Before Tropical Storm Irene, an average of 1,300 state workers filled Waterbury’s sprawling office complex in the center of town, and patronized local businesses.
But the complex was wiped out by the flood, and the state work force has been dispersed across central and northwestern Vermont. Now, only 200 state workers are in Waterbury every day, and the prospects of when others will return are from certain.
VPR’s Mitch Wertlieb sat down recently with Waterbury municipal manager Bill Shepeluk and asked him what the ripple effect has been on downtown businesses.