Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
Success Story: Mass Timber Takes Off at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium
Inspiring Wonder to BENEFIT THE NATURAL WORLDInspiring Wonder to BENEFIT THE NATURAL WORLD
Since Naturalist Franklin Fairbanks opened the doors of the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, Since Naturalist Franklin Fairbanks opened the doors of the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury,
Vermont in 1891, it has been a popular place of learning and wonder for thousands of visitors. In Vermont in 1891, it has been a popular place of learning and wonder for thousands of visitors. In
1961, the Museum built the state’s first public planetarium, and in 2018 began a project that would 1961, the Museum built the state’s first public planetarium, and in 2018 began a project that would
once again create new ideas and widen educational avenues for the explorers wandering its aisles: once again create new ideas and widen educational avenues for the explorers wandering its aisles:
a 21st-century science annex built with Mass Timber (MT). Using glue-laminated timber beams and a 21st-century science annex built with Mass Timber (MT). Using glue-laminated timber beams and
cross-laminated panels instead of conventional steel and concrete, MT is a promising construction cross-laminated panels instead of conventional steel and concrete, MT is a promising construction
technology that could redefine the forest economy and reduce COtechnology that could redefine the forest economy and reduce CO
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emissions by up to 60 percent. emissions by up to 60 percent.
Building Capital Despite SUPPLY & COST DISRUPTIONSBuilding Capital Despite SUPPLY & COST DISRUPTIONS
The Museum approached Philanthropist Oscar Tang—who had taken refuge in St. Johnsbury as a The Museum approached Philanthropist Oscar Tang—who had taken refuge in St. Johnsbury as a
child after fleeing the violent Chinese Communist Revolution—and offered him a legacy namesake child after fleeing the violent Chinese Communist Revolution—and offered him a legacy namesake
that he accepted with an early investment. Rural Development (RD) and the Museum also have a that he accepted with an early investment. Rural Development (RD) and the Museum also have a
history, including a $47,000 Community Facilities (CF) grant in 2020 for an exhibit about eco-smart history, including a $47,000 Community Facilities (CF) grant in 2020 for an exhibit about eco-smart
MT tech. The partnership produced yet again with a $197,000 USDA MT tech. The partnership produced yet again with a $197,000 USDA Rural Business Development Rural Business Development
GrantGrant and $519,700 CF loan & grant package. But this time it wasn’t nearly enough: COVID sent and $519,700 CF loan & grant package. But this time it wasn’t nearly enough: COVID sent
costs soaring when the project was just getting underway, more than doubling its original budget.costs soaring when the project was just getting underway, more than doubling its original budget.
Creating a Lasting LEGACY OF COMMUNITY LEARNINGCreating a Lasting LEGACY OF COMMUNITY LEARNING
Though construction projects were stalling throughout the country, the Museum had friends in every Though construction projects were stalling throughout the country, the Museum had friends in every
nook of the funding universe and wasn’t about to give up. Community College of Vermont (CCV) is nook of the funding universe and wasn’t about to give up. Community College of Vermont (CCV) is
among them, and bought in for more office space within the Annex. Partnerships were lining up but among them, and bought in for more office space within the Annex. Partnerships were lining up but
a big funding gap remained, so Vermont Senator Peter Welch (then Representative) stepped in to a big funding gap remained, so Vermont Senator Peter Welch (then Representative) stepped in to
bring the project home with more than $2.4 million in congressionally directed spending. In early bring the project home with more than $2.4 million in congressionally directed spending. In early
‘24, he joined Oscar Tang and USDA RD Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad to cut the ribbon ‘24, he joined Oscar Tang and USDA RD Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad to cut the ribbon
on the Tang Science Annex, a place to inspire wonder and curiosity for generations to come.on the Tang Science Annex, a place to inspire wonder and curiosity for generations to come.
$2,465,176
Congressionally Directed
USDA CF Grant
7,600
St. Johnsbury Residents
Benefitting from Annex
$3,900,000
Funding from State of
Vermont & Others
$197,000
USDA Rural Business
Development Grant
$369,800
USDA Community Facilities
Direct Loan
$149,900
USDA Community Facilities
Grant
For program regulations and requirements, please go to the USDA RD For program regulations and requirements, please go to the USDA RD CF fact sheetsCF fact sheets
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
USDA Deputy Under Secretary for RD Farah Ahmad (at podium)
joined Philanthropist Oscar Tang and VT Sen. Peter Welch (seated,
from left) in February ‘24 to cut the ribbon of the new Tang Science
Annex, made with locally harvested Eastern Hemlock Mass Timber
