The East Calais Community Trust has been awarded $75,000 in state tax credits from the Downtown and Village Center Tax Credit Program, Department of Housing and Community Development.
The tax credits were awarded July 27 with formal letter of notification received Aug 3.
The funds will help underwrite the costs of some of the rehabilitation of the commercial section of the building where the General Store operated until last December. $25,000 of the funds will be used toward exterior rehabilitation of this historic building. The remaining $50,000 will be applied to making the commercial area ADA accessible (Americans with Disabilities Act) with a new bathroom and ramp, as well as improving electrical and fire safety measures to meet current codes.
East Calais architect Ryan Edwards of R. Edwards & Co. was hired to develop the schematic design for the historic rehabilitation.
The ECCT is excited to have received this award as a major step toward renovating the building to open a store that will serve the larger Community between East Montpelier and Hardwick.
In addition, the Trust recently received its non-profit Federal 501c3 status. Community support in the form of tax-deductible donations continues to provide a critical source of funding to bring this project to fruition and is greatly appreciated. Checks can be made out to East Calais Community Trust, PO Box 14, East Calais, VT 05650.
Watch for more information on the project as we make continued progress.