At the Vermont Community Loan Fund, we look for projects in the areas of small business, community facilities and affordable housing.  Once in awhile, someone does it all.   This is the case with Jodi Marquis, owner of Creative Minds Children’s Center in Newport.

A Newport Center native, Marquis owned and operated the child care center since 1999. When her leased space went up for sale, she seized the opportunity. “I was extremely blessed in the purchase of the building” notes Marquis.  “Vermont Community Loan Fund was a strong resource to me.”

With a $204,000 loan from VCLF and a $25,000 grant from the Building Bright Futures Fund, Marquis purchased and extensively renovated the entire structure from the ground up.  Renovations ranged from plumbing, heating and electrical to innovative interior designs for the child care space, including a sunken, self-enclosed indoor sand play area.  Creative Minds Children’s Center provides care for 50 children from 21 families, all of whom receive a state subsidy.  The Center also offers a transportation program, is a Head Start partner, and serves as a mentor for three other providers.  In addition to these improvements, two units of affordable rental housing were created.

Because of the renovations, the expanded center is accredited with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the highest level of accreditation available for pre-school aged care.