprofit formation (5(0)(3) support), technical assessments (architectural, structural, environmental), and help assembling a funding stack. The presenters said the initiative will provide consulting and paid professional services to communities and leverage the award to attract additional philanthropic, state, and federal funds.
The presentation included case studies (Albany general store, East Calais, Gilman school reuse, Redding Grange, Orwell general store) that illustrated challenges—deferred maintenance, complex funding stacks, environmental testing—and outcomes such as childcare retention, accessible community spaces, and new revenue for local economies. Committee members asked technical questions about church conversions, accessibility, childcare preservation and timelines; presenters emphasized phased work, partnerships with Vermont Council on Rural Development and Vermont Community Foundation, and ongoing capital campaigns.
Presenters said selection criteria for the remaining communities will prioritize geographic spread, local readiness, and projects that can use the program 9s combination of predevelopment support and matching funds to leverage other sources. Preservation Trust encouraged committee members to refer communities with old buildings in need of assistance.
No committee action was taken on the initiative itself during the session; the presentation served as an update and request for continued partnership between the nonprofit coalition and state leaders.
Ben Doyle, president of Preservation Trust of Vermont, said the organization 9s mission is "to build community through preservation of historic buildings, villages, and boundaries," and described a model in which a local community trust (a nonprofit) acquires real estate and leases it to private operators under terms that keep operations viable. Doyle told the committee the initiative received a $10,000,000 congressional directed spending award to support 20 villages of 2,500 or fewer residents over the next seven years with predevelopment and implementation resources.
Nicole Gratton, who administers the Village Trust Initiative, described the program 9s wraparound services: community engagement and visioning, nonprofit formation (5(0)(3) support), technical assessments (architectural, structural, environmental), and help assembling a funding stack. The presenters said the initiative will provide consulting and paid professional services to communities and leverage the award to attract additional philanthropic, state, and federal funds.
The presentation included case studies (Albany general store, East Calais, Gilman school reuse, Redding Grange, Orwell general store) that illustrated challenges—deferred maintenance, complex funding stacks, environmental testing—and outcomes such as childcare retention, accessible community spaces, and new revenue for local economies. Committee members asked technical questions about church conversions, accessibility, childcare preservation and timelines; presenters emphasized phased work, partnerships with Vermont Council on Rural Development and Vermont Community Foundation, and ongoing capital campaigns.
Presenters said selection criteria for the remaining communities will prioritize geographic spread, local readiness, and projects that can use the program 9s combination of predevelopment support and matching funds to leverage other sources. Preservation Trust encouraged committee members to refer communities with old buildings in need of assistance.
No committee action was taken on the initiative itself during the session; the presentation served as an update and request for continued partnership between the nonprofit coalition and state leaders.
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