By the end of March 2020, The Space On Main (The Space) was expected to reach 10,000 visitors within the first 18 months of being open. By February, The Space had been visited by an average of 536 people per month and over 8,840 people total. Due to Covid-19, The Space was forced to close its doors March through June. It reopened to individual use in June. With 100% loss of income March through June, and 66% loss of income from June until present day, The Space’s future has been uncertain. Because The Space is 100% volunteer run, we have not qualified for State or Federal CARES opportunities. Thanks to generous support from community members in Bradford and beyond, The Space On Main has continued operating and plans to do so as long as possible.

Despite Covid-19 interfering with activities, The Space On Main has continued to provide opportunities to Bradford and area residents in 2020 including:

• REACT UV Business Accelerator & 10-Week Business Planning Course with the Center for Women & Enterprise led 23 entrepreneurs from business idea to business plan completion;
• Entrepreneur Stories panel series interviewed 30 local small business owners;
• Citizens’ Academy interviewed over 50 local leaders in a forum setting for people to learn how to engage in local leadership opportunities;
• Monthly leadership workshops hosted by Doug Teschner of Growing Leadership, LLC, including how to lead during times of crisis;
• Code for UV (a Code for America Brigade) has been working diligently on developing technical solutions to local problems including a directory application mapping out local food resources for Little Rivers Health Care and an application to assist with mapping out broadband usage for justifying local need.

The Space On Main provided leadership for Bradford and the surrounding area during Covid-19 in countless ways. Some examples of leadership included: hosting webinars to help people learn remote collaboration tools such as Slack & Zoom; co-hosting a webinar with the University of Washington to teach librarians how to move offerings online; hosting several “just for fun” events to let people connect and play together; hosting a series of literary-focused events highlighting local storytellers, musicians, actors, etc.; supporting Catamount Film & Arts and SOCAPA School of Creative & Performing Arts on their 72 Hour Youth Film Festival via Zoom & YouTube; hosting a volunteer training webinar for Willing Hands & Little Rivers Health Care; providing pro Zoom access to community groups for online meetings such as Bradford Planning Commission, Cohase Chamber of Commerce, Newbury REDI, and Bradford Business Association; providing pro Zoom access and facilitation of community school board outreach events, political candidate forums, and special town meetings; opening a Free Community WiFi network up for people who needed access for work/school, and hosting Free AARP Tax Assistance twice per week.

The Space On Main represented Bradford in meetings with Upper Valley Strong; coordinated regional community organizer calls with Fairlee, West Fairlee, Newbury, Groton, Chelsea, Corinth, Topsham, Ryegate, and Vershire; participated on economic recovery calls with Vital Communities; served on a state-wide advisory team with the Vermont Council on Rural Development to help towns navigate recovery efforts; and attended and led sessions with Town Hall Project & AARP Connected Communities to help with tech tool training to support Mutual Aid efforts across the United States.

As we enter 2021, we continue to support remote workers and local economic/community development efforts. We are busy applying for grants in order to complete our makerspace and to bring full-time business acceleration and incubation services to Bradford. We are continuing to develop our partner network in order to bring additional regional, state, and federal resources to Main Street. If you would like to become a member or get involved, please do not hesitate to reach out to thespaceonmain@gmail.com. To learn more, visit  thespaceonmain.org.

Executive Director & Founder, Monique Priestley, had the honor and privilege of speaking at this year’s 2nd Annual Vermont Leadership Summit (at 38:50 in video below), put on by the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Transcript of Monique’s contribution to the opening “spark stories” here:

This weekend I volunteered as a mentor for this incredible cultural entrepreneurship program that spends a week at Galusha Hill Farm in Topsham. It is hands down the most impressive program that I have ever seen in action. One of the most surprising aspects is that among amazing individuals that are transforming their cities and towns, they all have some degree of imposter syndrome.

I feel imposter syndrome deeply every day. I am someone who will show up, dive into the work, ask questions, and figure things out along the way. In many ways, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I love the challenge of figuring it out – especially when it impacts others. I feel failure when I don’t anticipate every little thing… some may just call that learning. I am a learner that goes all in.

In late 2016, our Main Street was suffering. One of our key businesses, a department store, had gone out of business. Across the street, a global oil company bought out a family business that spanned the block and said they’d keep everything the same – and then left town as soon as the papers were signed. I was on 15 or so boards at the time and every single meeting was discussing what we were going to do. My remote full-time job was in Seattle and I was starting to view it as an escape route.

I went to one of our Business Association socials. The depression was palpable. Previously, I had told a few close friends of an idea I had to create a multipurpose space. Most people smiled, but blew it off. I myself considered it a retirement goal. A mentor of mine came up to me at the gathering and said, “I think it’s time to share your idea.” There was instant buzz, more drinks were ordered, and we sat around talking excitedly.

I went straight to my friend Sam’s house. I didn’t have any money and didn’t have any idea how to pull this off. He said, “You just helped me start a nonprofit – you know that’s a possibility.” I decided I would see if there was any interest in a shared space, what people might pay, and what they might use it for. I left Sam’s, sent out a survey, and Googled “How to Start a Nonprofit”. In 48 hours, I received 85 responses of people who had a critical need for what I was suggesting. I met with each of them one-by-one which led to further coffee dates and dinner with their friends and family. By the time we opened our doors, I had talked to 300 or so people and based everything from furniture to floor plans on those conversations.

I spent the first half of last year raising $100,000 in startup funds. I received a lot of help and had an amazing board to advise me. I had people reviewing documents, listening to my pitch, making email introductions, donating money, giving advice. People like Paul Costello and Ted Brady opened doors and knocked down walls that I had been banging my head against for months. Vermont Community Foundation, Jack & Dorothy Byrne, building owners Vin and Angela Wendell, and many others made investments that made everything possible. I realized very quickly that every effort I had ever volunteered for, every networking dinner I had ever gone to, and everyone in my circle had opened up an entire world in the State of Vermont that I hadn’t dreamt was there. And more than anything, it made me feel incredibly proud to be a Vermonter – to live among strong people who can really pull together.

We opened in mid October as a community-based coworking, maker, conference, event, and gallery space. Our year-end goals were to have 25 monthly members and to serve 1000 people. In 10 months we are at 33 members and have served 5000 people. We have hosted coworkers, kids yoga, Renaissance workshops, business programming, meetups, a senate hearing, youth social justice dinners, and any number of other things.

The Space has taken directions I never would have expected. It has transformed lives. The coolest thing about The Space is that I get people from town as well as all over VT, NH, and MA visiting, calling, and emailing, figuring out how they can create a similar space, open a small business, or pursue any number of random life goals. They saw energy and it awakened something in them.

Every one of our small towns needs that energy. They need someone taking charge and changing the status quo. Current leadership needs to mentor, listen to new ideas, and when the time comes, nudge people to step up. We need to invest in creativity, collaboration, and an atmosphere the encourages someone to take a chance. There are so many efforts that happen behind the scenes in small towns and if that energy and spirit dies, the Vermont we know will cease to exist. There is power in community, in small town grit, and in good old New Englander ingenuity. We have so much potential to do amazing things.

Every single person in this room is a part of that. I know it doesn’t always feel that way. It sometimes gets lonely to care. To show up. But hang in there, even in those moments where you feel like you don’t know what the hell you’re doing. At some critical moment, all the dots will connect and all of your work will make sense. Your potential for impact is very real.

Lawmakers explore potential of co-working spaces for rural development: Senate committee hears testimony on bolstering rural growth around shared work spaces Full article and video reported by Ross Ketschke on MyNBC5 6:25 PM EST Feb 19, 2019: https://www.mynbc5.com/article/lawmakers-explore-potential-of-co-working-spaces-for-rural-development/26416856

BRADFORD, Vt. — Vermont lawmakers are exploring the potential for using co-work spaces as spark plugs for economic development in rural communities.

The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs hosted a hearing with co-work and makers space leaders from around the state in Bradford on Tuesday.

Senators heard testimony from local business leaders, entrepreneurs and directors of communal work spaces on their potential economic impact and ways the state could support growth they can potentially kick-start.

“It’s a place for people who are just moving to towns to know they have a community they can step into,” said Monique Priestley, founder of Bradford’s The Space on Main where the hearing was hosted.

Priestley’s co-working space opened its doors last fall and allows artists and entrepreneurs to rent out work space by the day or month.

The Space on Main, like other co-working or makers spaces, offers an array of tools for startups and artists including internet access and, in some cases, manufacturing equipment for designing product prototypes.

Priestley said the environment of co-working facilities is highly attractive to new business ventures looking to operate in collaborative spaces with other entrepreneurs.

“People see each other and overhear conversations and that’s sparking ideas or ways for them to collaborate with other people,” she said.

Director of the Center on Rural Innovation Matt Dunne said adapting the co-working space models for rural communities in Vermont would need some tweaking from their for-profit focused templates in startup hubs like Boston.

“It takes grassroots activities, frequently in a non-profit model but not necessarily. And it certainly takes support from the community and the state to make sure they succeed,” he said.

Dunne pointed to the lack of access to high-speed fiber optic internet access as an area the state could support and invest in to help attract new businesses to co-working spaces in Vermont.

The Center on Rural Innovation’s pilot campus in Springfield has taken advantage of the town’s unique access to high-speed fiber-optic connection.

However, not all communities have the infrastructure to support fiber connection, and Priestley said it is rarely affordable in places it is available.

She said her second largest expense behind monthly rent is paying for broadband.

“Broadband is the electricity of our time,” Dunne said.

Co-chair of the committee, Sen. Alison Clarkson (D) echoed their call for improved internet access in rural communities.

“We need to have the best high-speed in every downtown,” she said. “We also need it to every premise; to every home, to every business.”

Others who testified emphasized the need to support affordable-housing initiatives that bolster the communities surrounding co-working spaces.

Legislatures in Montpelier are reviewing multiple housing proposals this session, including a multi-million dollar housing revenue bond and housing rehabilitation incentive program.

WEBVTT MODEL FOR SUCCESS. . MATT DUNNE, DIRECTOR OF CENTER OF RURAL INNOVATION “WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT IT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE IN A PLACE WHERE NEW BUSINESSES CAN START BECAUSE ENTRAPANUERS OF TODAY ARE THE EMPLOYERS OF TOMORROW.” BUSINESS LEADERS FROM ACROSS VERMONT – MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS TO DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL OF CO-WORKING SPACES TO ACT AS A SPARK PLUG FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT. MONIQUE PRIESTLEY, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF SPACE ON MAIN “IT’S A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST MOVING INTO TOWNS TO KNOW THEY HAVE A COMMUNITY TO STEP INTO.” MONIQUE PRIESTLEY IS THE FOUNER OF THE SPACE ON MAIN… ONE OF DOZENS OF COMMUNAL WORK FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT SHE SAYS HELPS FOSTER ENTRIPINUERHSI P BY BRINGING NEW BUSINESS VENTURES TOGETHER UNDER THE SAME ROOF. MONIQUE PRIESTLEY, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF SPACE ON MAIN “PEOPLE SEE EADCHOTHER AND HEARING COVERSATIONS AND THAT’S SPARKING IDEAS OR WAYS FOR THEM TO ENGAGE WITH OTHER PEOPLE. THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING AND GENRAL AFFARS HEARD TESTAMONY ON THE COLLABORATIVE SPACES HAVE BEEN POPULAR IN START-UP HUBS LIKE BOSTON AND NEW YORK… AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER OF RURAL INNOVATION MATT DUNNE OF RURAL INNOVATION MATT DUNNE SAYS USING THEM TO JUMP START DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS IN VERMONT WILL TAKE A UNIQUE TOUCH. MATT DUNNE, DIRECTOR OF CENTER OF RURAL INNOVATION “IT TAKES GRASS- ROOTS ACTIVITIES, FREQUENTLY IN A NON-PROFIT MODEL BUT NOT ALWAYS NESSICARILY, AND SUPPORT FROM THE STATE AND THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THEY SUCCEED.” ONE KEY AREA HE POINTS TO FOR STATE ASSISTANCE IS SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO EXPAND HIGH- SPEED INTERNET. MATT DUNNE, DIRECTOR OF CENTER OF RURAL INNOVATION “BROADBAND IS THE ELECTRICITY OF OUR TIME. IT IS A NESSICARY PART TO BE ABLE TO PARTISCIPATE IN ECONOMIES ALL OVER THE GLOBE.” SEN. ALISON CLARKSON WINDSOR, VICE CHAIR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMTN, HOUSING, GENERAL AFFAIRS “WE NEED TO HAVE THE BEST HIGH- SPEED IN EVERY DOWNTOWN AND WE ALSO NEED IT IN EVERY PREMISE, IN EVERY HOME IN EVERY BUSINESS.” OTHER WHO TESTIFIED URGED THE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT HOUSING INCENTIVES AND GRANT PROGRAMS TO HELP BOLSTER COMMUNITY GROWTH AROUND CO- WORKING SPACES. IN BRADFORD, ROSS KETSCHKE NBC 5 NEWS.