I just came back from a NeighborWorks America Symposium in Washington, DC focused on how non-profit community developers are starting social enterprises that contribute to their mission and help them diversify their revenue streams. One organization started their own construction company to rehab houses for low-income families. Another turned an abandoned textile mill into an event and conference center with a food incubator attached, and in just three years was able to start generating a profit on the facility, 100% of which is used to support the operations of the organization.
 
As we start a new year, Lakes Region Community Developers is eager to work with local partners to figure out what types of social enterprises could be started here to meet the needs of working families in the Lakes Region. We are excited to expand our work beyond developing and managing affordable rental housing because we see so many opportunities to help the Lakes Region thrive. We want to build affordable starter homes for young families and develop vibrant community facilities that can house affordable childcare, health and wellness programming, workforce initiatives, and other services that we need here in the Lakes Region.
 
Thank you for your support as we find new ways to serve the Lakes Region. We wish you all the best this holiday season!
 
Carmen R. Lorentz
 
PS – You can contribute to our work by making an online donation here. Thank you!

Early this fall we began working with the local marketing firm, JMG Marketing, to create a new look to go with our new name and expanded mission. We will start to use our new name and logo on all our marketing materials in 2018.

We are turning 25!  A celebration marking this milestone will be held at the Belknap Mill on Thursday, April 12th from 5pm to 7pm.

2018 will mark the 25th year since developing our first affordable housing project in Laconia. In that 25 years we have provided affordable housing to over 2,000 neighbors of modest means, had 73 families graduate from our Transitional Housing program, and built a $46 million real estate portfolio comprising of 341 apartments.

We hope you mark your calendars to come celebrate and look ahead to the next 25 years with us.

Winter is here! Consider using non-toxic de-icing substances when those stairs are icy. Clean clay cat litter, sand, or fireplace/stove ash are options to prevent hazardous  chemicals from leaching into the ground. Chemical de-icers can be hazardous to your pets, your trees and shrubs, and the environment. They polluting surface waters and groundwater through the soil.  Other alternative options can be found on the EPA's Safer Choice page https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/products.

So many of you have already sent in your renewals - thank you so much! With the help of our membership, we’ve built housing and created life changing opportunities for 24 years.

If you have not renewed please consider helping us again to provide wonderful, affordable places to live to those who so urgently need it.  We hope you’ll take some time today and renew.

You should have received your renewal reminder in the mail. You can also click here to renew your membership and make your payment online. If you have any questions about membership or giving to LACLT, please contact Resource Development Director Caitlin Meaney at [email protected] or 603.524.0747 ext. 108.

The Land Trust celebrated 24 years of service at our annual meeting on October 18th. There were some major items on the agenda, including a proposed name change to Lakes Region Community Developers and some significant revisions to the by-laws. Both proposals were put forth by the Board of Directors in order to position the organization for success in pursuing the goals in our new strategic plan. The proposed changes were adopted unanimously by the members present at the meeting.
 
Members approved the following volunteers for a first term on the Board of Directors, to expire in October of 2020:

• Peg Colburn
• Megan Fairbanks
• Ben Wilson

See Peg's, Megan's, Ben's profiles below.
 
Members approved the following Directors for a second term, to expire in October 2020:

• Ashley Davis
• Frances Strayer
• Erin Weller

 
Following the Annual Membership Meeting, the Board of Directors conducted their annual business meeting and re-elected the following officers:

• Jason Hicks, Chair
• Frances Strayer, Vice Chair
• Geoff Ruggles, Treasurer
• Caitlin McCurdy, Secretary

Last week, we made presentations to Laconia Rotary, Gilford Rotary, and the Winnipesaukee Public Health Council about our expanded mission, new name, and new strategic plan. These conversations generated suggestions of properties that we should look at as we start to pursue other types of real estate development. We also got some great feedback regarding partnerships that could support our goal to expand our community building and engagement programming.
 
These productive interactions prompted me to wonder: what other great ideas are out there in the community? I thought that we should put the question out to all of you, our valued supporters. If you have an idea, are aware of a property about to go on the market, or you have a contact that could help us pursue the new goals in our strategic plan, please contact me at [email protected] or (603) 524-0747 ext 110.
 
We greatly appreciate the financial support that many of you give to this organization. We also value the collective wisdom and vast network that you possess. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!

The Board of Directors has gained three new Board Members. Peg Colburn, Megan Fairbanks, and Ben Wilson were approved for a first term that will expire in October of 2020. Their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge are welcomed additions to the Board.

Peg Colburn
Peg is one of the tenant representatives on our Board of Directors. She moved into our new River’s Edge Apartments on Union Ave in Laconia in September 2016. Peg worked as the accounting manager at Rivco in Penacook for 24 years before retiring in 1986. Peg and her husband Ken raised their four children in Andover and Penacook and were members of many local organizations. Ken passed away in 2011 after battling cancer. His illness was difficult to manage financially, so Peg decided to sell their family home and find herself an apartment near her daughter’s house in Laconia that she liked and could afford on her fixed income. Peg said about River’s Edge and the Land Trust, “This is not just an apartment to rent – we do so much more than that. The Resident Services program at the Land Trust has been helpful to me and I wanted to serve on the Board so that I can help my neighbors, the people I see in this building every day. We are a community.”

Megan Fairbanks
Megan is also a tenant representative on our Board. She and her family have lived at our Pinecrest Apartments in Meredith since 2009. Megan is a proud mom of four beautiful children who keep her very busy! Megan graduated from Plymouth State University in 2007 with a degree in early childhood education. As soon as her twin boys, age 3, are in kindergarten, Megan plans to work in one of our local schools. Prior to starting her family, Megan worked as an assistant teacher at Laconia Head Start. Megan and her family enjoy the outdoors and taking trips to the ocean. When asked why she chose to serve on the Land Trust’s Board, Megan said, “I joined to learn more about the projects that the Land Trust is involved with and to be a voice for all the tenants at Pinecrest.”

Ben Wilson
Ben has been a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones for the past eight years. Ben grew up in Texas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005 with a history degree. After college, he pursued a career in the finance sector after being inspired by one of his grandfathers who was a stockbroker. Ben started his practice with Edward Jones in 2009 in the Portland, Maine area. He moved to the Lakes Region in 2012 to take over the Edward Jones office in Laconia. Ben and his wife Heather are currently building their dream home in Sanbornton, where they are active in their church. Ben had this to say about joining the Land Trust board, “I really like the idea of being able to have a hand in the development and advancement of this community.”

For other Board Member profiles click here.

Going Vertical! Construction of Gilford Village Knolls III (GVK III) is underway. The foundation is complete. Framing and building of the elevator shaft has begun. The project is on schedule and is due to be completed in summer 2018.

GVK III will feature 24 one-bedroom affordable senior apartments, a community room, on-site resident services, laundry, and recycling. GVK III will also be the first affordable housing project in New Hampshire to meet the Passive House standards. Through intelligent design, the 5 Passive House principles (thermal bridge free design, superior windows, ventilation with heat recovery, quality insulation, and airtight construction) will be met.

For questions regarding GVK III’s waiting list please contact Julia Moore at Stewart Property Management. She can be reached at 603.524.6673 or via email at [email protected]

The 2nd Annual Putt Putt Tournament presented by Meredith Village Savings Bank to benefit LACLT was a great success!
 
Beautiful weather, yummy food, and fun brought out 80 players and raised $10,000. Proceeds have gone to help LACLT’s Housing Development, Resident Services, Transitional Services and Housing for Homeless Families, and day camp scholarships for young residents.
 
A huge thanks to our sponsors, participants, raffle prize donors, host Pirate’s Cove, and The Common Man Restaurants/Tilt’n Diner, and The Great American Restaurants for the delicious lunch.

For pictures from the day click here.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors!

Thank you to our Tee Sponsors

We would like to thank all our members who have already taken the time to renew their support this year. With the help of our membership, we’ve built housing and created life changing opportunities for 24 years.

The only way we can carry out our mission is with the help of caring community members like you.  Please help us again to provide wonderful, affordable places to live to those who so urgently need it.  We hope you’ll take some time today and renew.

You should have received your renewal reminder in the mail. You can also click here to renew your membership and make your payment online. If you have any questions about membership or giving to LACLT, please contact Resource Development Director Caitlin Meaney at [email protected] or 603.524.0747 ext. 108.

Every fall it’s time to celebrate! No, not Halloween or Thanksgiving (though those are great, too) - it’s America Recycles Day!

America Recycles Day (ARD) is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. What is is? Since 1997, every year on and around Nov. 15, thousands of local event organizers mobilize throughout their community to educate people about recycling.

Wondering how to get involved in America Recycles Day?  Go to https://americarecyclesday.org/ to find out more. Happy recycling!

TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank® awarded the Laconia Area Community Land Trust (LACLT) a $10,000 contribution to support its affordable housing development.

“We believe that organizations such as LACLT’s play a significant role in sustaining vibrant and thriving communities,” said Steve Webb, Market President for TD Bank.  “The TD Charitable Foundation carries a legacy of supporting not-for-profit institutions and their important work throughout our region and Laconia Area Community Land Trust is a true partner in this work.”

The goal of LACLT’s Housing Development Program is to increase the supply of high-quality, permanently affordable housing available to the Laconia community and surrounding towns. LACLT’s apartments are rented to low- and moderate-income families at below market rents.  LACLT apartments are currently home to 535 adults and children; over 2,500 people have been housed to date.

Laconia Area Community Land Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a member of  NeighborWorks® America, and is supported in part by membership donations and the Lakes Region United Way. Its mission is to assist low and moderate income families achieve economic self-sufficiency through the development of permanently affordable housing opportunities and associated support programs.  For more information about LACLT and its programs, call 603-524-0747, or visit www.laclt.org.
 
A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank® and the TD Charitable Foundation provide support to affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families.
                                                                             
About the TD Charitable Foundation
The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank N.A., which operates as TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, and is one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation's mission is to serve the individuals, families and businesses in all the communities where TD Bank operates, having made more than $159.8  million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002. The Foundation’s areas of focus are affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and the environment. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at www.TDBank.com.
 
About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.
 
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com.