Latest News - June 2021

CDFA Awards Gale School Project

Pictured (L to R): Katy Easterly Martey, Executive Director, CDFA, Carmen Lorentz, Executive Director, Lakes Region Community Developers, and Caitlin Meaney, Resource Development Director, Lakes Region Community Developers

The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) announced that it has awarded $750,000 in tax credits to our Gale School Redevelopment Project, which will transform the historic property into a vibrant community facility housing a childcare center operated by the Boys & Girls Club of Central NH and a program center operated by Lakes Region Community Services.

This award is in the form of tax equity. New Hampshire businesses can support our project by purchasing the tax credits - we receive a donation for the Gale School projects and the company receives a state tax credit worth 75 percent of their contribution. The credit can be applied against the Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, or Insurance Premium. Please contact Carmen Lorentz at [email protected] or at 603.524.0747 ext. 110 for more information.

The Gale School Redevelopment Project will require multiple funding sources. We are grateful to CDFA for this Tax Credit award and their support of this project.

Community Building - Gardens

Vegetable gardens have "sprouted up" at LRCD's Batchelder Apartments and River's Edge Apartments, thanks to a partnership with the Belknap County Conservation District and a generous grant from the Bank of New Hampshire. New raised bed gardens were created and planted over the last few weeks with the help of residents, staff and volunteers. Residents added soil to the raised beds and planted their choice of vegetables. Raised bed planters offer easy access for older residents and those using wheelchairs. "Everyone had a great time getting the planters ready and deciding what they wanted to grow. Giving communities access to grow their own food is important", said Lisa Morin, Program Coordinator for the Belknap County Conservation District (BCCD).

LRCD is grateful to BCCD for providing the garden beds and funds to give our residents access to healthy foods and the healthy activity of gardening.

Harriman Hill Apartments in Wolfeboro

The new garden at Harriman Hill in Wolfeboro was a big hit last summer, so residents there asked for supplies to build two more raised beds this year. They constructed those in May. LRCD provided funds for residents to buy vegetable plants. Their four raised garden beds are growing lots of healthy vegetables. The garden crew decided that produce from the garden in available to any resident at Harriman Hill.

Finishing Touch at Ames Brook

The final piece of the renovation at Ames Brook Apartments in Ashland was installed. We completed the $5 million renovation project in September 2020. In past years and especially this year, via the Community Survey, residents have expressed a great desire for more community events and spaces to hold them. The new gazebo at Ames Brook will become a central gathering space for the 40-unit community.

REDI - Little Free Libraries & Reading in Color

In 2020, LRCD began the process of reviewing our policies, practices, and programs to identify changes that we can make to combat systemic racism and promote race equity, diversity, and inclusion. This is an ongoing process of continuous learning and improvement. In this segment of our newsletter, we will provide regular updates on this work.

Lakes Region Community Developers brought two Little Free Libraries to Harriman Hill Apartments in Wolfeboro. Little Free Library's vision is that there is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. They believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege. LRCD agrees! We want all our residents young and old to have access to great books.

We have stocked the libraries with books from the Little Free Library Read in Color list. Read in Color books provide perspectives on racism and social justice; celebrate BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized voices; and incorporate experiences from all identities for all readers.

There will be more Little Free Libraries popping up at LRCD properties soon.