Old Church Theater board member Ken Hullican, of Bradford, Vt., moves set materials from behind the stage to a caravan of waiting trucks and trailers during the volunteer moving day for the Old Church Theater in Bradford, Vt., on Dec. 10, 2017. The 224 year old church will be renovated over a three year period, and during that time a temporary site on Waits River Road will act as the home and storage space for the Old Church Theater, which will resume productions in June 2018. (Sarah Priestap Photograph)
Old Church Theater board member Ken Hullican, of Bradford, Vt., moves set materials from behind the stage to a caravan of waiting trucks and trailers during the volunteer moving day for the Old Church Theater in Bradford, Vt., on Dec. 10, 2017. The 224 year old church will be renovated over a three year period, and during that time a temporary site on Waits River Road will act as the home and storage space for the Old Church Theater, which will resume productions in June 2018. (Sarah Priestap Photograph) Credit: Sarah Priestap photograph

Nine projects in village centers on the Vermont side of the Upper Valley, including Norwich and Bradford, Vt., have earned tax credits through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

The Downtown and Village Center Tax Credit Program gives developers a break on state income taxes for “projects that improve building safety, attract new business, and create jobs,” according to the agency.

“Downtowns are the hub of many communities and helping them to thrive is key to growing Vermont’s economy,” Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said in a news release last week.

Among the 34 projects statewide to earn a total of $3.3 million in credits are nine in the Upper Valley including:

Jenkins House: 81 N. Main St., Bradford, Vt., Village Ventures earned $212,230 in tax credits to put toward renovating the 1836-era building into four apartments.

Old Church Theater: 137 N. Main St., Bradford, Vt. The nonprofit performing arts organization earned $138,546 to put toward converting the 1793-era structure into a year-round performing arts center.

Bridge + Main: Two buildings Village Ventures is renovating in downtown Fairlee — 26 Bridge St. and 573 Main St., collectively known as Bridge + Main — to create affordable housing units earned $100,000 and $125,000, respectively, in tax credits.

Norwich Grange Hall: 344 Main St., Norwich. The nonprofit Norwich Community Collaborative earned $177,500 in tax credits to put toward restoring the 1892-era gathering place.

Skinner Block: 206 Chelsea St., South Royalton. Thomas Powers, who owns the Skinner Block, earned $64,200 to put toward making the building code compliant and restoring its facade.

Coburns’ General Store: 216 Route 132, Strafford. The Strafford Community Trust, which purchased the historic general store this summer, earned $13,750 for upgrades to the 1870-era building.

Old Telegraph Building: 103 Gates St., White River Junction. The Center for Cartoon Studies earned $185,000 in tax credits to put toward turning the 1922-era structure into a production lab, a learning center, an original art archive, studio space, classrooms and a bookstore/gallery.

American Precision Museum: 196 Main St., Windsor. The nonprofit organization earned $157,452 in tax credits, which will go toward renovating the 1846-era Robbins & Lawrence Armory where it houses its collection.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.