Of the $303 million that Gov. Maura Healey announced will support economic development and housing projects across the state, about $2.5 million is coming to Orange.
“We’re investing in communities across Massachusetts to create the housing, jobs and economic growth our state needs,” Healey said in a statement. “These awards will turn underused properties into new homes and businesses, strengthen downtowns, create good jobs and unlock billions of dollars in private investment. That means more opportunity for families, workers and businesses in every part of our state.”
The Orange Economic Development & Industrial Corporation (OEDIC) is getting $200,000, a major boost to its efforts to redevelop the former Butterfield School at 94 South Main St.
OEDIC was recently notified that it had received two $100,000 grants. Chair Tom Sexton explained that one of the grants will enable the OEDIC to undertake a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment to determine if hazardous substances, petroleum products or other environmental contaminants are present in the 2.1-acre property’s soil or groundwater, while the other grant can be used to advance the redevelopment effort through pre-construction feasibility, planning and design work.
Butterfield School, built in 1878, was closed in 2015 due to declining enrollment and the town’s financial issues. OEDIC assumed ownership of the site following a vote at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
Sexton said the latest tranche of funding will complement roughly $9,900 that Orange received through FRCOG in 2024. The earlier grant, he mentioned, identified underground former heating oil tanks and an apparent groundwater monitoring well. He said the more recent grant will likely make the property more appealing to a buyer.
“Hopefully, it increases the value of the property,” he said.
Based on the work that the OEDIC has done so far and on conversations with government officials and potential developers, reuse of the Butterfield School will need to include housing, due to the availability of funding for that purpose and the opportunity to address an identified community need. Other complementary uses, such as a senior center for town residents, could also be built into the upcoming request for proposals. The project could also include refurbishment of the school’s auditorium and gymnasium, together with public use of those facilities and outdoor recreational space on the grounds.
As the next step in the process, OEDIC is planning a community engagement effort. This is expected to include a public tour of the former school in November, a meeting on Nov. 17 at Town Hall to review the project and seek public input, an online community survey, and a community engagement summary report. OEDIC’s board of directors recently voted to partner on the community engagement work with Resilience Planning, which managed a similar effort as part of the Grow Orange 2035 long-range comprehensive plan.
The community engagement results will help feed the development of the formal RFP that is expected to be released in the first few months of 2027. The intent is to generate redevelopment proposals by midyear and to select a developer later in the year.
Also in Orange, $2.3 million is heading to support Phase 2 of the South Main Street project. This money will fund roadway improvements and installation of new water main, sewer, drainage and stormwater management infrastructure.
In connection with the redevelopment of the former Butterfield School, state officials say the reconstruction of South Main Street will catalyze housing production and economic development by removing the infrastructure constraints that currently exist, both at the former Butterfield School and the surrounding area.
“I’m hopeful that the redevelopment of Butterfield School is the first step in creating housing and a more vibrant downtown,” state Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, said in a statement. “We need to look at this robust investment from the state as the beginning of an exciting era in Orange.”
Meanwhile, New Salem got $500,000 for the replacement of deteriorated culverts on West Main Street. These new culverts, in addition to being modern, will be climate resilient.
