Photo: Provided by Julie Lineberger – New WheelPad Manufacturing Facility

WILMINGTON, Vt. — WheelPad L3C, a Wilmington-based company, designs and builds modular, accessible living spaces for people with mobility challenges—including veterans, individuals recovering from injuries, and older adults who wish to age in place. As the company prepared for growth and increased demand, it became clear that expanding its physical space would require the right partners and resources.

WheelPad has helped countless people modify their homes to better suit their needs—so when it came time to expand their own “home,” Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) was proud to help make that possible. Working together through the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) Sub-3 loan program, BDCC purchased the Druke property at 211 Route 9 West in Wilmington on WheelPad’s behalf. The Sub-3 program enables regional development corporations to secure financing for real estate projects that support local job creation and business expansion.

WheelPad now leases the building from BDCC through an agreement that includes occupancy costs — such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance— plus the loan payments amortized over twenty years with a seven year term. This structure keeps monthly costs manageable and gives WheelPad the option to purchase the property in the future, once it aligns with the company’s growth and financial strategy. It’s like a rent-to-own model, but without added profit or markup — every payment supports the eventual transfer of ownership.

Recognizing the importance of safe industrial infrastructure, BDCC collaborated with the Windham Regional Commission’s Brownfields program to conduct environmental assessments of the property.“We are pleased to provide funding to assess potential contamination concerns related to previous site uses,” said Susan Westa, associate director of the Windham Regional Commission. Environmental assessments and potential mitigation can often be a major barrier to business expansion, as the process can uncover unforeseen issues and carry significant costs. This partnership ensured the site met current safety standards, facilitating WheelPad’s seamless transition into the new space.

“This expansion allows us to increase our impact and better serve individuals and families who need accessible housing solutions,” said Julie Lineberger, CEO and founder of WheelPad. “Our entire team is grateful to BDCC, VEDA, and the State of Vermont for believing in our mission and helping us take this next step.”

Over the course of a six-year relationship, BDCC has also helped WheelPad navigate state and federal programs that support business growth. In summer 2024, the Vermont Department of Economic Development toured the facility and explored options for state support, including the Vermont Training Program and the Rural Industrial Development Program (RIDP). While WheelPad didn’t qualify for all programs, BDCC secured a $240,000 RIDP patient capital investment to help fund the property acquisition. Combined with the VEDA Sub-3 loan, that grant allowed BDCC to shoulder the upfront risk of property ownership. “This project is exactly the type of project we had in mind for industrial expansion in the state: BDCC, VEDA, and State of Vermont partnering to make great things happen is the most gratifying part of the program,” said Vermont Department of Economic Development commissioner Joan Goldstein.

BDCC offers a variety of solutions for business startups and growing operations. Executive Director, Adam Grinold explains, “Through our programs, services and initiatives, BDCC aims to foster a culture of business growth and resilience that provides tools and empowers owners to invest in their own success.” For businesses, this might look like seeking partnerships to improve operations, adopt new technologies, train and prepare your workforce, pursue new markets and establish resiliency and recovery plans. BDCC encourages other expanding businesses to approach BDCC to explore its entrepreneurial support solutions and development services. 

About WheelPadL3C:

WheelPad is an American designer and manufacturer of premium, wheelchair-accessible modular homes that can be attached to an existing home or placed as a standalone structure so people with mobility challenges can live, work, and play more easily in their community of choice. WheelPad homes are available for purchase, lease, or through its income-sensitive Peter’s Program leases. For more information, please visit: https://www.wheelpad.com/

About BDCC:

Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) is a private, nonprofit economic development organization with the mission of investing in the drivers of the regional economy so that people, businesses, and communities in Southern Vermont can thrive. In addition to its private nonprofit leadership role in regional business acceleration and expansion programs and projects, economic, workforce and community development programming, BDCC also serves as the State of Vermont’s certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) for the greater Windham County area (including Windham County and the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, Winhall and Weston). BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont. BDCC’s activity is made possible in part by a grant from the State of Vermont through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. For more information visit: https://brattleborodevelopment.com/

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