Southern Vermont CEDS: Projects
Congratulations to our 2025 Vital Projects:
Achieving a Thriving Regional Food System Through Infrastructure Investments - Food Connects
Food Connects is building a multi-faceted food storage and distribution facility within the BDCC Business Park in Brattleboro that will serve various needs of the regional food system, including farms, food producers, retail grocers, farm stands, general stores and institutions. As a “food hub” we work with over 150 food producers and distribute to over 300 wholesale customers. When complete, our facility will provide over 10,000 sq ft of cold, frozen and dry food storage and 7 distribution trucks able to support more local producers, food businesses and institutions. Project outcomes include rural economic development, job creation, food entrepreneurship, marketing of Southern Vermont as a food destination, supply chain resiliency and increased regional food security.
Advancing Southern Vermont’s Workforce - Vermont Adult Learning
Vermont Adult Learning (VAL) is the largest adult ed provider in Vermont, annually serving 1,400+ individuals 16 years and older whose educational needs have not been met by traditional schooling. Since 2021, VAL has supported statewide workforce development and employer needs in the green energy sector through Energy Works, which provides entry level training in Weatherization and Heat Pump Installation, credentials in OSHA-10, First Aid/CPR, and EPA-608, and career readiness, job shadows, and job placement support. In 2026, VAL plans to execute “Health Works", a new opportunity in Southern Vermont (Westminster, Brattleboro and Bennington) for individuals to explore healthcare careers and receive individualized support to navigate next steps, while also continuing Energy Works.
Arlington Common Fitness Center
The Arlington Common Fitness Center Project focuses on one area of our two-acre campus (purchased
in 2021 by the Arlington Arts and Enrichment Program from St. Mary Margaret’s Church) in the town
village center. The Fitness Center will be renovated from an adapted parish hall to a proper fitness space with a studio and gym with the additional construction of two flexible-use indoor pickleball courts and a pickup basketball court.
Bellows Falls Intermodal Transportation Center (BFITC) formerly BF Historic Train Station Purchase and Renovation - Town of Rockingham
1923 Bellows Falls Union Station, a contributing structure on the national register, and active intercity bus and rail station. The Town purchased the station, closing on March 25, 2025. The dilapidating will be remediated of hazardous materials, lead and asbestos, & vapor intrusion and repair the brick facade, doors and windows. Next phase will renovate all the mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, with infrastructure and fit-up for a full service restaurant. VTrans and Amtrak are improving/restoring the intercity passenger rail platform. We will lease space to passenger travel-related businesses like localvore teaching restaurant.
Benn High Redevelopment Project - Vermont Housing Initiative, LLC
The Benn High Redevelopment Project will transform the long-vacant, historic Bennington High School at 650 Main Street in Bennington’s Designated Downtown into a vibrant community hub. The 100,000 sq. ft. building will provide 39 new homes (17 perpetually affordable and 22 workforce units), a 102-child capacity childcare facility, and community spaces including a senior center, YMCA recreation areas, and offices for UVM Extension. The project also remediates a state-listed brownfield site, incorporates floodproofing and renewable energy systems, and represents a landmark public-private partnership revitalizing one of Bennington’s most iconic properties.
Brattleboro Area Adult Driving Academy / Brattleboro Area Immigrant Driving Academy
The Brattleboro Area Adult Driving Academy / Brattleboro Area Immigrant Driving Academy (BAADA / BAIDA) is a not-for-profit educational institution committed to providing underserved adult clients with driver safety lessons, simulator training, behind-the-wheel training, and a baseline of highway safety knowledge and driving skills that will support the pursuit of obtaining a Vermont Driver's License. It's crucial to note that Vermont adults can not use Vermont High School driver education programs. They need a separate pathway to receive the driver training necessary to test for a VT Driver's license. Recognizing the need, Karren Meyer established BAADA / BAIDA on March 3, 2025.
Chalet Preservation and Redevelopment - Windham & Windsor Housing Trust
In a transformative and high impact redevelopment informed by neighborhood voices, Windham & Windsor Housing Trust is reimagining the Chalet property into a new neighborhood which meets a broad swath of community household needs. Phased development will preserve the original Chalet building and create a new neighborhood with a carefully considered blend of architectural types totaling 70 homes. The site design includes single family homes for homeownership, townhouses and new multi-family buildings for rental opportunities, and community space in the iconic and fully renovated Chalet building. The overall concept plan is permitted by the town and phase 1 (the focus of this application) will break ground '26.
Expanding Access to Trades Training in Southern Vermont - HatchSpace
HatchSpace is a growing woodworking school & community workshop in the heart of downtown Brattleboro devoted to advancing the learning, practice, and applications of woodworking skills. HatchSpace is expanding programs to serve as Southern Vermont’s workforce development center for trades training with a focus on careers in the wood product industries, carpentry and related construction sectors. HatchSpace fills the community, cultural, and economic needs stemming from the disappearance of craft education within our schools by delivering innovative, accessible, vocationally relevant, and skills-based training in woodworking for diverse audiences. By growing our workforce programs and securing our long-term downtown home, we're poised to have broad economic impact.
Grace Cottage Family Health New Primary Care Clinic Building
Grace Cottage Family Health has outgrown its primary care facility, currently located in two 1840s-era houses that lack efficiency. The number of patient visits increased by 50% between 2018-2022 and has remained steady since. We could serve more people with more space - the existing clinic space cannot accommodate the community's growing need for services. This project improves healthcare access and allows space for several additional well-paying jobs in the near future.
Architectural plans for Grace Cottage's new clinic building are in hand (see gracecottage.org/future), and permitting is nearly complete (see details below). This project has Vital Project and RPP #1 status; we seek renewal of these designations.
Living Memorial Park Pool Renovation - Town of Brattleboro
Brattleboro community pool facility replacement: This project involves replacement of the pool, wading pool/water playground, and bath house. The purpose of this project is to rebuild Brattleboro’s pool facility to provide a safe and accessible pool facility for the community that will include a new pool, bath house, and splash pad that features updated mechanical systems, ADA accessibility, and gender-neutral bathrooms, and contemporary water features. Benefits of this project include preserving an asset that serves Brattleboro and surrounding towns as well as providing a safe and accessible place for persons of all backgrounds and ages to recreate, exercise, and have social interaction. It also preserves employment opportunities for community members during the summer season.
Out in the Open's Rural LGBTQ+ Organizing & Retreat Campus
Out in the Open is a multiracial, grassroots, movement & capacity building organization whose mission is to connect rural LGBTQ+ people to build community, visibility, knowledge, and power. We will build out a retreat center campus & community center for rural LGBTQ+ people including youth, families, adults & elders at our new 3.1 acre property in West Brattleboro. The Campus will include daytime & evening community gathering space, overnight accommodations, open access to nature, short term respite housing, art studio & workshop space, a social movement history research library & archive, a commercial kitchen, bathing facilities, a wood-fired sauna, and more.
Renovation Project for the Old School Community Center - Old School Enrichment Council, Inc.
Childcare expansion and general renovations (including siding, window replacement, ADA entry ramps, bathrooms, painting, flooring, meeting room spaces, roof repair, music space, parking lot paving, etc.) at the Old School Community Center are critical to sustaining & expanding essential services that benefit residents of all ages across Deerfield Valley and other Southern Vermont towns. The center in Wilmington is a vital hub with childcare services, small businesses, non-profits, community events, senior programming, recreational activities, artist lofts, teen programs, and youth sports. By maintaining and improving the facility, we ensure that these crucial services and opportunities for engagement continue to thrive, fostering community well-being and economic growth in the region.
Having projects included in the CEDS indicates that your project is aligned with regional goals -- which bolsters funding applications and can improve visibility with potential funders who may be looking for opportunities in specific areas. Projects can be … - Physical improvements to facilities and infrastructure - Community programs, from summer camps to workforce initiatives - In any stage, from planning to implementation - Previously submitted (updates are valued, even if the project is already on the CEDS list) Projects must be submitted before September 8, 2023.
The CEDS is a federally-approved action plan for growing the Southern Vermont economy with a regional public process. Each year the CEDS is updated with new and updated “CEDS Projects” submissions which highlight projects, programs, and activities that address Southern Vermont’s greatest needs and enhance the region’s competitiveness. CEDS Project submissions are reviewed and ranked on how each project will advance and impact the CEDS objectives, as well as readiness to begin, partners, and investments made. While the inclusion of a project in the CEDS does not guarantee future investment, it does indicate to federal, state, and philanthropic funders that the project is aligned with the region’s economic and community development goals. This annual process also ensures regional and statewide organizations have a clear understanding of southern Vermont projects in the works or underway.