Raj Bhakta Drops 115 Acres In The Market For Zero Dollars

Photo: Bhakta Spirits

India-West News Desk

POULTNEY, VT – Raj Bhakta is looking to disinvest himself of 115 acres. For free. He wants to give away the former Green Mountain College campus here, that he bought in 2020 for $5 million to a steward who can align with his vision of reviving Western Civilization and the Christian faith.

The alcohol mogul who runs Bhakta Spirits, originally purchased the sprawling property at a time when the site was appraised at nearly $20 million. He is now specifically seeking a Catholic organization, such as a university, diocese, or religious order, that has the capability to use the land for the mission and formation of the Church.

Despite his initial investment and a series of grand plans to transform the Poultney landmark into a mix of hotels, luxury condos, and a micro distillery, the campus has remained largely stagnant.

A recent attempt to secure redevelopment permits for nearly 100 hotel rooms and a fitness center was abruptly withdrawn last autumn, leaving the historic Georgian architecture and its 20 buildings without a clear commercial future.

The decision to donate the land comes as the financial burden of the estate has become increasingly apparent. Documents from previous permit applications reveal that Bhakta has been spending as much as $2 million annually on general upkeep and operations.

Even for a new owner who might secure nonprofit and tax-exempt status, the costs of maintaining the grounds remain daunting. The request for proposals published this month warns prospective applicants that they should expect to spend at least $1 million per year on basic maintenance, though a more realistic budget of $1.5 million is suggested to properly address the significant amount of deferred maintenance required to keep the campus functional.