Downtown Renaissance

The Newport City Renaissance Corporation (NCRC) was founded in July 2007 as a private, non-profit, non-governmental organization; its reason for existence is to serve as a catalyst for transforming Newport’s community and economic development.

How?
The NCRC does this by advancing and enhancing the economic environment, development of a cohesive and welcoming City design and promoting the City as a destination for tourism and business investment.

Why?
To transform downtown Newport into a memorable experience that highlights businesses, lifestyle, the community, and protects and grows jobs.

With support from a USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) and partnership with Jay Peak Resort and the City of Newport, Newport City Renaissance Corporation has developed a brand for marketing Newport: Newport. Genuine by Nature. A logo and a strategic media campaign are now in place. As you can see, discovernewportvt.com has been completely redesigned and updated.

Some of the things we're most proud of:

• Being instrumental in bringing $12,000 in tax credits to the owners of a downtown buildings in 2010.
• Generating significant interest in growing Newport’s economic development, which translates into more customers for Newport businesses.
• Designing a welcoming downtown with improvements in a walkable streetscape, new way-finding signs and flowers in baskets & barrels.
• Promoting Newport's downtown events that showcase arts & culture, recreation, shopping and dining experiences.
• Designing our marketing efforts to drive new customers, visitors and business investors, and increasing customer loyalty for businesses in downtown Newport. This has a regional impact. And means more customers for Newport's businesses.
• Marketing Newport’s lifestyle assets as a memorable experience in a consistent coordinated manner.

Using the momentum NCRC has gained through partnerships with local, state and federal government leaders and agencies, our team continues building from its groundbreaking accomplishments that include, but not limited to:

• Newport is 1st in VT to receive grant from American Institute of Architects (AIA) for a Regional/Urban Design Assitance Team (R/UDAT) in 2009
• Newport is 1st in the state of VT to adopt form-based code streamlining the permit process for developers while maintaining the fabric of the downtown's architecture (2010)
• Leading expansion and enhancement of the Newport State Airport (EFK) (ongoing)
• Leading establishment of a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) that includes Newport and surrounding communities (2011)
• Newport City Renaissance Corporation is one of only 5 VT downtowns to received accreditation from National Main Street Program (2011)

More business. More jobs. More customers. Newport is Open for Business.

Contact Newport City Renaissance Corporation's Executive Director, Patricia M Sears (patricia.sears@discovernewportvt.com or 802 323 1056), for more news and information on how you can be involved and benefit.