Building Renovation Project

A vibrant Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship will ensure that we have a powerful hub that supports a culture of successful small business in this region.

Hannah Grimes is an innovative, cost-effective organization with a proven model that helps businesses start and grow. In 2009, we saw a growth of over 800% in our program participation and fielded 2-3 requests per month for our incubating office space, which has been at full capacity since 2006. As a result of this growth, in 2011 we plan to renovate the lower floor of a building we own at 25 Roxbury Street
in Keene to:

• Increase our offices from 8-18,
• Increase our conference room space for our popular
• programs,
• Increase our organizational sustainability — this project increases earned income from the building by 50%.

According to a study by the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration in September 2008, business incubators deliver 20 times more jobs for the dollars spent than any other types of public works infrastructure project. And these are jobs that give back — the goal of Hannah Grimes is not just to produce jobs, but to build a private sector that is an active contributor to a vibrant community.

Entering our thirteenth year, Hannah Grimes continues to demonstrate an ability to manage an effective and innovative organization. Earned income has made up 83% of the $3.7 million it took to launch and sustain Hannah Grimes. This project will help us continue on that path even as we increase the services we provide.

With a “jobless and slow recovery” predicted, this is wise time for our community to invest in the growth engine of the economy — small business. The health and growth of the small business sector is crucial to a return to a thriving economy.

We invite you to join us in this vital work.

If you have questions or want to discuss further, please contact Mary Ann Kristiansen, Executive Director, at 603-352-5063 or mak@hannahgrimes.com