The overall project’s cost is approximately 1.6 million dollars. We plan to raise roughly half of the total amount through grants – leaving us to raise the rest through this campaign (and putting our target to raise at $800,000).  Most grant funders anticipate a cash match – which means that we have to generate a significant portion of the funding for this project through this capital campaign in order to meet our goals for the building’s restoration. 

The Norwich Grange Hall was built in 1892 and the Upper Valley Grange has owned it since 1916. Not surprisingly, there are numerous code requirements that now have to be met based on the change of ownership. One of the largest cost drivers is the requirement to add a limited use elevator to provide ADA access to the upper floor, which will ensure that all area residents can access this important building and participate in the cultural life of our community. 

The Norwich Grange Hall will support a wide variety of users. There will be a few anchor users (such as the Norwich Community Nurse). Other users, such as the Norwich Public Library, will use the space more infrequently programming.

The space will also be used for a wide variety of community and private functions (such as memorial services). Our plan is to have a part-time administrator for the building to manage the various users and help us accomplish the goal of having this building be a hub for community connectivity. 

We have developed an operating budget based on similar projects in Vermont. Our closet analogue, the Brook Brook Community Center in Guildford, has shared their business model with us and we have looked at other non-profit funding models to develop our go-forward operating budget. 

Income streams to make the building’s operation and upkeep sustainable going forward will include partnership agreements with our anchor users as well as rental and user fees. 

We have received a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation to hire Yellow Brook Road Consulting to lead us in a planning retreat to create a business model in collaboration with Norwich nonprofits.

The project work will occur in phases. 

Phase 1 begins this fall and will restore the historic front porch. This work, based on a specific grant we have received, has to be completed by year’s end.

Phase 2 involves restoration of the Grange Hall (compliant with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for restoring historic buildings). We plan to launch this work in 2025.

Phase 3 is a construction of a modest addition on the rear of the building (on the same footprint as the current shed). This work will commence later in 2025 or early in 2026 depending on the availability of funds.

Yes! As part of the rehabilitation of the building, we plan to replace the oil boiler with heat pump(s). We also plan to work with Efficiency Vermont to address energy efficiency needs (balanced with protecting this historic building). 

One of the requirements of the transfer of the property to us is that the Upper Valley Grange retain access to this space for their use, which limited the scope of potential uses to a degree. We spent time with our architect and with the affordable housing subcommittee early on to see if the upstairs attic might be something that we can use for housing and based on the size of this space and the complexity of code compliance with mixed uses, it was determined that this would not work for this footprint. 

No! The town has previously secured an easement that prevents us from expanding our building beyond the current footprint (ensuring that the Fire Department’s use is unimpaired). We are in close dialogue with the chief and other members of the Fire Department to keep them informed of our plans and construction schedule to ensure there is no interference. 

Yes! We have met with our neighbors throughout this process, and they are thrilled that this building will be coming back to life.

Yes! The town has repeatedly given us letters of support for various grants, which has been immensely helpful. The town has also indicated that this space will be very helpful meeting space (particularly during any future renovations of Tracy Hall).

Yes. The Norwich Community Collaborative Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Gifts made to the capital campaign are tax exempt to the extent permitted under law. We suggest that you contact a financial advisor for any specific guidance on how to structure a gift if that is of concern. 

We are glad to accept all manners and forms of support for this important community project (including gifts spread over up to three years), but support in 2024/2025 would be most beneficial given our projected construction timeline.