FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2020
Contact: Kristie Farnham, Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Kristie.Farnham@vermont.gov
Hardwick, VT - The State of Vermont’s Brownfield Initiative has awarded the Town of Hardwick over $36,000 for remediation of the future site of the Yellow Barn Business Accelerator and Corporate Campus.
Vacant today, this property had a 30+ year history of operating as an automotive repair and body shop. The site characterization and initial environmental investigation was completed with technical assistance and funding from Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission and Northern Vermont Development Association. Once remediated, the commercial redevelopment will be home to the Yellow Barn Business Accelerator, an $8.6 million project that is expected to create approximately 50 jobs. This brownfield funding will support soil remediation in tandem with the redevelopment construction. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s Revolving Loan Fund was capitalized, in part, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“The Town of Hardwick appreciates receiving this Brownfields Cleanup grant. This investment is supporting a transformation project for Hardwick and the surrounding area. This grant support is an important factor in keeping the project budget and implementation schedule on target,” said Shaun Fielder, Hardwick Town Manager.
“We are pleased to be part of this public-private endeavor and eagerly anticipate the reuse of this iconic site,” said Kristie Farnham, Director of Business Support and Brownfield Program Manager.
“VT DEC is happy to support a project that brings an underutilized property back into a use that will be a significant benefit to the surrounding communities,” said Sarah Bartlett, Environmental Analyst at Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
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About Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
The ACCD’s mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. The ACCD is comprised of four Departments: The Department of Economic Development (DED), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Department of Administration, and the Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM). The Agency reports annually to the Legislature on activities and outcomes. For more information on the Vermont ACCD, visit http://accd.vermont.gov/.
About the Brownfields Initiative
ACCD’s brownfields program is funded, in part, through a grant from the EPA Brownfields Program. For more information on redevelopment of a brownfields site, please visit https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/brownfields-initiative
About VTDEC Brownfields Program
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) encourages brownfield reuse projects as a means of accomplishing positive environmental and human health impacts while advancing sound land-use practices. Reuse of historically productive properties supports sustainable development trends and promotes community and economic growth. The VTDEC Brownfields Program works to provide developers with tools to assist with the redevelopment of brownfields in a safe, timely, and cost-effective manner, focusing on three areas: limitation of environmental liability; technical assistance related to environmental contaminant issues; and financial assistance. Our Brownfields Handbook describes how to navigate a variety of brownfields redevelopment projects.
Shelley Pembroke
802.585.8225