Marina Smith, owner of South Burlington’s plush, newly relocated Veilmonté Bridal Showroom, got her first exposure to bridal couture growing up in Moldova, where she helped out at her aunt’s bustling bridal gown factory. The memory of those custom-designed, sparkling gowns and veils stayed with her. “I always dreamed of owning a bridal shop,” she says.
After moving to the US in the early 2000s, Marina met her future husband, a native of Moldova living in Vermont. She settled in Chittenden County and into a job “that I didn’t really like.”
Not long after, she happened to hear of an available retail space in the Burlington Mall. It had ample room and high ceilings, “which you need for a bridal shop because the wedding dresses are so big, the brides need a lot of room to try them on,” Marina explains. It was, it seemed, the right space at the right time to open Veilmonté Bridal Showroom, featuring her aunt’s couture bridal line.
For months, Veilmonte saw a constant stream of brides…until the day that mall management suddenly terminated Marina’s lease. “They told me they were closing the mall permanently because of COVID and I had to go.”
Vermont's wedding industry is a widely recognized economic engine, estimated to bring $160 million to the state, annually. Marina’s shop not only provided fulltime work for herself; she regularly collaborated with venues, photographers, hairstylists, makeup artists, and more. She knew that Veilmonté’s closing would create a ‘ripple effect’ of lost work and income. She’d also spent countless hours and her own savings launch her shop. She wondered how, or even if, she could finance a new Veilmonté.
On the advice of Center for Women and Enterprise Executive Director (and VCLF Board Vice President!) Gwen Pokalo, Marina contacted the Loan Fund. “I’d never borrowed money for my business, and I felt nervous about borrowing from a bank. But VCLF helped me immediately,” Marina recounts.
She found a new location on Shelburne Road with high visibility (and even higher ceilings!). In September of 2022, Veilmonté Bridal Showroom officially re-opened, and the brides again began marching through her door.
Today, a chandelier casts soft light on the delicate pink showroom interiors. Racks of cloud-like gowns line the halls. “My customers tell me it’s so beautiful here, which is so important because this is a very special time for them,“ Marina says.
Brides and their parties are invited to visit by appointment only. “They’ll have this entire private space to themselves,” says Marina. For an additional fee, they can enjoy champagne and treats while perusing the rows of racks.
“I couldn’t have done this without the Loan Fund,” Marina says. “The Loan Fund helped me with so much. They even helped with my business plan.”
“A bank doesn’t necessarily want to help you with your business or learn about who you are. But with the Loan Fund, they looked more deeply into my needs. I felt like somebody had reached out their hand and saved me.” veilmontebride.com
In the second half of 2022, VCLF financing was also provided to:
Business Lending
Ananda Gardens, Montpelier
Ananda Gardens, established in 2016 by Melisa Oliva-Guzman and Patrick Sullivan, is a 33-acre vegetable farm. In 2021, the land surrounding their farm, including the private road vital to their deliveries and CSA member pick-ups, came on the market; Melisa and Patrick made purchase with an adjustable rate mortgage, but as interest rates began to climb, they approached VCLF for a SPROUT loan to help refinance the mortgage. The loan helped preserve two jobs and created three new ones. anandagardens.com
Butterfly Bakery of Vermont, Montpelier (2 loans)
Claire Georges started Butterfly Bakery of Vermont in 2003 as a small natural foods bakery, eventually diversifying her product line with her artisanal hot sauces. A former VCLF borrower herself, Claire was approached last year by former VCLF borrower Fat Toad Farm, maker of award-winning goats’ milk caramel sauces, with an offer to sell their business to her. Claire returned to VCLF for help financing the purchase and renovation of her facility for caramel production. The loan preserves 18 jobs and is expected to create four new ones. butterflybakeryvt.com
Ismina Francois, Barre
Years ago, Ismina (Mina) Francois, rented an apartment through Downstreet Housing, a Central Vermont-based nonprofit developer of affordable housing and longtime VCLF partner. Today Mina is a small business owner and homeowner in Barre, who rents out an apartment unit within her home property. She recently purchased a second residential property in Barre to rent out to low-income Downstreet applicants, in appreciation of the organization’s work and mission. With a Vermont Housing Improvement Program grant in hand to renovate the structure to Downstreet’s code, she came to VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund loan to cover additional costs. The loan preserves one job.
Global Village Foods, White River Junction
Global Village Foods, owned by Melvin and Damaris Hall, produces ready-to-eat entrees, meals and snacks made with allergen-free, locally-sourced ingredients, inspired by the flavors of Damaris’ native Kenya. After contracting to service the University of Vermont’s dining halls, Mel and Damaris came to VCLF’s Justice Forward Fund for a loan to help purchase inventory and equipment to fulfill this obligation. The loan preserves three jobs. globalvillagefoods.com
Granite City Graphics, Barre (2 loans)
Granite City Graphics prints a variety of custom designs on clothing, signage, glasses and more. In recent years, a significant percentage of business has come via online retailers, resulting in substantial fees to GCG. Owner Travis Oakes has therefore decided to focus on more local and wholesale business, for which he’ll need specific equipment, advertising, and new hires. He came to VCLF to help finance these additions. The loan helps preserve two jobs and creates two new ones. Gcgvt.com
MamaSezz, Brattleboro
A web direct-to-consumer vegan food provider, MamaSezz ships prepared vegan meals and snacks nationwide. Growing significantly since their start in 2016, MamaSezz has outgrown their Keene, New Hampshire production partner/facility, and came to VCLF for help financing their transition to a new production partnership. Their offices and packaging recycling facility will remain in Vermont. The loan preserves 13 jobs. mamasezz.com
Moore Structure, Burlington
Ever since her very first catering job, Jaada Moore has been approached time and again about bringing her delicious catering to local events. She began working extra hours on top of her day job, catering weddings, corporate meetings and more, cooking from her friend’s kitchen since her own apartment lacked space and equipment. With increasing demand for her services, Jaada decided to start her own business. She approached VCLF for Justice Forward Fund financing to launch Moore Structure catering and events, renting and equipping a commercial kitchen, developing a website, and covering various licensing and registration costs. The loan preserves three jobs and creates 18 new ones.
Mo’s Kitchen, Burlington
Monique Simmons owns and operates Mo’s Kitchen catering, specializing in soul food with vegan options. Though demand for her delicious cooking has grown – since opening her business in 2021, she’s catered events for the Vermont National Guard, ArtsRiot, VCLF and major Vermont political fundraisers…but she’s had to turn down jobs due to a lack of equipment such as tables, buffet equipment, a smoker and more. Monique approached VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund loan to purchase equipment and provide working capital, allowing her to meet the growing demand for her catering. The loan preserves one job. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075206960469
My Favorite Things on Main Restaurant, Jeffersonville
My Favorite Things on Main started out as My Favorite Things Food Truck owned and operated by Lea Ann Macrery. Lea Ann borrowed from VCLF in 2019 to purchase the truck and help cover startup expenses. After two successful years, she sold the truck and opened My Favorite Things on Main, a 50+ seat restaurant in downtown Jeffersonville. She returned to VCLF to finance additional equipment including a food display case, industrial fryer, a steam table, plus two months of payroll expenses. The loan preserves three part-time jobs, which will expand to full-time by summer. facebook.com/myfavoritethingsvt
NEK Grains, Waterford
NEK Grains, owned by Shawn and Sara Gingue, produces wheat, barley, various small grains for wholesale custom order, and milled flour products. They also offer custom seeding of grasses, grains, and cover crops, plus beef and baked goods through two separate family-owned businesses. After borrowing from VCLF in 2021 to purchase grain storage silos and grain cleaning equipment, they scaled up production such that they now have a greater upfront capital need at the beginning of each cropping season. They returned to VCLF for a Food, Farms & Forests Fund loan to access additional working capital. The loan preserves one job. ginguefamilyfarm.com
The Flower Basket, Hardwick
Nora owns and runs Hardwick’s The Flower Basket florists, a former VCLF borrower. When a prime-location, multi-use building downtown, Nora, looking for a more accessible storefront, approached the Loan Fund to help finance the building’s purchase. She plans to rent out the building’s existing apartments and seven of its eight retail spaces, while The Flower Basket will make its new home in the final shop. The loan preserves three jobs. theflowerbasketvt.com
Spot Cash ATM, Lyndonville
David Bundrage, an entrepreneur and veteran, previously used a Justice Forward Fund loan to start up his snow removal business. In 2022, he started a second business, Spot Cash ATM, deploying ATMs in Vermont and New Hampshire retail locations that are cash-only or cash-preferred. He used the loan to purchase and install three cash machines. He’ll continue operating his snow removal business during the winter months. The loan creates one new job.
Up End This, Johnson
Michael Zebrowski, owner of Up End This, designs and constructs free-standing, ecologically-sustainable, ‘satellite’ structures for small footprint commercial and residential use. Since borrowing from VCLF in 2020, multiple clients have come to Michael, including the City of Burlington, which has contracted with him to create emergency homeless shelters. At this stage of growth, he returned to VCLF for a new loan to purchase machinery and equipment that will help contain costs and facilitate production. The loan preserves six jobs. upendthis.com
VT First Class Ride, South Burlington
After arriving in Vermont from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Adolphe Lumumba drove for Uber, where he came up with his business idea. Uber did not offer luxury transport in Vermont, and Adolphe discovered a demand for it among tourists, wedding and other parties, ski vacationers, corporate retreats and others. He first borrowed from VCLF’s Justice Forward Fund to purchase a luxury sprinter van for his business, and he returned in 2022 to purchase a large limousine van with capacity for up to 11 passengers, allowing him to book larger parties he couldn’t previously accommodate. The loan preserves one job. vtfirstclassride.com
Whirligig Brewing, St. Johnsbury
When Geoffrey Sewake’s long-planned opening of his Whirligig Brewing taproom and brewery coincided with the onset of COVID-19, it turned out that his canned specialty brews saved the day. When his taproom was temporarily shuttered due to the pandemic, Geoffrey’s canned brews became popular for curbside pick-up, convincing him to expand this aspect of his business. He came to VCLF for Justice Forward Fund financing to help purchase new equipment, barrels, and more. The loan helps preserve three jobs and creates one new one. whirligigbrewing.square.site
Early Care & Learning Lending
Georgia’s Next Generation, Georgia
Georgia’s Next Generation, a 5-STARS-rated program, serves 250 children and their families across six separate locations throughout Franklin and Chittenden Counties. When the lease on one of their locations was unexpectedly terminated, the owners found a new facility, and approached VCLF for financing to adapt the space for their use. The loan preserves 42 early care & learning slots and creates six new ones; eight jobs were preserved and one new job was created. nextgenerationvt.com
Inspired Minds Childcare, Essex
Ashley Norton has run Inspired Minds Childcare since 2015; last year, with plans to expand, Ashley approached VCLF for financing to transition from home-based program to a new center located in the bustling Essex Experience. The loan preserves care for 10 families, and capacity to serve 49 new ones; it also preserves one job and creates seven new ones.
Housing & Community Facilities Lending
East Calais Community Trust, East Calais
The East Calais Community Trust was created to rehabilitate the historic downtown historic General Store shuttered in 2019, returning it to its former glory and renovating three affordable apartments for rental upstairs. Previous VCLF loans were used for predevelopment costs including permitting and architectural planning. After two years of successful fundraising, ECCT returned to VCLF to round out their financing so construction could begin. The loan helps create five new jobs, and three affordable homes. eastcalaiscommunitytrust.org
In Tandem Arts, Burlington
In Tandem Arts provides arts education, theater productions, afterschool programs, workshops and more to inspire awareness and change related to social justice, climate change, and racial justice. Programs are available to students regardless of their ability to pay, with outreach directed largely to young people who have not had access to lessons or mentorship in the arts. The organization came to VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund loan to cover operating expenses for their 2022 and 2023 summer season programming. This loan preserves one job.intandemarts.com
Hartford Community Restorative Justice Center, White River Junction
HCRJC provides programs and services aimed at reducing recidivism and crime and increasing community safety in Windsor and Orange Counties. Programs include their Restorative Reentry Transitional Housing Program, which provides wrap-around reintegration services and safe, stable and affordable housing for people returning from incarceration. HCRJC came to VCLF for help financing the purchase of a three-unit house that will enable them to expand this program. The loan preserves three jobs and creates three affordable homes. hartfordjusticecenter.org
Montgomery Center for the Arts, Montgomery Center
The Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts art installations, creative workshops, performances, summer camps and more, from its home in a circa-1866 National Historic Landmark building in the town’s center. With programming halted during the pandemic, MCA’s Board of Directors focused on urgent updates to the building, for which they awarded a Preservation Trust of Vermont grant. An assessment determined that without restoration of the historic front-façade stained glass window the structure would continue to deteriorate, potentially leading to demolition. MCA came to VCLF for a bridge loan to windowed this work started, to be repaid upon receipt of grant funds. montgomerycenterforthearts.com
Rural Edge/St. Johnsbury Accessory Buildings, St. Johnsbury
Longtime VCLF partner RuralEdge creates and preserves safe, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in the Northeast Kingdom. They came to VCLF for help financing the rehabilitation of two downtown St. Johnsbury residential properties, to be redeveloped for homeless persons transitioning towards permanent housing and independent living. Properties, one of which is ADA compliant, The properties will provide wrap-around services to residents, and are within walking distance of groceries, healthcare and transportation services. The loan helps create seven affordable homes, and eight jobs. ruraledge.org
Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness, Barre
The Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness partners with shelter and service providers working toward all Vermonters having a safe, stable, affordable home, ensuring that those experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity and respect. They approached VCLF for a bridge loan to help cover expenses while they await grant award payments from US Department of Housing & Urban Development and the Vermont Department of Children and Families. The loan helps the organization serve 2,780 Vermonters annually, and preserves two jobs. helpingtohousevt.org
Marina Smith, owner of South Burlington’s plush, newly relocated Veilmonté Bridal Showroom, got her first exposure to bridal couture growing up in Moldova, where she helped out at her aunt’s bustling bridal gown factory. The memory of those custom-designed, sparkling gowns and veils stayed with her. “I always dreamed of owning a bridal shop,” she says.
After moving to the US in the early 2000s, Marina met her future husband, a native of Moldova living in Vermont. She settled in Chittenden County and into a job “that I didn’t really like.”
Not long after, she happened to hear of an available retail space in the Burlington Mall. It had ample room and high ceilings, “which you need for a bridal shop because the wedding dresses are so big, the brides need a lot of room to try them on,” Marina explains. It was, it seemed, the right space at the right time to open Veilmonté Bridal Showroom, featuring her aunt’s couture bridal line.
For months, Veilmonte saw a constant stream of brides…until the day that mall management suddenly terminated Marina’s lease. “They told me they were closing the mall permanently because of COVID and I had to go.”
Vermont's wedding industry is a widely recognized economic engine, estimated to bring $160 million to the state, annually. Marina’s shop not only provided fulltime work for herself; she regularly collaborated with venues, photographers, hairstylists, makeup artists, and more. She knew that Veilmonté’s closing would create a ‘ripple effect’ of lost work and income. She’d also spent countless hours and her own savings launch her shop. She wondered how, or even if, she could finance a new Veilmonté.
On the advice of Center for Women and Enterprise Executive Director (and VCLF Board Vice President!) Gwen Pokalo, Marina contacted the Loan Fund. “I’d never borrowed money for my business, and I felt nervous about borrowing from a bank. But VCLF helped me immediately,” Marina recounts.
She found a new location on Shelburne Road with high visibility (and even higher ceilings!). In September of 2022, Veilmonté Bridal Showroom officially re-opened, and the brides again began marching through her door.
Today, a chandelier casts soft light on the delicate pink showroom interiors. Racks of cloud-like gowns line the halls. “My customers tell me it’s so beautiful here, which is so important because this is a very special time for them,“ Marina says.
Brides and their parties are invited to visit by appointment only. “They’ll have this entire private space to themselves,” says Marina. For an additional fee, they can enjoy champagne and treats while perusing the rows of racks.
“I couldn’t have done this without the Loan Fund,” Marina says. “The Loan Fund helped me with so much. They even helped with my business plan.”
“A bank doesn’t necessarily want to help you with your business or learn about who you are. But with the Loan Fund, they looked more deeply into my needs. I felt like somebody had reached out their hand and saved me.” veilmontebride.com
In the second half of 2022, VCLF financing was also provided to:
Business Lending
Ananda Gardens, Montpelier
Ananda Gardens, established in 2016 by Melisa Oliva-Guzman and Patrick Sullivan, is a 33-acre vegetable farm. In 2021, the land surrounding their farm, including the private road vital to their deliveries and CSA member pick-ups, came on the market; Melisa and Patrick made purchase with an adjustable rate mortgage, but as interest rates began to climb, they approached VCLF for a SPROUT loan to help refinance the mortgage. The loan helped preserve two jobs and created three new ones. anandagardens.com
Butterfly Bakery of Vermont, Montpelier (2 loans)
Claire Georges started Butterfly Bakery of Vermont in 2003 as a small natural foods bakery, eventually diversifying her product line with her artisanal hot sauces. A former VCLF borrower herself, Claire was approached last year by former VCLF borrower Fat Toad Farm, maker of award-winning goats’ milk caramel sauces, with an offer to sell their business to her. Claire returned to VCLF for help financing the purchase and renovation of her facility for caramel production. The loan preserves 18 jobs and is expected to create four new ones. butterflybakeryvt.com
Ismina Francois, Barre
Years ago, Ismina (Mina) Francois, rented an apartment through Downstreet Housing, a Central Vermont-based nonprofit developer of affordable housing and longtime VCLF partner. Today Mina is a small business owner and homeowner in Barre, who rents out an apartment unit within her home property. She recently purchased a second residential property in Barre to rent out to low-income Downstreet applicants, in appreciation of the organization’s work and mission. With a Vermont Housing Improvement Program grant in hand to renovate the structure to Downstreet’s code, she came to VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund loan to cover additional costs. The loan preserves one job.
Global Village Foods, White River Junction
Global Village Foods, owned by Melvin and Damaris Hall, produces ready-to-eat entrees, meals and snacks made with allergen-free, locally-sourced ingredients, inspired by the flavors of Damaris’ native Kenya. After contracting to service the University of Vermont’s dining halls, Mel and Damaris came to VCLF’s Justice Forward Fund for a loan to help purchase inventory and equipment to fulfill this obligation. The loan preserves three jobs. globalvillagefoods.com
Granite City Graphics, Barre (2 loans)
Granite City Graphics prints a variety of custom designs on clothing, signage, glasses and more. In recent years, a significant percentage of business has come via online retailers, resulting in substantial fees to GCG. Owner Travis Oakes has therefore decided to focus on more local and wholesale business, for which he’ll need specific equipment, advertising, and new hires. He came to VCLF to help finance these additions. The loan helps preserve two jobs and creates two new ones. Gcgvt.com
MamaSezz, Brattleboro
A web direct-to-consumer vegan food provider, MamaSezz ships prepared vegan meals and snacks nationwide. Growing significantly since their start in 2016, MamaSezz has outgrown their Keene, New Hampshire production partner/facility, and came to VCLF for help financing their transition to a new production partnership. Their offices and packaging recycling facility will remain in Vermont. The loan preserves 13 jobs. mamasezz.com
Moore Structure, Burlington
Ever since her very first catering job, Jaada Moore has been approached time and again about bringing her delicious catering to local events. She began working extra hours on top of her day job, catering weddings, corporate meetings and more, cooking from her friend’s kitchen since her own apartment lacked space and equipment. With increasing demand for her services, Jaada decided to start her own business. She approached VCLF for Justice Forward Fund financing to launch Moore Structure catering and events, renting and equipping a commercial kitchen, developing a website, and covering various licensing and registration costs. The loan preserves three jobs and creates 18 new ones.
Mo’s Kitchen, Burlington
Monique Simmons owns and operates Mo’s Kitchen catering, specializing in soul food with vegan options. Though demand for her delicious cooking has grown – since opening her business in 2021, she’s catered events for the Vermont National Guard, ArtsRiot, VCLF and major Vermont political fundraisers…but she’s had to turn down jobs due to a lack of equipment such as tables, buffet equipment, a smoker and more. Monique approached VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund loan to purchase equipment and provide working capital, allowing her to meet the growing demand for her catering. The loan preserves one job. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075206960469
My Favorite Things on Main Restaurant, Jeffersonville
My Favorite Things on Main started out as My Favorite Things Food Truck owned and operated by Lea Ann Macrery. Lea Ann borrowed from VCLF in 2019 to purchase the truck and help cover startup expenses. After two successful years, she sold the truck and opened My Favorite Things on Main, a 50+ seat restaurant in downtown Jeffersonville. She returned to VCLF to finance additional equipment including a food display case, industrial fryer, a steam table, plus two months of payroll expenses. The loan preserves three part-time jobs, which will expand to full-time by summer. facebook.com/myfavoritethingsvt
NEK Grains, Waterford
NEK Grains, owned by Shawn and Sara Gingue, produces wheat, barley, various small grains for wholesale custom order, and milled flour products. They also offer custom seeding of grasses, grains, and cover crops, plus beef and baked goods through two separate family-owned businesses. After borrowing from VCLF in 2021 to purchase grain storage silos and grain cleaning equipment, they scaled up production such that they now have a greater upfront capital need at the beginning of each cropping season. They returned to VCLF for a Food, Farms & Forests Fund loan to access additional working capital. The loan preserves one job. ginguefamilyfarm.com
The Flower Basket, Hardwick
Nora owns and runs Hardwick’s The Flower Basket florists, a former VCLF borrower. When a prime-location, multi-use building downtown, Nora, looking for a more accessible storefront, approached the Loan Fund to help finance the building’s purchase. She plans to rent out the building’s existing apartments and seven of its eight retail spaces, while The Flower Basket will make its new home in the final shop. The loan preserves three jobs. theflowerbasketvt.com
Spot Cash ATM, Lyndonville
David Bundrage, an entrepreneur and veteran, previously used a Justice Forward Fund loan to start up his snow removal business. In 2022, he started a second business, Spot Cash ATM, deploying ATMs in Vermont and New Hampshire retail locations that are cash-only or cash-preferred. He used the loan to purchase and install three cash machines. He’ll continue operating his snow removal business during the winter months. The loan creates one new job.
Up End This, Johnson
Michael Zebrowski, owner of Up End This, designs and constructs free-standing, ecologically-sustainable, ‘satellite’ structures for small footprint commercial and residential use. Since borrowing from VCLF in 2020, multiple clients have come to Michael, including the City of Burlington, which has contracted with him to create emergency homeless shelters. At this stage of growth, he returned to VCLF for a new loan to purchase machinery and equipment that will help contain costs and facilitate production. The loan preserves six jobs. upendthis.com
VT First Class Ride, South Burlington
After arriving in Vermont from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Adolphe Lumumba drove for Uber, where he came up with his business idea. Uber did not offer luxury transport in Vermont, and Adolphe discovered a demand for it among tourists, wedding and other parties, ski vacationers, corporate retreats and others. He first borrowed from VCLF’s Justice Forward Fund to purchase a luxury sprinter van for his business, and he returned in 2022 to purchase a large limousine van with capacity for up to 11 passengers, allowing him to book larger parties he couldn’t previously accommodate. The loan preserves one job. vtfirstclassride.com
Whirligig Brewing, St. Johnsbury
When Geoffrey Sewake’s long-planned opening of his Whirligig Brewing taproom and brewery coincided with the onset of COVID-19, it turned out that his canned specialty brews saved the day. When his taproom was temporarily shuttered due to the pandemic, Geoffrey’s canned brews became popular for curbside pick-up, convincing him to expand this aspect of his business. He came to VCLF for Justice Forward Fund financing to help purchase new equipment, barrels, and more. The loan helps preserve three jobs and creates one new one. whirligigbrewing.square.site
Early Care & Learning Lending
Georgia’s Next Generation, Georgia
Georgia’s Next Generation, a 5-STARS-rated program, serves 250 children and their families across six separate locations throughout Franklin and Chittenden Counties. When the lease on one of their locations was unexpectedly terminated, the owners found a new facility, and approached VCLF for financing to adapt the space for their use. The loan preserves 42 early care & learning slots and creates six new ones; eight jobs were preserved and one new job was created. nextgenerationvt.com
Inspired Minds Childcare, Essex
Ashley Norton has run Inspired Minds Childcare since 2015; last year, with plans to expand, Ashley approached VCLF for financing to transition from home-based program to a new center located in the bustling Essex Experience. The loan preserves care for 10 families, and capacity to serve 49 new ones; it also preserves one job and creates seven new ones.
Housing & Community Facilities Lending
East Calais Community Trust, East Calais
The East Calais Community Trust was created to rehabilitate the historic downtown historic General Store shuttered in 2019, returning it to its former glory and renovating three affordable apartments for rental upstairs. Previous VCLF loans were used for predevelopment costs including permitting and architectural planning. After two years of successful fundraising, ECCT returned to VCLF to round out their financing so construction could begin. The loan helps create five new jobs, and three affordable homes. eastcalaiscommunitytrust.org
In Tandem Arts, Burlington
In Tandem Arts provides arts education, theater productions, afterschool programs, workshops and more to inspire awareness and change related to social justice, climate change, and racial justice. Programs are available to students regardless of their ability to pay, with outreach directed largely to young people who have not had access to lessons or mentorship in the arts. The organization came to VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund loan to cover operating expenses for their 2022 and 2023 summer season programming. This loan preserves one job.intandemarts.com
Hartford Community Restorative Justice Center, White River Junction
HCRJC provides programs and services aimed at reducing recidivism and crime and increasing community safety in Windsor and Orange Counties. Programs include their Restorative Reentry Transitional Housing Program, which provides wrap-around reintegration services and safe, stable and affordable housing for people returning from incarceration. HCRJC came to VCLF for help financing the purchase of a three-unit house that will enable them to expand this program. The loan preserves three jobs and creates three affordable homes. hartfordjusticecenter.org
Montgomery Center for the Arts, Montgomery Center
The Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts art installations, creative workshops, performances, summer camps and more, from its home in a circa-1866 National Historic Landmark building in the town’s center. With programming halted during the pandemic, MCA’s Board of Directors focused on urgent updates to the building, for which they awarded a Preservation Trust of Vermont grant. An assessment determined that without restoration of the historic front-façade stained glass window the structure would continue to deteriorate, potentially leading to demolition. MCA came to VCLF for a bridge loan to windowed this work started, to be repaid upon receipt of grant funds. montgomerycenterforthearts.com
Rural Edge/St. Johnsbury Accessory Buildings, St. Johnsbury
Longtime VCLF partner RuralEdge creates and preserves safe, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in the Northeast Kingdom. They came to VCLF for help financing the rehabilitation of two downtown St. Johnsbury residential properties, to be redeveloped for homeless persons transitioning towards permanent housing and independent living. Properties, one of which is ADA compliant, The properties will provide wrap-around services to residents, and are within walking distance of groceries, healthcare and transportation services. The loan helps create seven affordable homes, and eight jobs. ruraledge.org
Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness, Barre
The Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness partners with shelter and service providers working toward all Vermonters having a safe, stable, affordable home, ensuring that those experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity and respect. They approached VCLF for a bridge loan to help cover expenses while they await grant award payments from US Department of Housing & Urban Development and the Vermont Department of Children and Families. The loan helps the organization serve 2,780 Vermonters annually, and preserves two jobs. helpingtohousevt.org