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The Town of Hardwick
The Town of Hardwick is located in the western section of Caledonia County, Vermont; a community know for the spirit of its people. The Lamoille river runs east to west through the Town, and Vermont Route 14 follows the course of the river.
Hardwick is an old township, founded in 1781 while Vermont was an independent republic and the fledgling United States was still at war with Great Britain. It has some ties to the American Revolution; during the war General Washington ordered that a road be built through north central Vermont in anticipation of an American invasion of Canada. This "Bayley Hazen Military Road" ran through Hardwick, and although it was never used as an invasion route, it did help to open up Vermont to settlement after the war.
It was not long before two settlements began to develop within the township; one, originally called South Hardwick became Hardwick Village, while a smaller hub came to be called East Hardwick. For almost a hundred years the Village had its own government separate from the Town, but in 1988 the town merged for efficiency reasons. Today the Town is administered by a professional manager and governed by a five member Select Board.
Though out its history Hardwick has functioned as the commercial center for the surrounding area. Since the late 19th Century it has also served as an industrial center and once had the distinction of being known as the "Granite Capital of the World." Today the Town of Hardwick still has one active quarry. It also has several other light manufacturing operations.
The Town of Hardwick retains the best characteristics of a small community - knowing one's neighbors, a sense of security, a feeling of having roots - while having an infrastructure and labor force to provide for your business.
Hardwick Industrial Park
In 1981 the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) purchased a thirty-four acre parcel of land located in Hardwick near the intersections of routes 15 and 14N. It was acquired specifically for industrial and commercial development. To date (1999) there are four buildings - all of which are occupied with another six to seven acres immediately available for development.
The industrial park offers a number of advantages to prospective occupants. First, lot sizes are flexible and can be configured to meet the buyer's needs; from a half acre parcel to one of six acres. Secondly, the lot prices are extremely competitive. NVDA and the Town of Hardwick researched comparable sites across northern Vermont and priced the Hardwick lots with competitive prices in mind.
Finally, the park has a utility infrastructure in place. It is fully permitted under Vermont's Act 250 Rules. The park is served by the public water system, and there is three phase power at the site. The Town has a well maintained lagoon type sewage treatment plant with surplus capacity.
If you are interested in the industrial park contact N.V.D.A. at 1-800-639-5011 or by writing N.V.D.A., P.O. Box 630 44 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.
Hardwick Facts
Population: 1990 = 2,964
Area: 39 Square Miles
Government: Council/Manager Form of Government
FY'00 Tax Rate:
$2.4916 per $100.00 of assessed value
No equipment tax
No inventory tax
No local income tax
FY'00 Water Rate:
$160.00 per equivalent domestic unit
(200 gallons of metered flow per day)
FY'00 Sewer Rate:
$244.00 per equivalent domestic unit
(200 gallons of metered flow per day)
Electricity Rates:
Municipally owned electric system competitive
rates.
Economic Development:
The Town of Hardwick has an active Economic Development Committee that is dedicated to promoting Hardwick. The Committee is centered in the Town Manager's Office and has data available for businesses located in the greater Hardwick area, and commercial space (square footage/costs) within the Town for lease and for sale. The Town also has a Revolving Loan Fund to assist in economic development and job creation in the Town of Hardwick. This money is loaned at 1% less than the Bank of Boston Prime to any for-profit or non-profit corporation, partnership, cooperative, or proprietorship.
Transportation:
State Route 14, 15 and 16 pass through Hardwick connecting the community to Interstate 89 and 91. Air Service is provided by Burlington Interstate Airport, Stowe Airport, and Berlin Airport.
Wages:
Average wages in the Hardwick area for the most recent year in which numbers are available, 1996, were $18,050. Average hourly wage was approximately $5.75.
Housing:
The average price of a house
in 1997 was approximately $55,000. Average rent for a two bedroom
apartment was in the $375 to $500 range. In 1997, the most recent
year in which statistics are available, Hardwick had a rental vacancy of
16%.