Hardwick, VT – The Hardwick Yellow Barn project, a landmark investment in the town’s agricultural economy, is set to celebrate a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 27, at 11:00 a.m. The event will take place at 323 Vermont Route 15 in Hardwick. Key speakers at the ceremony will include the three primary tenants of the facility and Anson Tebbetts, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the newly renovated facility.
The $9 million project features a comprehensive renovation of a historic gambrel-roofed barn at the entrance to downtown Hardwick, complemented by the construction of a new 25,000-square-foot steel structure. This expansion is expected to significantly bolster the town’s agricultural sector. The barn now houses Cabot Creamery’s retail store, which recently celebrated its grand opening. The new construction will accommodate the Center for an Agricultural Economy’s Food Hub and Jasper Hill Farm, which will consolidate its e-commerce operations in the new space. Collectively, the tenants are investing over $5 million of their own funds for additional fit-out work.
This celebration marks a significant achievement for the town and its partners. The initiative began in 2016, driven by a community recognition of the need for additional space to support expanding agricultural businesses. The project faced delays due to pandemic-related inflation and supply chain disruptions, which postponed the original 2020 construction start. The project team, including the tenants and the Northeast Kingdom Development Corporation (NEKDC), had to adapt the project’s vision in response to these challenges.
The revised vision emerged from the lessons learned during the pandemic. The Center for an Agricultural Economy recognized the need for improved distribution and aggregation space to strengthen the local food system, which had been exposed to weaknesses during the pandemic. “The new Food Hub at the Yellow Barn represents a profound investment in our local food system, reflecting the dedication of numerous partners and funders,” said a spokesperson from the Center. “We’re excited to put this new infrastructure to use and collaborate with local producers.”
Jasper Hill Farm also adapted its plans based on its experience during the pandemic. Andy Kehler, Founder and CFO at Jasper Hill, praised the collective effort involved in bringing the project to fruition. “The completion of this project showcases the dedication of an exceptional leadership team,” Kehler remarked. “This new facility will enable Jasper Hill to centralize our inventory and order fulfillment operations.”
Mateo Kehler, Founder and Head Cheesemaker at Jasper Hill, emphasized the project’s impact on local dairy farmers. “The new space will help us grow and strengthen our operations, benefiting the local dairy farmers who supply us with milk and cheese,” he said.
The construction bids for the “Yellow Barn 2.0” were issued in November 2022 and awarded to Burlington-based Wright & Morrissey in January 2023, with a base contract of $8.3 million. The project received New Market Tax Credit financing secured by the NEKDC, allowing construction to commence in July 2023. The project is now nearing completion ahead of schedule, thanks to effective teamwork and project management, according to Minty Conant, President of the NEKDC.
The Yellow Barn project exemplifies successful public-private partnership and is supported by a diverse array of funding sources, including federal, state, and local grants and loans. Partners include the Economic Development Administration, Northern Border Regional Commission, Vermont Community Development Program, Vermont Community Recovery and Revitalization Program, the Vermont Brownfield Revitalization Fund, Preservation Trust of Vermont, the US Small Business Administration, and various regional development agencies. New Markets Tax Credit financing totaling $11.4 million was also secured, with Vermont Economic Development Authority providing long-term financing.
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