
WILMINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Second homeowners and others are forming a nonprofit group to rebuild businesses in Wilmington, Vt., which is still recovering from Irene.
The Wilmington Fund is working under the auspices of The Preservation Trust of Vermont. Vermont Public Radio reports the group wants to buy damaged buildings from owners who can't afford to repair them and renovate them while maintaining their historic character. They'll rent them to new businesses.
The fund also would give grants and low-cost loans to businesses that want to locate in Wilmington.
About 15 to 20 percent of the businesses in Wilmington are still closed because of damage from Irene.
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