Castleton University Awarded $130,000 Grant from State of Vermont

Castleton, VT (09/18/2019) — Gov. Phil Scott recently joined local, state, and federal partners to announce more than $2.7 million in community development grants to 10 communities throughout Vermont, including the Town of Castleton in partnership with Castleton University.

Castleton University was awarded a $130,000 subgrant through the Town of Castleton to assist with the development of the Early Childhood Lab, a public childcare center that will be located on the Castleton University campus.

The Early Childhood Lab will be located in the current President's House, and funds from the grant will be used to renovate the building to turn it into a first-rate learning lab and childcare center, as well as to create an outdoor playground.

Castleton University President Dr. Karen M. Scolforo will move into a smaller cottage on campus in January, where she will stay until renovations to another home on campus - which will serve Castleton presidents for years to come - are completed. Renovations to the new Early Childhood Lab will commence in January, with a target opening date of July 1, 2020.

"The Early Childhood Lab at Castleton University will address several critical needs throughout the state, including a lack of quality childcare providers and early childhood educators in our region," President Scolforo said. "This grant will help us serve a number of low-income families in our region, as well as continue to grow Vermont's workforce."

The Early Childhood Lab will eventually serve as a hands-on learning center for students in the University's newly-launched Early Childhood and Special Education academic program.

The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development awards approximately $7 million in competitive grants to Vermont cities and towns, targeted to address the needs of low-income Vermonters. The grants are funded through the federal Community Development Block Program.

"These grants allow a community to identify its own needs and work with partners to make it happen, which is an approach that makes a lot of sense and has been successful," Scott said. "Through new housing, improved infrastructure, restored historic buildings and greater support services to the most vulnerable families, these grants strengthen Vermont's communities, and when paired with local tax incentives generate economic activity to help them grow."