Two economic development projects in Bristol and in Gilman that aim to build out spaces for new businesses to grow will get a federal funding boost.
A $500,000 grant will go toward building infrastructure for the new Stoney Hill manufacturing park project in Bristol. The industrial zone is being developed by Kevin Harper and David Blittersdorf.
In Gilman, a $390,130 grant to the Northeast Kingdom Development Corporation will support electrical infrastructure at the now-closed Gilman Paper Mill. The development corporation hopes to attract new businesses to the mill.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., announced the two grants last week. The senator, who is vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured the funds as a partnership between the Northern Border Regional Commission and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
In Bristol, the money will be used to offset infrastructure costs — like roadways, communications and storm water systems — at the Stoney Hill commercial park project, according to Town Administrator Valerie Capels.
Capels said the funds will defray the high costs associated with construction of the park.
“In order for Bristol to be competitive, we need to provide a commercial space,” she said.
Previously, Bristol had been home to some of Vermont’s more recognizable companies, like Bee’s Wrap and Vermont Coffee Company, but due to a lack of commercial and manufacturing space in town, the two businesses have since relocated to nearby Middlebury.
Capels said Bee’s Wrap “left reluctantly,” and she hopes the company will return.
“We’re very excited and waited a long time to move this forward,” Capels said. “The ribbon-cutting for this new facility will be a long-awaited celebration.”
While Bristol has received support from other grants and programs, Capels said this is the first time money has been given to the town through the NBRC/EDA partnership.
The developers still need to complete the permitting process, but Capels hopes that “will get done pretty quickly.”
In Gilman, at the site of the now closed Gilman Paper Mill, the funds will be used to improve electrical infrastructure and power distribution. The hope is that, with the new infrastructure, the space can host businesses that can bring jobs to the region along the New Hampshire border.
Director of Economic Development at NEK Development Corporation Andrea Brochu said on Friday there are no companies officially signed to come into the space.
“With what we have achieved in the grant is about 50% short of project funding to complete the project,” Brochu said, who hopes to break ground next spring. She expects the project to be completed in a year. Any company that signs up to use the space will need to retrofit the mill to their needs, which is not part of the electrical project.
However, NEK Development Corporation President Richard Isabelle noted in a statement, the grant-funded work “significantly lowers the barrier to entry” for businesses considering the property.
WCAX reported in July 2018 that Tabitha Bowling was trying to establish and wood pellet mill in the old building. Those plans fell through, however. Bowling told the Caledonian-Record the cost for upgraded electrical connectivity was too expensive.
Created as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, the Northern Border Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership designed to stimulate private-sector economic and job growth in the northern counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. The commission has funded 74 projects in Vermont since its creation.
“This partnership between the NBRC and EDA leverages national and regional expertise to bring federal funds to bear for local Vermont communities,” Leahy said.
