I N V E S T O R B O O K L E T

GROWING ISN’T ALWAYS UPWARDS.

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from us, to you The idea for Grow Space wasn’t something that came quickly. For years, we as a team have watched carefully at the numerous ideas and plans that have continually failed for a myriad of reasons; we seek change.

Community has always been our first priority. Since we grew up here, the idea of Grow Space grew up here, too. We’ve been Burlington residents for as long as we can remember and our main goal is to maintain the charm it holds. You might be asking why help? All the answers are right here in this book, and in your hearts.

This projects isn’t about putting more money in our pockets, rather, putting more smiles on your faces.

Innovate together.

Jason Aldrich & Chris MatthewsFounders, Grow Space

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COMMUNITY

SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION

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our values There are three things that we hold dear to our hearts at Grow Space. Communtiy, Innovation and Sustainability are the three roots that lay deep in our foundation. All three have a key role in the community center, acting separately, and together.

Big Change. Small Footprint.

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inspire For years, the Moran Plan has been filled with numerous business opportunities; it’s now time to fill the void. The plant space must be utilized with a proper business model that will not only benefit the community but the city as well.

The city of Burlington is a sustainability hub, glowing environmental advocacy throughout. Our business model, Grow Space, is the newest, most innovative and effective way to benefit the community as a whole. By utilizing the old Moran Plant space, we are able to provide a number of assets to the locals of Burlington, including sustainable transportation, education, and farming.

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MIRO WEINBERGER, MAYOR OF BURLINGTON

“THIS IS THE ONE.”It’s not a matter of if Grow Space will do well. It’s a matter of trying to hold on as this business soars”

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BY THE YEAR 2050, Nearly 80% of the earth’s population will reside in urban centers.

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innovate |

Since hothouse production of tomatoes, vertical farming has been an innovative way to farm. Grow space will be the start of a never ending spread to grow up, not out. By growing upwards, and inside, we will be able to offer year-round farming conditions for all.

•Year-round crop production; 1 indoor acre is equivalent to 4-6 outdoor acres or more, depending upon the crop (e.g., strawberries: 1 indoor acre = 30 outdoor acres)•No weather-related crop failures due to droughts, floods, pests• All VF food is grown organically: no herbicides, pesti-cides, or fertilizers• VF virtually eliminates agricultural runoff by recycling black water• VF returns farmland to nature, restoring ecosystem functions and services• VF greatly reduces the incidence of many infectious diseases that are acquired at the agricultural interface• VF converts black and gray water into potable water by collecting the water ofevapotranspiration• VF adds energy back to the grid via methane genera-tion from composting non-edibleparts of plants and animals• VF dramatically reduces fossil fuel use

THE VERTICAL FARM

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sustainable educationLiving sustainably is a major passion in Vermont. With our programs offered in the McKibben & Aldrich Academy, residents all over Burlington will be able to attend lectures, workshops and classes revolving around living sustainably.

Bill McKibben And Jen Alrich have generously donated their time and efforts into building this program from the bottom up. With their astounding reputations as environmental activists, we couldn’t think of better candidates.

Benefits of the Academy:

• Classes - Range from beginner to advanced• Workshops - Hands on in-depth workshops - heavily activity based• Lectures - Each week, the Academy will bring in one speaker of a new and innovative topic revolving around environmentalism.• Art Classes - Ranging from all different angles, meant for fun!• Fitness - Because who doesn’t love yoga?

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collaborationCommunity is one of our major priorties at Grow Space. There’s no science involved around creating a company that benefits its community. We know what it’s like to live in this city, what it’s like to be at the waterfront and to be biking on the greatest bike path there is.

We have a number of assets that can benefit the communtiy. We’ve partnered with CarShare VT to create a space for four hybrid vehicles for rent all day, every day. We’ve also teamed up with Local Motion to help create a bike friendly atmostphere. This invovles such benefits as bike rentals, storage, and repair shops to ensure we’re helping you save the planet, too.

Alongside our vertical farm, The Intervale Center has donated their time to help create a farmshare partnership.

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“SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION AT ITS FINEST.

BILL MCKIBBEN, ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST

The Grow Space team has done incredible work to put this fantastic new business idea together. I’m thrilled, eager, and excited to be a part of this revolutionary idea.”

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architectureA comforting environment has been one of our core values from the beginning. We knew a cohesive and systematic approach was a necessity. By utilizing the original framework and design, we are able to not only keep the nostalgic aspect of the space, but hold on to the cultural attachment.

We have made simple adjustments to the space, some including a four car garage for the CarShare program and updated interiors for better use for the vertical farming. Also, adjacent to the garage will be a space for Local Motion to host their bike rental program.

Adjacent to the Vertical Farm section of our space is dedicated to sustainable education. Half of the space is for The McKibben Academy, and the other, The Aldrich Academy for Kids. We strongly believe that the architectural placement of these assets is crucial and have taken great time and effort to systematically plan them as according.

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bioretentionGiven the location of Grow Space, at the bottom of the hill section in Burlington, water run-off is a major issue. Modeled after a recent Champlain College update, the bioretention area at Grow Space will be innovative and incredibly effective. A sustainable area such as this will benefit multiple aspects of the space. With controlled water-flow, the bioretention area will be able to not only clean water, but control output into the lake, helping to regulate water levels.

Better water. Better future.

Photo courtesy of Cloos Architecture

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The addition of the bioretention area can

increase the quality of lake water to upwards of 70%.

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CONTRIBUTORS:LOCAL MOTION

CITY MARKET CO-OPCARSHARE VT

INTERVALE FARMCHAMPLAIN COLLEGE

BILL MCKIBBENCHRISTINA ERICKSON