The state of Vermont is going to help stabilize the fire-damaged Ellis Block in Springfield.
The $165,000 will go the Town of Springfield to be used on the building, which was severely damaged in a July 8 fire.
The money, from $8 million in federal community development block grants that the state gets annually, will pay for removal of damaged building contents, demolition of roofing and structural preparation and reconstruction.
Kevin Dorn, the state’s Commerce and Community Development secretary, says the Ellis Block is important, both commercially and from a housing standpoint.
The block is home to the Springfield Theater, which hosted the 2007 premier of the movie "The Simpsons."