Middlebury Economy Improving

Could Middlebury be bucking the economic downturn? It could, if the local option tax totals are any indication. The Addison County Independent reports that they were more than 165 thousand dollars during the second quarter of 2009. That means the town can afford its first debt obligation on the new Cross Street Bridge. The local option tax comes from the town's share of the one percent on sales, rooms and alcohol. The tax is supposed to raise more than 600 thousand dollars a year on the 16 million dollar Cross Street Bridge project. Middlebury College will also contribute to the bridge project to the tune of six hundred thousand dollars. The Cross Street Bridge extension will connect Main and Court Streets.