The fate of Vermont’s former Green Mountain College campus is once again hanging in the balance, and it’s a story that’s as complex as it is emotional. Imagine a place that’s been everything from a hub of higher education to a potential luxury resort, and now it’s up for grabs—again. First, alumni tried to buy it back after the college closed in 2019. Then came whispers of it becoming a prison or rehab center. And just when you thought it couldn’t get more intriguing, plans for a high-end booze-centric resort emerged. But here’s where it gets controversial: liquor magnate Raj Bhakta, who once envisioned a $100 million complex of hotels, condos, and a micro-distillery, has now scrapped those plans entirely. Instead, he’s looking to donate the 115-acre property to a Catholic organization—but with a catch. According to a website seeking proposals, the ideal recipient must align with a vision of ‘spiritual revival’ rooted in Christian faith. Is this a step backward to the campus’s 1800s origins as a Methodist seminary, or a bold leap into a new era? And this is the part most people miss: Bhakta’s decision comes after facing pushback on redevelopment plans and the staggering $1 million annual cost to maintain the aging campus. Poultney, a town of just 3,000 residents, is no stranger to the economic void left by the college’s closure, having lost its largest employer and $6 million in annual payroll. Now, local businesses are scrambling to revive the town’s outdoor economy, but will it be enough? Experts warn that Green Mountain College is just one of dozens of New England colleges poised to close within a decade as enrollment declines. What does this mean for small towns like Poultney, and who should decide the future of these abandoned campuses? Bhakta’s pivot to a faith-based donation has already sparked interest from 30 organizations, but the question remains: Can this move truly revive both the campus and the community? Or is it just another chapter in a long saga of uncertainty? Let’s discuss—what do you think the future of this campus should be? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
