Press

by Jess Willis

by Connor Ullathorne

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. (WCAX) - A puzzle in space, while in a new space. VRmont Studios opened up its new studio on Thursday in Springfield. They’re not just about VR tech; they’ve got a new makerspace coming, and they’re hoping it helps revitalize the downtown area.

Their open house featured multiple virtual reality arenas for people to tackle virtual escape rooms.

Josie Michaud is the business manager for VRmont Studios. “Build up teamwork and collaboration skills, which you have to use if you successfully complete an escape room,” said Michaud.

Virtual reality is a computer-generated 3D environment.

She says the studio does have something for everyone of all ages.

“So far, I haven’t met anyone who has no idea, no entry point into it,” said Michaud.

I got a first-hand look at what happens inside the space, and the games and puzzles guests will see under the lens.

The studio is partnered with the black river innovation campus, a Springfield organization, to help local students gain interest in STEAM careers, science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

VRmont came about as our brand for STEAM education and workforce programs working with students and community members, building awareness for emerging careers," said Chris Maggiolo of Black River Innovation Campus.

But while the VR arena is a big hit, the space also features a drone soccer setup as well as a makerspace.

It’s something the studio hopes they can build on to create more creators throughout Springfield.

“Looking forward to the future about what’s coming next, what opportunities exist for the workforce for students,” said Maggiolo.

Michaud hopes the studio can be part of something bigger: a revitalization of Springfield’s downtown.

“Since the factories moved out have fallen on hard times, but a lot of that is coming back, and this is just one more step,” said Michaud.

The studios’ open house continues through Sunday, and they’ll be open every Thursday through Sunday to welcome more people in to try out this new tech.

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by Kiran Nigro, Ben Breen

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Many rural communities around Vermont don’t have the technology or money to keep up with new innovation – but one non-profit hopes a new facility will give Vermonters a chance.

Black River Innovation Campus just opened VRmont Studios, which is a hands-on STEAM – or science, technology, engineering, arts, and technology – hub in downtown Springfield.

The new location is described as an interactive museum featuring everything from VR escape rooms to a game development studio. The 5,000-square-foot facility also features a 3D printer and a laser cutter alongside computers for learning technology skills.

The opening was originally announced for November – but after repeated delays due to everything from heating issues to a leaky roof, VRmont Studios finally opened on Thursday.

BRIC’s deputy director, Chris Maggiolo, told us they’re hoping to bring rural students and people into an industry that usually focuses on major cities. “It’s really meant to be a space where rural communities can experience these emerging technologies, can prepare for changes in career pathways or really just come in and have fun.”

He said that the VR escape rooms are available for booking with groups of up to five people, with scenarios including a wizard’s tower and an underwater temple.

The other side of the facility is the STEAM lab, where they hope to offer summer camps for robotics, engineering, aeronautics, and even theater and music.

VRmont Studios is designed to be a community space, but fully mobile at the same time. Maggiolo tells ABC22/FOX44 that their drone arena can be fully packed up and taken to show to educators throughout Vermont.

And speaking of drones, VRmont is planning to host a drone soccer club for high school students, as well as an evening league for adults. Drone soccer is a unique sport where players pilot small aircraft while trying to score, learning engineering and teamwork at the same time.

Titus Robinson’s family owns a business down the street in Springfield. He said he was most excited to use the 3D printers.

“Being able to create something from a spool of filament is awesome. You get to explore different avenues of creativity in a way and really make things come to life.”

For more information or a link to book an outing, visit the VRmont website.

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by MtnTimes

A new technology and learning hub is opening in downtown Springfield, offering hands-on experiences in virtual reality, robotics, game development, and more.

Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) has announced the launch of VRmont Studios, a 5,000-square-foot immersive technology and STEAM education center located at 23–25 Main Street. The public is invited to explore the new space during a four-day Grand Opening Open House, beginning Thursday, Jan. 29.

Designed to serve learners of all ages, VRmont Studios blends education, workforce development, and interactive entertainment to expand access to emerging technologies in rural Vermont. The space is built around experiential learning, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.

“Think of it as a hands-on museum focused on technology, STEAM education, and career pathways,” said Chris Maggiolo, deputy director of BRIC. “VRmont Studios is a place where curiosity turns into skills and where learning feels exciting, relevant, and accessible.”

Inside VRmont Studios

The new facility features a range of interactive technology zones and learning areas, including: Virtual reality escape rooms, where teams work together to solve puzzles in immersive digital environments

A drone soccer arena, introducing participants to drone piloting, robotics, and competitive play.

A game development studio supporting hands-on computer science and digital design.

A makerspace equipped with 3D printers, a laser cutter, and a vinyl plotter.

Dedicated space for LEGO robotics clubs and rotating STEAM activities.

In addition to on-site programming, VRmont Studios will offer mobile VR and drone experiences, allowing schools, businesses, and community organizations throughout the region to bring immersive learning directly to their locations.

Boosting downtown activity and workforce skills

Beyond education, the project is expected to contribute to Springfield’s downtown revitalization by drawing new visitors to Main Street year-round.

By linking immersive technology with career exploration and workforce training, VRmont Studios also aims to help prepare students and adults for opportunities in technology-driven industries.

Operations at the new space are led by Josie Michaud, who brings experience in makerspace management and STEAM education from her previous work at Fab Newport.

Even before officially opening, VRmont Studios has already supported LEGO League clubs in Windsor and Windham counties, hosted STEAM in the Park events with the Upper Valley Nighthawks, and delivered virtual reality programming for educators at Wardsboro Elementary School.

VRmont Studios was developed through a mix of public funding, philanthropic support, and local partnerships. BRIC is continuing to seek additional sponsors and business collaborators to help expand programming and ensure access to immersive learning opportunities for rural youth and communities.

“We’re building something that belongs to the community,” Maggiolo said. “Partnerships and sponsorships allow us to reach more learners, support educators, and grow career pathways that matter to Vermont’s future.”

Grand opening open house schedule

Thursday, Jan. 29 & Friday, Jan. 30: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 31 & Sunday, Feb. 1: Noon–8 p.m.

During the open house, visitors can tour the facility, try virtual reality demos, and book escape room experiences. Anyone who books an experience during the grand opening weekend will be entered into a raffle to win a free VR escape room session for up to five players. Advance booking is recommended.

For more information, visit: vrmontstudios.com.

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from the Springfield Rotary Club

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Members of the Springfield Rotary Club welcomed Josie Michaud, operations manager for VRmont Studios, located at 23-25 Main Street in Springfield, as the featured speaker at a recent weekly meeting, where she shared an inside look at Vermont’s growing media and innovation ecosystem.

Michaud spoke about VRmont Studios, a program of the Black River Innovation Campus in Springfield, which provides professional video, audio, and digital media services, while also serving as a training and workforce development initiative. Through hands-on learning and real-world projects, VRmont Studios helps participants develop technical skills, confidence, and pathways to employment in the creative and digital economy.

During her presentation, Michaud outlined the wide range of projects VRmont Studios undertakes, including video production, livestreaming, podcasts, promotional content, and event coverage for nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations across the region. She emphasized that the studio’s mission extends beyond production work, to focus on mentorship, accessibility, and expanding opportunities for individuals who may face barriers to traditional employment.

Michaud also highlighted the broader role of the Black River Innovation Campus as a community hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and workforce development. By combining professional-grade media production with education and support, VRmont Studios contributes to both individual career growth and the economic vitality of the region. To learn more about VRmont Studios, visit www.vrmontstudios.com/about.

The Springfield Rotary Club meets every Tuesday, at 12 p.m., at the SAPCC Workforce Development & Training Center. For more information, visit www.springfieldvtrotary.org.

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The Siegel Family Endowment highlights the Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) in Springfield, Vermont, showcasing its role as a catalyst for innovation in a region historically tied to manufacturing. Situated in Precision Valley, BRIC provides essential support for tech entrepreneurs through cutting-edge facilities such as co-working spaces and advanced infrastructure like a 10G fiber connection. The campus also functions as a business incubator, offering training, partnerships, and early-stage investment opportunities. Emphasizing community engagement, BRIC collaborates with local and national organizations to foster sustainable growth and economic revitalization. Supported by the Siegel Family Endowment, BRIC exemplifies inclusive innovation, making strides towards a vibrant future for Springfield and rural communities alike.

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – On Monday, April 10, the Springfield Selectboard heard a presentation from Interim Executive Director Marguerite Dibble of the Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC). Dibble reported on BRIC’s involvement with the Springfield Regional Development Corp. (SRDC), a program to support entrepreneurship in the Springfield area.

BRIC’s updated Entrepreneurial Accelerator will focus on creating start-ups within technology, advanced manufacturing, and advanced computing. BRIC is partnering with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD to provide commercialization opportunities with NASA-developed technology for participants.

In November 2022, BRIC was awarded $3M through the Economic Development Administration Build to Scale Venture Challenge to scale its Actuator program to new geographic regions and add advanced manufacturing and advanced computing verticals to its incubator offerings. These new objectives strongly align with NASA’s technology transfer program, providing a joint opportunity to promote commercial activity, economic growth, and innovation in rural America. BRIC’s partnership with Goddard will focus on the technology transfer program resources, while providing regional entrepreneurs with the resources that enable scalable high-growth concepts.

In addition to startups engaging in BRIC’s Actuator entrepreneurship program, regional innovators, businesses, and students will examine available Goddard technologies to determine which ones have the most promising commercial or partnership potential.

“Engaging with growing economic regions to educate start up and STEM communities is a core value for NASA. We are excited to work closely with BRIC and connect within their expanding ecosystems,” says Samantha Kilgore, Goddard’s Technology Transfer Expansion program’s lead.

BRIC’s partnership with Goddard aligns with the launch of the organization’s updated entrepreneurial curriculum, BRIC’s Actuator program. The curriculum offers founders a 10-week program three times a year to hone business development skills and network with key regional mentors and resources. The program will focus not only on supporting the development of a specific business concept, but also provide the entrepreneur participants with a set of tools for building a “founder’s mindset”: exposure to a number of business models and structures that will support future business concepting. BRIC will combine this start-up programming with a Lifestyle Curriculum that will provide 10 weeks of seasonal activities, events, and adventures embracing what it means to not just survive, but thrive in rural Vermont.

“We have a unique ecosystem for entrepreneurship here in rural Vermont,” says BRIC’s Interim Executive Director Marguerite Dibble. “We wanted to create a program that highlights everything that makes Vermont such a special place to live, and to build a business. By adding a lifestyle curriculum to make Vermont a more accessible option and providing excellent start-up programming, I believe we’re achieving that goal. When you’re an entrepreneurial person, chances are you’re going to be creating companies for the rest of your life, and we want to show why Vermont is a great place to be for just that.”

BRIC’s new focus on advanced manufacturing and advanced computing as well as technology start-ups is supported by keystone partnerships with Vermont State University, Vermont Technical College, and Norwich University.

In addition to Springfield Vermont, BRIC will be hosting and expanding events into the Randolph region, furthering the organization’s goals of empowering rural Vermont communities through entrepreneurship and technology.

BRIC will be introducing its new programming and the technology transfer partnership with Goddard at workshops throughout the state where participants can rapidly create and iterate on business concepts with local mentors to explore the entrepreneurial process. The first workshops will take place on March 29th in Springfield, Vermont and on April 11th in Randolph, Vermont with more to be announced.

Sign ups for the workshops can be found at BRIC’s website, and applications for BRIC’s Actuator entrepreneurship program are open, with cohorts beginning in May 2023, September 2023, and January 2024.

To access the software catalog, and for more information on NASA’s Tech Transfer program, visit: http://technology.nasa.gov/

Black River Innovation Campus will be awarded $3 million in federal grants and matching dollars to support local entrepreneurship and innovation.

Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) along with partners will now scale the Actuator technology entrepreneurship incubator/accelerator program in Vermont by adding specializations in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and medical technologies. This EDA investment will also support a new project focused on scaling the network and support needed for technology startups to succeed in rural Vermont.

BRIC worked with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) and the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC) to apply for this grant as part of CORI’s 2022 Rural Innovation Initiative, a technical assistance program empowering rural communities to create inclusive digital economies that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation.

“The work that goes into the Rural Innovation Initiative process requires intense focus, unwavering optimism, and a clear vision for the future — which is why it’s been so exciting to watch these communities receive Build to Scale funding,” said Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director at the Center on Rural Innovation.

With the $3 million provided by the Venture Challenge grant and matching funds, BRIC plans to scale its Actuator technology entrepreneurship incubator/accelerator program from Springfield to Randolph, GMEDC will launch an innovation and entrepreneurship hub in Randolph, and the two organizations will execute regional strategies for ecosystem engagement to attract and retain entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and workforce. Both Springfield and Randolph are part of CORI’s Rural Innovation Network.

“Partnership with CORI and BRIC allows us to expand geographical impact to the White River Valley, and build out regional expertise in the fields of advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity," says Erika Hoffman-Kiess, Executive Director, GMEDC.

"It's an incredibly exciting time for the organization and I feel very lucky to be joining at this moment. I’ve lived in rural Vermont building tech companies for all my professional life, and am eager to develop programs that not only help participants build world-class technology start-ups, but also bring to life the value proposition of the truly one-of-a-kind lifestyle we’re able to enjoy as rural Vermonters," said Marguerite Dibble, BRIC's new Executive Director.

BRIC is joined by Vermont Technical College, Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative, Norwich University, Springfield Regional Development Corporation, Vermont Telephone Company, and ECFiber as local partners who provided funding for the community’s match portion of the grant. Other local partners supporting this program include Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, Dartmouth College, and Vermont Technical College.

The 2022 Build to Scale program awarded 51 grants to applicants from 31 states. The grants represent a combined $47 million in federal investment. Springfield and Randolph’s application was one of just eight rural applications to receive the award this year.

The Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) announces initiative aimed towards remote work upskilling, computer science education, and adult learning.

The “Remote Work Professional Certificate Course” is a one month program where students learn remote work best practices and tools. Students who receive an 80% average or higher in the course receive a professional certificate of completion and can work with BRIC staff for further career guidance and mentorships. Certificate-holders will also receive priority consideration for remote work positions being offered by BRIC employer-affiliates.

“The recent paradigm shift towards remote and distributed work means that these skills are incredibly important, more so now than ever before. Though we look forward to the days when shelter-in-place orders are long behind us, this change in structure will inevitably leave a lasting impression. It’s our hope that we can help Vermonters get ahead of these changes and not only stay ahead of them, but thrive alongside them,” said Chris Maggiolo, Campus Manager at the Black River Innovation Campus.

BRIC is also partnering with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) and the Flatiron School to offer a suite of online computer science classes. Students may study a variety of subjects including: coding, data science, cybersecurity analytics, and UX/UI design.

The course, which takes 5 months at 40 hours per week or 10 months at 20 hours per week, is available fully online and extra support will be available via the BRIC community in Springfield.

In addition to the education provided by the Flatiron School, CORI and BRIC will facilitate career support for program students, helping to identify and apply for local jobs or jobs that can be conducted remotely from the Black River Innovation Campus.

The program offers a creative financing model to allow more people to take advantage of the opportunity. Instead of paying tuition up front, students can access the Flatiron School’s Income Share Agreements (to see terms and agreements, visit https://flatironschool.com/income-share-agreement-isa-online) and make payments only after they’ve left the program and are earning at least $40,000/year.

Founded in 2018, the Black River Innovation Campus’s aim is to educate and train people in digital and remote work skills, employ them in digital economy jobs, and empower them to launch the startups that will continue to drive Springfield’s digital economy.

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The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Springfield, VT – BRIC welcomes Arsana Health (Arsana) to its Springfield-based innovation campus. A recipient of CORI Innovation Fund (CIF) investment, Arsana is a producer of software and hardware solutions for post-acute healthcare providers, such as skilled nursing facilities and assisted living homes.

Arsana founder and CEO, Connor Dahlberg, said, “40% of Americans will require long-term care in their lifetime. Arsana’s solutions improve long-term care outcomes and are gaining significant traction in the post-acute care marketplace. We are excited to utilize the additional capital provided by CIF to grow our business and better serve our customers.”

The Arsana Health Portal combines medical records from post-acute care facilities, doctors’ offices, labs, and pharmacies into an intuitive and convenient format that saves time, creates new billing opportunities, and improves outcomes. The company’s hardware solution, WashSense, uses a patent-protected smart sensor installed next to soap dispensers to promote and monitor proper handwashing technique to improve hygiene and reduce the spread of infection at medical facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the functionality of the company’s products even more important for its customers.

“We are excited to welcome Arsana as an anchor tenant,” said BRIC executive director Trevor Barlow, “and we look forward to supporting the Arsana team as they continue to grow and provide their invaluable and innovative services to the healthcare industry.”

Arsana expects all three WashSense/Arsana employees to begin working from the Black River Innovation Campus in July.

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. —

The Black River Innovation Campus, a Springfield nonprofit, has opened a new facility called VRmont.

The organization's new studio space has virtual reality escape rooms, a drone sports arena, a STEAM education lab and a computer lab for students to learn about digital design.

According to the nonprofit's deputy director Chris Maggiolo, the group will host summer camps and after-school programs in the space, but he said he hopes it will become a hub for the entire community to come learn.

The project has been in the works for a year, and he said he is excited to finally share it with others.

"To be able to hear the exclamations of joy as they're walking through some of these puzzles to hear them communicating, it's really what the space is meant to be. This is meant to be a showcase that technology and these opportunities are available for rural communities. It's not just something that happens in big cities and so to have that here in Springfield, it's just really validating," said Maggiolo.

The grand opening events are taking place Thursday-Sunday. Visitors can stop in to check out the space from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday or noon to 8 p.m. this weekend.

Here is a link to the original article.