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Winooski council hears $50,000 request to stabilize Downtown Winooski; no vote taken
Summary
At a special March 31 meeting, Downtown Winooski described an operating shortfall and asked the city for a $50,000 infusion to preserve paid staff and programming during Main Street reconstruction. Councilors asked questions and deferred a decision to a follow-up meeting.
Winooski City Councilors discussed a one-time $50,000 funding request from Downtown Winooski at a special meeting on March 31; councilors did not take a vote and scheduled further consideration at a follow-up meeting.
The request, presented by Downtown Winooski leaders, is intended to stabilize the nonprofit’s operating budget so it can keep two paid staff members and continue business-support programming during a multi-year Main Street reconstruction. Laura Wade, chair of Downtown Winooski, told councilors the organization "restored our nonprofit status" after earlier tax problems but that "our current financial plan is not sustainable."
Why it matters: Downtown Winooski runs events, provides marketing and business liaison services and supports small businesses during a projected six-year Main Street construction period. Staff and board leaders told councilors that losing paid staff would sharply reduce the group’s capacity to run events, apply for grants and coordinate construction-related business supports.
Downtown Winooski leaders said the group has been…
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