VCLF Lends More Than $8 Million in First Half of 2025 | |
From family farms and food trucks to affordable housing and early childhood education, the Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) financed more than $8 million in mission-driven lending across the state in the first half of 2025.
These investments reflect VCLF’s commitment to create a just and thriving Vermont by supporting entrepreneurs, preserving and creating affordable housing, improving community infrastructure, and expanding access to essential services such as childcare and mental health.
“We’re grateful to support Vermonters across the state at a time when flexible, supportive financing is needed more than ever,” said Executive Director Will Belongia. “The way we create a stronger, more resilient Vermont is by investing in its people. Thanks to the impact investors and donors who make our work possible, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
| | Three Mountain Cafe, Waitsfield | | |
Professional chef Kayla Kenney and Nicholas Bradley purchased longtime Mad River Valley favorite, Three Mountain Café. With support from VCLF, they are continuing the café’s popular coffee and pastry service while expanding catering offerings and creating community events. The loan helped to preserve five local jobs, creates one new position, and supports a woman-owned business.
Visit Three Mountain for specialty espresso drinks, homemade pastries, breakfast sandwiches, soups, lunch specials, and more. Watch a recent video highlight of the cafe on our Instagram.
| | A recent home built by students in the Building Trades program at Harford Area Career and Technology Center. | | |
Our Career Technical Education (CTE) Construction & Rehabilitation Revolving Loan Fund provides zero-interest, no-fee, partially forgivable loans (up to $650,000) to any of the state’s 17 CTE centers and their partners. It supports hands-on student training in building and rehabilitating affordable housing, community facilities, and commercial projects—simultaneously growing workforce skills, creating affordable homes, and uplifting communities.
CTE Loan Program Manager, Kath James, recently visited some of the current projects.
| | Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Zach Watson, in front of a home in Barre being transformed from a blighted property to a new, energy efficient, two-bedroom single-family home. Students from the Central Vermont Career Center actively participated in the build, learning hands on skills in the process. | |  | With funding from VCLF and in partnership with Homes First, students in the Construction Technology program at the Patricia Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury are building a 30x8 tiny home on wheels. Led by instructor Nick Cantrick, the two-year project gives students real-world construction experience while creating sustainable, affordable housing for a local resident. | | | | |
In June, our lending team held a webinar all about our Justice Forward Fund. They covered the basics of the program, eligibility, and the application process.
If you weren't able to attend, the recording is now available on YouTube.
| | Staff enjoying a recent breakfast at VCLF borrower, Tasty Bites, in Barre. | | |
Welcome, Kayla!
Kayla Neer is our new Senior Staff Accountant.
Kayla is an experienced CDFI accountant and a graduate of Northern Michigan University. She recently relocated to Vermont with her husband and their Irish Setter, and enjoys spending her free time cooking and exploring the outdoors.
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Welcome, Liz!
Liz Touchstone is our new Impact Investment Manager.
Liz is a proud Philadelphia native with a passion for community engagement and youth development. She’s spent her career in the nonprofit world, building programs that connect people and create lasting impact. She’s excited to bring that experience to VCLF—a perfect fit for her commitment to helping others invest in and give back to their communities.
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Welcome to the Board, Lorena!
Lorena Neironi Rossi is from northern Argentina and earned her law degree from Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. In Vermont, she spent 10 years as a loan officer before stepping away to raise her three children.
She later studied business, became a licensed insurance agent, and co-founded a Latin catering business to share her culture and connect with the community. As a Community Ambassador at CVOEO, Lorena supports Spanish-speaking and underserved communities, and serves on VCLF’s Justice Forward Fund loan review committee.
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Vermont is stronger when everyone has access to safe homes, good jobs, quality child care, and vibrant small businesses and community resources.
That’s what VCLF impact investors believe and that’s what their investments make possible. By aligning their dollars with their values, they’re helping to build a more just, resilient Vermont.
With fixed rates, flexible terms, and the potential for tax benefits, investing with VCLF is a powerful way to create lasting change right here at home.
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Investing in people and communities to create a just and thriving Vermont. | | | | | |
