Some photos from the press event we held this afternoon to announce Vermont's winning $2.6 million in funding from the MacArthur Foundation.

The event was held at North Branch Apartments in Montpelier and was attended by about 20 people.

Details about the award are in our press release.

Representatives from Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) and Central Vermont Community Land Trust (CVCLT) announced Vermont will receive $2.6 million from the MacArthur Foundation.

The foundation's investment — a $600,000 grant to VHCB and a $2 million loan to VHFA — recognizes Vermont’s longstanding commitment to the preservation of rental housing.

Vermont Housing Finance Agency and other organizations that fund mortgage loans using tax-exempt housing bonds have a little something to cheer about.

VHFA loans are now eligible for a Home Buyer Tax Credit, as part of the recently-passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter was interviewed for a couple of TV news stories regarding President Obama's economic recovery package.

Fox 44 in Colchester and WCAX Channel 3 in Burlington spoke with Sarah following the president's talk in Arizona yesterday.