Our Story
Remember when the Precision Valley attracted a machine tool industry that was the area's economic engine
Top per capita income in Vermont
Springfield drew workers and students from a wide area
An excellent education gave us a great start in life
An unmatched co-op program that led to high-paying jobs in the machine tool industry
Exceptional college prep courses that prepared students for top tier colleges
The machine tool industry will not return, but Springfield can thrive in the information age
The world is increasingly driven by IT centric organizations
Community leaders are following a long-term strategy to build a digital ecosystem that will incubate and attract hi-tech companies
STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) provides the foundation for a sound skills strategy
Many of us have reached an age when we’d like to do something meaningful to make a difference
Springfield's information-age renaissance has already begun
VermontTel made the Springfield area the "best-connected place in America" by providing every household and business access to 10 GB Fiber Internet
BRIC (Black River Innovation Campus) leads the local effort to eliminate the barriers of entry for digital and technology entrepreneurs and web-enabled businesses, providing equipment, classes and events, conference space, and a community of engaged digital and tech professionals
SRDC (Springfield Region Development Corp.) helps entrepreneurs and businesses take advantage of a variety of state, federal and private programs available to start-ups and other business in the area
The federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 designated the area as an Opportunity Zone
With encouragement from BRIC and SRDC, technology firm jobs are starting to move to Springfield
Major projects have improved the infrastructure
Removal of old plants and contaminated soil
See what they are doing to The Woolson Block
At their 50th class reunion in 2018, the founding board members were inspired to create a foundation that would provide a way for SHS alumni to support the area's revitalization.
They designed the Cosmos Fund (CF) so that you, your classmates and other alumni can give back to our home town.
They intended to make the CF an enduring, independent fund that will help the Springfield area thrive in the information age, in good times and bad
CF can help alumni donors have a big, visible impact on the area's economy
CF officially obtained tax-exempt status early in 2020....just in time for the COVID19 pandemic.
The pandemic may have slowed us down, but we have survived and are ready to grow.