ADDRESSING THE BARRIERS OF HOUSING AND CHILD CARE — RED WILLOW ESTATES AND KID ZONE CHILD CARE CENTER OPEN
MLCV commemorated two projects with Grand Opening ceremonies on August 22. The first ceremony was the Onamia Childcare Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Pictured left: MLCV Associates: Beth Gruber, Michael Beattie, Joe Nayquonabe, Initiative Foundation President Don Hickman, Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek, Mille Lacs Health System CEO Bill Nelson, MLCV Associate Dustin Goslin, and Marge Agnew Mayor of Onamia. Red Willow Estates ceremony was held following the opening of the child care facility.
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures is proud to celebrate two projects that each reflect a shining ex-ample of what can happen when partners join together in communities such as Onamia. MLCV first approached the projects from research developed by the Center for World Policy and Development that indicated there are three things that are barriers for people getting back into the workforce: Affordable housing, transportation, and child care. MLCV saw an opportunity to fulfill two of those needs and reached out to community partners and gained success. MLCV is proud to announce the opening of two transformative projects in Onamia: Red Willow Estates, an affordable housing project, and the Onamia Child Care Center, operated by Kidz Zone.
This project would not have been possible without the collaboration of the partners, including Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, MLCV (as developer, vision creator, and executor), Mille Lacs Health System, The Initiative Foundation, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic De-velopment (DEED), the City of Onamia, and others.
“The children are the future — the future for all of us,” Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin said during her remarks in front of the Kidz Zone Child Care Center. “We want to make sure they have a safe, happy place, a place where they are learning the value systems of who we are as people. It is very exciting and I am so happy that we are moving ahead in a positive way.”
Accessible and quality child care services are vital for working parents to achieve a work-life balance. By developing the Onamia Child Care Center, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures aims to support the local workforce by providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for early childhood development.
“We understand the value of having a safe and enriching environment for children within our local communities,” said Beth Gruber, Director of Planning and Community Engagement at MLCV. She further noted, “The Onamia Child Care Center underscores our commitment to of-fering top-notch resources for the youngest members of our community.”
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan was happy to be a part of the celebration in Onamia. She said the projects are an “incredible asset” to the region. “Child care is so incredibly important, and Bradley [Harrington], as you got us started in a good way, you named just how we all come together around our little ones. It is who we have always been, it is who we continue to be. We know just how important the first 1,000 days of the life of a child is,” Lt. Governor Flanagan said. “To be in this place and in this space knowing that our young ones will be cared for, that their caregivers can feel like they have a safe and nurturing place to bring them every day is incredibly powerful.”
She further stated, “Whenever the Governor and I travel around the state, there are two things we hear most about: Lack of child care and the lack of housing. We have made big investments in this last legislative session and we will continue to make big investments because we know people need child care and they need housing to be able to thrive.”
The Onamia Child Care Center was made possible through partnerships with Kidz Zone Daycare Center, grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and the Initiative Foundation. Additionally, Mille Lacs Health System played a crucial role by supporting food service.
Red Willow Estates
Red Willow Estates is a 30-unit townhome community offering 22 two-bedroom, one- and one-half-bath units, and 8 three-bedroom, one- and one-half-bath units. All homes have a one- or two-car attached garage along with energy-efficient features and appliances.
As a tribally owned organization, MLCV has continuously advocated for investment in the communities it serves. Affordable housing has been a key priority in the area, as over 60% of the workforce commutes up to 50 miles daily – resulting in approximately 72% of the jobs in the area being filled by outside residents.
By offering affordable housing options, Red Willow Estates aims to fulfill the need for a stable and secure housing supply. This project not only addresses the immediate demand for housing but also supports the overall growth and prosperity of the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy. “We acknowledge the impact of the lack of affordable housing on both our Associates and the local community,” stated Dustin Goslin, VP of Business & Economic Development of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures.
“With the establishment of Red Willow Estates, we commit to sustainable and inclusive communities within the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy. This creates a positive impact on the well-being of every person and community we do business in.”
Red Willow Estates is the second affordable housing project developed by MLCV. In 2018, the company completed a 28-unit townhome community called Lady Luck Estates in Hinckley. Like Lady Luck Estates, Red Willow Estates will be managed by Circle Sage Property Management. Red Willow Estates is currently fully leased and has a waiting list of more than 130 families, indicating a strong need for affordable housing in the Onamia area.