The Space On Main is pleased to announce it has received a $3,000 donation from Wells River Savings Bank to be paid in $1,000 payments over the next three years. This donation will be used for buildout and construction of The Space On Main’s future home which serves to ensure prosperity of Bradford and the greater Cohase Region of Vermont and New Hampshire.

The Space On Main is currently working to complete the rehabilitation and conversion of a much-loved historic building on Main Street in Bradford, Vermont that once held a “five and dime” store into a modern multipurpose community facility providing rooms of varying sizes and purposes designed to host coworking (office sharing), community networking events, hands-on Maker projects, conferences, meetings, training programs, social events, as well as educational classes for all demographics. Monique Priestley, President & Founder of The Space On Main said: “I started my research for what would soon be known as The Space by visiting with community members in local coffee shops, restaurants, workshops, and at their dining tables. People move here to get away from the city, for work, for a spouse’s work, or to help family. They are nervous about living here. They are struggling with slow internet speeds, a lack of networking opportunities, and a feeling of being disconnected. The Space will address these needs, fill our Main Street gap, and weave a network of partnerships throughout the region. The opening of The Space will not be possible without the support of amazing organizations such as Wells River Savings Bank.”

Frank Tilghman, CEO of Wells River Savings Bank wrote: “We are very impressed with the idea of Space on Main, Inc. It is the perfect approach to the revitalization of our villages. Hopefully, we can inspire our other villages to offer the same facilities and vision. Our area needs an economic jolt, and Space on Main will deliver. We are proud to pledge $3,000, with $1,000 for this year, and $1,000 each for the next two years. Again, we applaud your efforts at community development.”

About The Space On Main (thespaceonmain.org)
The Space On Main is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies upon the generous support of individuals, philanthropic organizations, and businesses such as Wells River Savings Bank to provide their services. It is the mission of The Space on Main to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, the arts, education, health, and recreation in order to increase opportunity for personal and collective growth in the Cohase Region of Vermont and New Hampshire by providing a creative facility with access to affordable equipment, work spaces, and classes. It is The Space On Main’s goal to ensure prosperity of our community by leveraging talent in the region by creating pathways to outside individuals, services, and technologies.

About Wells River Savings Bank (wellsriversavings.com)
In 1988, Wells River Savings Bank opened its first branch office, in Bradford. It continued south, with a new office in Fairlee in 1999, Newbury in 2006, and East Thetford in 2008. It is proud of its mutual bank heritage. It is owned by its depositors, so its profits stay here to help build its communities. Its mission remains consistent with the vision of its founders in 1833 and 1892, to make its communities better places to live, work, and raise families.

For more information, please contact The Space On Main at (802) 449-MAIN (6246) or on the web at thespaceonmain.org.

The Space On Main is pleased to announce it has received a $1,000 grant from The Hypertherm HOPE Foundation. This grant will be used for buildout and construction of The Space On Main’s future home which serves to ensure prosperity of Bradford and the greater Upper Valley.

The Space On Main is currently working to complete the rehabilitation and conversion of a much-loved historic building on Main Street in Bradford, Vermont that once held a “five and dime” store into a modern multipurpose community facility providing rooms of varying sizes and purposes designed to host coworking (office sharing), community networking events, hands-on Maker projects, conferences, meetings, training programs, social events, as well as educational classes for all demographics. Monique Priestley, President & Founder of The Space On Main said: “I started my research for what would soon be known as The Space by visiting with community members in local coffee shops, restaurants, workshops, and at their dining tables. People move here to get away from the city, for work, for a spouse’s work, or to help family. They are nervous about living here. They are struggling with slow internet speeds, a lack of networking opportunities, and a feeling of being disconnected. The Space will address these needs, fill our Main Street gap, and weave a network of partnerships throughout the region. The opening of The Space will not be possible without the support of amazing organizations such as The Hypertherm HOPE Foundation.”

About The Space On Main (thespaceonmain.org)
The Space On Main is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies upon the generous support of individuals, philanthropic organizations, and businesses such as The Hypertherm HOPE Foundation to provide their services. It is the mission of The Space on Main to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, the arts, education, health, and recreation in order to increase opportunity for personal and collective growth in the Cohase Region of Vermont and New Hampshire by providing a creative facility with access to affordable equipment, work spaces, and classes. It is The Space On Main’s goal to ensure prosperity of our community by leveraging talent in the region by creating pathways to outside individuals, services, and technologies.

About The Hypertherm HOPE Foundation (hypertherm.com)
The Hypertherm Owners’ Philanthropic Endeavors (HOPE) Foundation was founded in 2010 as a public grant-making non-profit 501(c) 3 foundation to formalize the U.S.-based financial giving they had been doing for decades across a handful of focus areas. A dozen volunteer Hypertherm Associates, representing a cross-section of areas within their company, comprise the HOPE Team and make all grant allocation decisions on behalf of the Foundation. They have similar shared decision-making HOPE teams in all their regional offices, each serving their respective communities. The HOPE Teams have awarded millions of dollars in grant support to hundreds of nonprofit organizations working on their shared mission of creating sustainable, positive change in the community and environment.

For more information, please contact The Space On Main at (802) 449-MAIN (6246) or on the web at thespaceonmain.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erin Odell, Odell Insurance Agency, 802.222.4755 or eodell@odellinsurance.com

Odell Insurance Agency and Co-operative Insurance Companies award this community grant to The Space On Main to help cover the costs of converting a much loved space on Main Street in Bradford, Vermont that once held a “five and dime” store into a modern multipurpose community facility providing rooms of varying sizes and purposes designed to host coworking (office sharing), community networking events, hands-on Maker projects, conferences, meetings, training programs, social events, as well as educational classes for all demographics.

The Space On Main received a $500 gift from Odell Insurance Agency and is matched by Co-operative Insurance Companies.

The gift, awarded as part of Co-op’s Community Grants program, will be used to help cover the costs of outfitting the roughly 7,000 square foot space. “We think Monique Priestley does great work for our Cohase Region,” said Erin Odell of Odell Insurance agency. “We’re proud to support her efforts.”

“People move here for quality of life but often feel they need to make career sacrifices to do so. They feel disconnected, with a lack of community networking opportunities. The Space is designed to address these needs, fill our Main Street gap, and weave a network of partnerships throughout the region,” said Monique, President and Founder of The Space On Main. “This is why this gift is important to us.”

Co-operative Insurance Companies’ Community Grants Program was established in 2004 to assist with community projects across Vermont and New Hampshire. Through this program, Co-op partners with its agents and directors to provide funds for capital campaigns and operational support throughout the two states.

“Groups like The Space On Main are meeting needs in the same communities that Co-op serves,” said Brad Fortier, Co-op’s Executive Vice President. “We think it’s important to do our part as neighbors to help them out, and this grant program is one more way we can do that.”

The Space on Main was one of 11 to receive a Community Grant from Co-operative Insurance Companies in 2018.

Founded in 2017, it is the mission of The Space on Main to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, the arts, education, health, and recreation in order to increase opportunity for personal and collective growth in the Cohase Region of Vermont and New Hampshire by providing a creative facility with access to affordable equipment, work spaces, and classes. Its goal is to ensure prosperity of our community by leveraging talent in the region by creating pathways to outside individuals, services, and technologies.

Co-operative Insurance Companies has been meeting property and casualty insurance needs since 1915, offering farm, home, auto, business, and other insurance to people in Vermont and New Hampshire. It is owned by its members and committed to protecting them with fast and fair claims service, loss prevention expertise, and local operations. The company has headquarters in Middlebury, Vermont, with regional claims offices and more than 100 agency locations across Vermont and New Hampshire.

Odell Insurance Agency has been serving the Cohase Region of VT and NH since 1977 by providing personal, farm and small business insurance with a hometown approach. They foster strong client relationships through one on one communication to understand each client’s risk, help determine their insurance needs and offer affordable insurance solutions.

The Space On Main is pleased to announce it has received a $25,000 challenge grant from the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation. The opening of The Space On Main will not be possible without the support of amazing organizations and individuals such as Dorothy Byrne and The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation.

The Space On Main is currently working to complete the rehabilitation and conversion of a much-loved historic building on Main Street in Bradford, Vermont that once held a “five and dime” store into a modern multipurpose community facility providing rooms of varying sizes and purposes designed to host coworking (office sharing), community networking events, hands-on Maker projects, conferences, meetings, training programs, social events, as well as educational classes for all demographics. Monique Priestley, President & Founder of The Space On Main said: “I started my research for what would soon be known as The Space by visiting with community members in local coffee shops, restaurants, workshops, and at their dining tables. People move here to get away from the city, for work, for a spouse’s work, or to help family. They are nervous about living here. They are struggling with slow internet speeds, a lack of networking opportunities, and a feeling of being disconnected. The Space will address these needs, fill our Main Street gap, and weave a network of partnerships throughout the region. The opening of The Space would not have been possible without Dorothy Byrne’s incredible support.”

With a check for $5,000, Dorothy Byrne, President of the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation, wrote: “I am pleased to offer a modest contribution at this time and will offer a matching pledge of twenty thousand dollars, payable whenever you secure the funds. I can appreciate the need for such a facility. This is a need that exists in many New England towns. Congratulations on your efforts. I hope the community responds.” And the community responded in incredible ways.

About The Space On Main (thespaceonmain.org)
The Space On Main is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies upon the generous support of individuals, philanthropic organizations, and businesses such as Vermont Community Foundation to provide their services. It is the mission of The Space on Main to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, the arts, education, health, and recreation in order to increase opportunity for personal and collective growth in the Cohase Region of Vermont and New Hampshire by providing a creative facility with access to affordable equipment, work spaces, and classes. It is The Space On Main’s goal to ensure prosperity of our community by leveraging talent in the region by creating pathways to outside individuals, services, and technologies.

For more information, please contact The Space On Main at (802) 449-MAIN (6246) or on the web at thespaceonmain.org.