ELY – Some 180 students in Ely will have a new school facility to return to this fall after completion of a $5 million expansion project completed in July.
The Learning Bridge Charter School, a publicly chartered elementary school which serves students in kindergarten through eighth grades, accomplished the project thanks to $3.8 million in Community Facility Direct Loans received over the past two years. The loan program is made possible through USDA Rural Development.
“Congratulations to Learning Bridge Charter School for following through on their commitment to expand educational options for children here,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Phil Cowee. “Improving education is a long-term investment.”
According to a statement, the school’s previous location was leased and included two modular buildings. The loan helped the school to develop the new site, move the modular buildings and complete the project with parking lots and a fire access road. Learning Bridge Charter School provided $1.2 million toward the project.
The new facility has 10 classrooms, a warming kitchen, office area, a server room, storage room and a nurse’s office. It’s on track to open this fall.
The Community Facility Program Direct Loan Fund provides low interest, long-terms loans for essential rural community facilities like schools, community centers, health centers, libraries and museums.
