An entrepreneur is making headlines after announcing his decision to give away an entire college campus in Vermont, albeit with certain stipulations. Raj Bhakta, a former contestant on “The Apprentice,” acquired Green Mountain College in Poultney in 2020, after the institution closed due to ongoing issues with declining student enrolment. Having purchased the property for less than £5 million, Bhakta’s initial ambition was to rejuvenate the area with a hospitality and distillery complex, but these plans have since faltered amid local resistance.
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Situated at the end of Main Street in Poultney, a quaint town of around 3,000 residents close to the New York-Vermont border, the college spans 115 acres and boasts 16 buildings. Bhakta’s grand vision involved developing 93 hotel rooms, 18 condominiums, a micro-distillery, a restaurant, and a spa. However, nearly six years later, he has seen little progress aside from a small elementary school established by his wife.
Now, Bhakta has changed his approach, opting to give the entire campus away for free. However, there is a significant condition attached: he seeks individuals or groups who can align with his vision for “the revival of the United States, Western civilisation, and Christendom through faith-based education.” Additionally, any prospective beneficiary must have the financial capacity to cover the estimated annual maintenance costs of £1.5 million to uphold the current infrastructure and address long-standing maintenance issues.
In an interview, Bhakta candidly expressed the challenges of managing a college campus. “If you ever want to feel like you’re going nuts,” he remarked, “Buy a college campus in the middle of nowhere.” His disillusionment with the educational system also informs his motivations; he believes many American colleges instil what he describes as “communist and wokeist ideology” in their students. He hopes to instead create an environment focused on teaching the craft of producing high-quality spirits.
Bhakta’s tumultuous relationship with the local community has not been without strife. Following his acquisition of Green Mountain College at 77% below its appraised value of £16 million, he outlined ambitious plans to transform the property. However, the Vermont Land Use Review Board raised concerns regarding several aspects of the proposal, leading Bhakta to retract his application for development last September. He has publicly blamed Vermont’s stringent development regulations for stymying his efforts, stating, “Vermont’s red tape antidevelopment regime killed the project.”
Despite the setbacks, Bhakta’s unconventional strategy of giving away the college has garnered significant interest, with over 50 applications received in the first five weeks. He has since narrowed the candidate pool to ten potential caretakers. Nevertheless, Bhakta has yet to find a suitable match that meets his vision. Town planning commission member Jaime Lee voiced her scepticism, acknowledging the community’s hope in Bhakta but expressing concerns over whether any single entity could manage such a substantial campus effectively.
Gary Moore, another local resident, remarked on the unique opportunity that Bhakta’s proposal presents for the community, stating, “It’s a chance for the right person or group to make this place thrive again.” However, discussions among residents reveal a mix of optimism and caution as they weigh the future possibilities for the historic institution.
The fate of Green Mountain College remains uncertain. Raj Bhakta’s mission to find the ideal custodian reflects a broader conversation about educational institutions struggling to adapt to modern challenges and community expectations. As applicants continue to emerge, the viability of Bhakta’s vision—and the future of the college—hangs delicately in the balance.