The Rangeley community came together Sept. 27, to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting and dedication of the new Rangeley Child Care Center, 85 Loon Lake Road, a much-needed facility that promises to serve families in the area. The event was marked by heartfelt speeches, commendations, and a sense of pride in achieving a significant milestone for enhancing early childhood education in the Rangeley region.

The building was dedicated to the late Beth Brunswick, champion of the Rangeley community, whose last wish included the creation of a curriculum-based child care center to serve the town’s children and prepare them for a lifetime of learning.

The Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children, a 501c3 organization, raised $3.6 million to fund land purchase, construction, furnishings and startup costs for the Rangeley Child Care Center.

Groundbreaking for the project took place in August 2023. Construction on the 4,986-square-foot building began in March.

The center, adjacent to Rangeley Lakes Regional School, will accommodate 74 children aged six weeks through elementary. The center’s curriculum will align with that of the school to allow for a smooth transition.

“The past three years have been a heavy lift, with all the rules and regulations around building and operating a child care center. But our team has worked hard to make Beth’s vision a reality, and to provide this much needed service for the town of Rangeley. We look forward to improved school performance and a more robust work force as two positive outcomes of this effort,” said Ellen Oppenheim, president of the board of directors.

Esther Evergreen, executive director of the new facility, said, “Today isn’t just about cutting a ribbon. It’s about opening a door — to opportunity, to growth, and to a space where children are nurtured, families are supported, and educators are empowered.”

Further, she praised Community Concepts, Inc., “whose partnership has been instrumental in bringing this center to life.”

Evergreen has a strong background in early childhood education.

Speakers highlighted the successful collaboration between public and private partners that made the project possible. Local officials praised the combined effort that brought the vision of a modern, accessible child care facility to fruition, emphasizing that it is a true asset that will enable the twin objectives of school readiness and economic development.

George Bernstein, vice president of the board of directors, explained that the focus of this effort is to provide high quality and affordable child care to everyone in the region. In Maine, the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) assists families with tuition costs on a sliding scale depending on household size and income.

The CCAP program has become so popular that it now has a five month wait list for families to receive the benefit. To that end, Bernstein explained that the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children Board of Directors has secured over $500,000 to support tuition for area families who qualify for CCAP while they are on the wait list, enabling them to reenter the work force, school, or job training without delay. This funding was secured from philanthropic donors.

Bernstein, who has had decades of experience in the child care industry, said, “This center rivals the best center anywhere in the country.”

Letters of support from prominent figures across the state and federal levels underscored the importance of this project. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, Gov. Janet Mills, and USDA Regional Director John Butera all expressed their strong support through thoughtful messages of encouragement and congratulations.

The ceremony also recognized the outstanding work of HE Callahan, the contractor responsible for the construction. Despite facing numerous obstacles — including unpredictable weather and other unforeseen challenges — the team successfully completed the project on time and within budget.

Leeanna Wilbur, treasurer of the board of directors and the board’s project manager for Rangeley Child Care Center, praised the crew’s resilience and dedication, noting that they managed to overcome “everything mother nature could throw at us.”

Wilbur thanked the Northern Borders Regional Commission and the USDA for substantial contributions to the project ($1,000,000 grant from NBRC, and $750,000 from a Congressionally Directed Spending grant which was administered by USDA). In addition, the Maine Child Care infrastructure Act provided a grant of $250,000 administered by CEI, Inc.

The Rangeley Child Care Center plans to open in October, pending licensing, staff hiring and training. Enrollment applications are being accepted at [email protected], and staff positions are available- please inquire at [email protected]. Other inquiries may be sent to [email protected].