From left: Leeanna Wilbur, Ellen Oppenheim, Julie Steinberg, Zach Lehman and Michelle Laliberte at August 30th Rangeley Childcare Center Groundbreaking. Stephanie Dellavalle

RANGELEY — On the morning of August 30, off Loon Lake Road, adjacent to Rangeley Lakes Regional School (RLRS), more than 50 people, consisting of board members of the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children, family members of Beth Brunswick, local city and state representatives and collaborators and supporters of the Rangeley Childcare Center, came out to celebrate the groundbreaking at the future site of the Rangeley Childcare Center.

While there is a last push for the remaining funds needed of $320k, the construction is scheduled to begin Oct. 1, with completion and opening in less than a year.

“This has really been an example of a true public private effort. I’m so proud of all the federal, state and local agencies and the many area businesses and individuals who have supported our project. Two years ago, this was just a concept, and here we are. It’s truly incredible,” said Ellen Oppenheim, Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund board chair.

Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children and helpers break ground at the future site of the Rangeley Childcare Center. Stephanie Dellavalle

“The impact of this new facility will provide adequate daycare slots for the Rangeley community. It will help parents reenter the workforce when they’re ready to do so. The center itself will produce additional quality jobs for the community. It will have an economic impact that is far reaching. It will assist many that could not find available quality daycare and will provide an opportunity for many to go back into the workforce.

“And it will assist in attracting young families into the community and ultimately into the workforce. As it was expressed in an open letter from the board of Selectman earlier this year, the Town of Rangely supports the endeavors of the group,” said Rangeley Town Manager Joe Roach.

Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children Secretary and Treasurer Leeanna Wilbur, offered background on how the project first began.

“Our dear friend Beth Brunswick was a champion of the Rangeley area. She worked for many, many years on nonprofit boards to bring much needed services to this area. When she got ill, her dedication never waned. In the months prior to her passing, she had many, many conversations with her friends and family relatives, about her dreams, her hopes for what Rangely needed.

“She recognized the need for additional affordable childcare spaces. This left a huge hole in the tapestry of what made Rangeley so special. She so very much wanted to see a place where children could be taken care of. Where they could thrive and learn. She wanted to see parents that didn’t need to make a hard choice between working or having to stay home due to the lack of childcare availability. She loved this community, this area and the children. Her life of dedication to this community is nothing but amazing. After her passing, as her friends and people who loved her, we took that challenge on, to make her last dream come true.

“Many people donated at her passing and those funds became the catalyst for this project. Beth was a planner and always reviewed, thought about, evaluated and then moved forward. Following that template, so did we. We evaluated the needs. We did surveys. We discussed with local partners and players. We did statistical reviews, and we came to the same conclusion. Many conversations and public meetings were held, and the need was very clear. We reviewed the local comprehensive plan, the state of Maine strategics plan and we watched the federal government to see what they were doing and saying about childcare.

“All aspects pointed to the need to expand childcare and availability in Rangeley. Exactly what Beth had challenged us to do. The state of Maine Strategic Plan focuses on what we call the three pillars of a healthy town and a healthy state. Health and Wellness opportunities, workforce housing and childcare. We see this project not only meeting the unmet needs for affordable childcare, but as a way to expand our workforce in our community. All businesses are struggling to find workers. Instead of growing and adding more services or more products, they have to limit their hours of operation and that causes a huge problem in a tourist based economy.

“Many workers come from our nearby towns and our hope is that with additional affordable daycare services here, we can bring even more people to work here and live. We want parents to make healthy, safe choices about their work opportunities. Right now, the decision is a twofold one. 1: Structure your work hours around your spouse to allow for childcare services. This takes away from the family unit and is not always accomplished in the best way. Or 2: Have a one family income, which is not always viable. You can’t always live on just one income. Much time and work has been done to get this project to date.

“As Ellen listed, the groups of organizations and people that have helped us to this point are absolutely outstanding. Thanks to grants from the state of Maine’s congressional direct spending and the Northern Borders Regional Commission, we have been able to secure a total of $2,000,000. Local and regional foundations have been extremely generous. Private philanthropy, again generous, and to date we’ve raised $1.2 million there. (Totaling) $3.2 million. We still have much to accomplish and more fundraising to complete but we are well on our way to bringing this project to completion. “We would welcome anyone who has input or guidance as we continue along the pathway,” said Wilbur.

Large turnout at the Rangeley Childcare Center groundbreaking on August 30. Stephanie Dellavalle.

Wilbur also spoke on behalf of Vice Chairman George Bernstein who she said had intended to draw attention to the work of Governor Mills and her commitment to childcare and support of the establishment of the Rangeley Childcare Center.

“Over the past three years, the Mills administration has provided more than $100 million in federal funding for childcare. Through her Maine jobs and recovery plan approved by the legislature, Governor Mills is investing $15,000,000 to help renovate, expand and build new childcare facilities, of which we were successful in getting $250,000. Huge. According to Governor Mills, early childcare programs prepare Maine kids for bright, healthy futures and help parents stay in the workforce. The federal grant will build in significantly. Work from her administration is going to expand the availability of crucial programs along with much needed childcare and pre-K options across the state. Strengthening Maine’s early childhood system is good for children’s working families and our economy,” said Wilbur.

Wilbur also mentioned the Childcare Affordability Program (CAP).

“A benefit from the state that will enable parents to reduce their out of pocket cost for childcare. This benefit is designed to be an economic driver for our communities and to assist working Mainers with the cost of childcare. “We will be providing professional and confidential assistance with the required documentation to allow families to access this program and bring access to this amazing service,” said Wilbur.

On behalf of Senator Angus King, Ben Tucker regional representative, praised the bipartisan community effort.

“Angus says the following and he’s said it a good many times,” said Tucker. “‘It’s an interesting thing about people from America and people from Maine. When there’s trouble or the community needs help, Americans and Mainers don’t run and hide. They run toward the problem and say, ‘What can we do to help?’ This day and the people that are here and the people that came before are perfect examples of that.

“I’ve worked for the senator for going on 13 years and one of the things that I find refreshing about today, days like today, is that for one brief shining moment, in a country that’s divided so vehemently; families are divided, neighbors are divided, friends are divided. For one brief moment, we’re all Americans here today. Nobody’s a conservative. Nobody’s a liberal. Nobody’s a Trumper. Nobody’s a somebody for Biden. Nobody’s anything other than American. So, we need to celebrate these moments because increasingly they’re not as common as they used to be,” said Tucker to the applauding crowd.

Zach Lehman, spoke about the influence his cousin, Beth Brunswick, had, and will continue to have on the Rangeley community.

“Just to get a sense of the overall impact. Raise your hand if you’re related to Beth Brunswick. Keep your hands up. Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a meal with Beth Brunswick. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to a concert in Rangeley that was hosted by Beth Brunswick. Raise your hand if you’ve ever walked into Rangeley with Beth Brunswick. Right. By now I think pretty much everyone’s hands are up. And if you’re a youngster here, soon you’ll be raising your hand because you’ll have the privilege of being part of that legacy that Beth shared with all of us.”

The heartfelt sentiment was amplified by the closing words of Beth Brunswick’s sister, Julie Steinberg.

“Thank you all for coming. Thank you all for contributing. It means the world to our family. We all would have liked for her to be here,” said Steinberg, who referred to the project as “Beth’s dream, her happy place.”

If you would like to donate, or for more information, you may visit the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children website: bethbrunswickmemorialfund.org.

A graphic building elevation depiction of the future Rangeley Childcare Center.