Hampshire County artist co‑op seeks $2,500 to complete building purchase and repairs

Board members of the Hampshire County Artist Co‑op asked commissioners for a modest county contribution on Feb. 10 as they work to purchase and rehabilitate the former Farmers Co‑op building in Romney. The co‑op reported a purchase price near $145,000 and an estimated roof repair cost of about $30,000, for a combined need of roughly $175,000. The group said it has raised about $117,000 so far and is seeking $2,500 from the county to help close the gap and complete urgent work to protect artwork and classroom space.

"We have classes ... and we return dollars to local artists — in 2025 we returned about $35,000 to local artists through sales," one co‑op representative told commissioners, describing the co‑op’s role in community programming. Commissioners thanked the group, noted the request would be for the next budget year (after July 1) and asked the co‑op to appear when the FY2027 budget is being developed in March.

Commissioner Eglanger also offered county grant‑writing assistance where available. The commission did not make an immediate appropriation at the meeting.