Norridgewock board green-lights $35,000 study as Main Grains, New Balance push to repurpose 20 Depot Street

The Norridgewock Select Board on Monday authorized up to $35,000 from town funds to match private partners for an as-built survey, 3D modeling and a phase I environmental assessment of 20 Depot Street, the largely vacant former New Balance manufacturing facility.

The study is part of a proposed three-way cost-share with Main Grains and New Balance that town staff said would make the site viable for grant applications and private investment. Amber, a Main Grains representative, told the board the company would use roughly one-third of the roughly 170,000-square-foot building and expects to add 15 jobs immediately; she said the firm has already purchased a $1.4 million extruder line and another $500,000 in equipment awaiting installation. Amy, vice president of public relations and government affairs for New Balance, said the company would remain a funding partner and help secure grants for broader redevelopment.

Why it matters: Town ownership of the parcel is a stated condition in at least one large federal funding application staff described as worth up to $8 million. Town staff and the board said accepting a donation would allow Main Grains to qualify for funds and move the project forward. At the same time, ownership would expose the town to carrying costs: staff estimated annual maintenance and utilities in the ballpark of $200,000–$225,000. New Balance offered to guarantee those carrying costs for 24 months to reduce immediate risk to taxpayers.

What the board approved: The motion authorized up to $35,000 in town TIP funds as a dollar-for-dollar match toward consultant work to document the building and investigate environmental conditions; the board voted unanimously to approve the funding and to share project data among partners. The town administrator said Haley Ward (engineering/architecture firm) would be the consultant to perform the scope, estimated at $90,000–$100,000 total, to be split among New Balance, Main Grains and the town.

Public reaction and next steps: Resident Brad Fair urged careful legal and fiscal due diligence to protect taxpayers, noting the town could be left holding 'two-thirds' of a large building if private plans stall. The board also voted to place a single question on a special secret-ballot referendum for July 20: whether the town will accept the donation of real property at 20 Depot Street. Town staff set a public hearing on the matter for July 1 at 6 p.m. and said drone mapping and other documentation should be complete roughly one month from the meeting date, ahead of the vote.

The board recorded the funding authorization and the warrant actions; the study authorization passed during the meeting and the special town meeting order was signed. The project remains contingent on study outcomes, final donor terms and voter approval at the July 20 referendum.