Putney General Store receives federal grant

The Putney General Store moved another step closer to being revitalized Friday with the presentation of a federal grant in the form of a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant administered by the Vermont Community Development Program. Governor Douglas made the presentation to Stuart Strothman, President of the Putney Historical Society, in front of the store Friday afternoon before a crowd of about 50 residents and others involved in moving the project forward.

The governor stressed the importance of the Putney General Store as more than a retail establishment. It is a community focal point, a source of community identity and coherence for Putney. Strothman emphasized that the grant is an important step in the process, but that a significant fundraising effort will follow to raise the estimated $400,000 to $600,000 necessary to fit up the building for operation.
The historical society took the initiative in November to purchase the property from former owner Erhan Oge through bridge loans from community members and a seed grant from the Preservation Trust of Vermont. Stabilization phase funding has allowed the roof to be replaced and the building cleaned out and partially stabilized. The new grant, along with a previously received grant from the Vermont Community Foundation and significant community contributions, will allow the loans to be repaid and the stabilization work to continue.

The plan is for the downstairs to be leased to a general store operator and the upstairs to be used for some historical society space, and an office or apartment. Several letters of interest have been received in response to a request for proposals to operate the store from interested parties.