DIXVILLE NOTCH — Two Colebrook businessmen who purchased The Balsams Grand Resort and Hotel in Dixville Notch for $2.3 million plan to close it for the next year-and-a-half.

“We care deeply about restoring the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel to its full glory as a world-class destination resort and seeing it thrive for decades to come,” said Daniel Hebert Jr., who with Daniel Dagesse has formed Balsams View, LLC.

The Tillotson Corporation had owned the 7,700-acre property.

The deal means an end to Public Service of New Hampshire’s recent offer to buy an undeveloped portion of the Balsams property for its Northern Pass project transmission line.

George Bald, the state’s director of resources and economic development, acknowledged Wednesday that the 300 seasonal workers who rely on the hotel and resort for income may be in for a rough time.

“It’s tough for people to have to lose their jobs and wait that long,” Bald said. “We’re going to do everything we can to work with the new owners. We’ll work to try to shorten up that time.”

Hebert noted the Balsams’ last renovations occurred more than 40 years ago. The resort, which closed for the season in September, is off Route 26 in the northern tip of Coos County.

“We recognize closing the hotel over an extended period for renovations will be difficult for employees, but it is absolutely necessary to ensure the resort’s long-term viability,” he said.

In a written statement, Tillotson Corp. President Tom Deans said Wednesday the new owners’ goals line up with those of the board.

“Our objective has always been to sell the Balsams to a buyer who would preserve the jobs of Balsams’ employees and continue the economic benefits that the hotel provides in the North Country,” Deans said. “We are pleased that ownership of the Balsams will pass to a local group that shares that goal as well.”

Both Hebert, a builder, and Dagesse, former owner of several automobile dealerships, were part of a previous group of prospective buyers for the hotel; that deal fell apart earlier this year. At the time, renovation costs were pegged at $12-$20 million.

Hebert said the first step is to winterize the hotel and decommission the biomass plant. He said Balsams View is committed to employing North Country contractors and workers.

The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests struck an agreement with the Tillotson board to pay $850,000 for conservation restrictions on 6,000 acres — including 30 miles of recreational trails — surrounding the property.

Last month, Public Service of New Hampshire had put in a bid for some of the land, part of its search for a less-controversial route to connect to hydroelectric energy from Canada, PSNH and Northern Pass spokesman Martin Murray had said.

Forest Society spokesman Jack Savage said the conservation restrictions will prohibit further subdivision and commercial development, while allowing forestry and recreational access.

“We’re pleased Tillotson Corp. has given us the opportunity to raise $850,000 to pursue a conservation outcome,” he said. “If we’re successful, there will be no provision for any private development — including a Northern Pass right-of-way.”

The money must be raised by Jan. 15.