Officials Praise New Daycare Learning Center in Freeport

by David Croyle

The former Freeport Kindergarten school once again had the hustle and bustle of children in its building this fall.

The building was sold by the Freeport School District last spring and re-opened on August 8, 2016 as the area’s newest daycare center.

The new Freeport Bumblebee Learning Center boasts shiny floors, exceptional staff, and a vision to assist young families who balance work schedules with demands of child care.

Learning Center Director Andrea Reamer said the goal of the facility is to “provide a strong foundation for children to build upon for their lifetime.”

“Enrollment has been increased each week,” Reamer said. “We are full inclusive to all children – any child has an opportunity to come to our center.”

Enrollment quickly grew to 30 children since its opening, but Daycare Center Owner Genevieve Hwostow has an industrious goal of filling the building with a maximum of 114 children.

Tuition costs range from $18 to $40 depending on the services desired by the parent. The Learning Center also offers latchkey services, providing childcare before and after school for school-age children. Flexible hours between 6AM and 6PM assist the parents with childcare needs.

“We will change hours for any parent that has a different schedule,” Hwostow said.

The facility is located directly across the street from the Freeport Post Office. Local developer Ron Mailki purchased the building from the Freeport School District in April 2016.

“I had in mind office rental for this building for doctors’ offices, but then I saw the need for daycare,” Mailiki said. “My secretary, Jen (Hwostow) has run with it and is doing well.”

Hwostow brought the idea to Mailiki last spring after he purchased the property. Mailiki saw her vision and decided to fund the investment, developing the concept of the Learning Center. Mailiki said he believes the Learning Center will soon be able to become self-sufficient.

“I’ll invest another two years in it. It will stand alone next year I believe.”

Mailiki estimated that he has spent approximately $250,000 in renovations since purchasing the building.

“I put quite a few man hours in here. It was in average condition. I have done a lot of repairs and a lot of modifications. I probably have a little over 1,200 man hours in here.”

Mailiki has been a resident of the Laneville section of Freeport most of his life. His entrepreneurial ventures include real estate properties currently occupied by Penn State. He also purchased the former Freeport Junior High School building, but has not disclosed his plans for its use.

“I’ve worked all around the country, but have always been from Freeport. Things have been positive here for me,” Mailiki said.

Several weeks ago, county and local officials toured the building and were able to watch staff interact with children.

State Senator Don White was impressed with what he saw.

“Normally I go back to Harrisburg and I look for money to demolish buildings like this. And they found a higher purpose. I think what they are doing here is a real opportunity for a lot of kids, parents, people. Just look around, if you take a tour of this facility like I just had the opportunity to do, it’s spotless! It’s clean! It’s a great environment for kids. All we have to do is get the word out a little better and give it a little more time. There are things available through Harrisburg like the Educational Improvement Tax Credit that could become a valuable tool here to help with families that can’t afford tuition. I’m very excited about it,” White said.

Jim Swartz has been mayor in Freeport since 2009. He has followed Mailiki’s vision for local development from the start.

“Ron came over before he even bought the place to my office. We talked about it and he told me what he wanted to do over here and I bought into it right away. I thought it would be a great idea. After he bought it, he brought me over and gave me a tour and it looks 100% better now. He put a lot of work into it. It just opened in August, but if we get the word out, they should be able to fill it. It’s something we need in this area. With the Kindergarten Center shutting down, we had a daycare across the church at the Presbyterian Church - and they shut it down, so we really didn’t have anything in Freeport to pick up the slack. He’s done a good job! I will give him credit!”

The property was allocated by the school district, Freeport Borough, and county planners as a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ). The designation gives whomever purchases the property up to ten years without paying property taxes in exchange for developing the property.

Armstrong County Department of Economic Development Executive Director Michael Coonley was pleased that the KOZ has proven to be a positive incentive for Mailiki to create a private business for the facility.

“I think it’s fantastic!” Coonley remarked. “The KOZ was put in place to help offset the costs associated with reusing the building. This is a great first step. It keeps the buildings from becoming blighted.”

Armstrong County Commissioner Pat Fabian echoed Coonley’s remarks.

“I think it is great that they took a building that was vacated by the school district and rehabbed it into something positive. I’m excited to see this property being utilized again. It’s great to see all the smiling kids in the room as well.”

The Learning Center also participates in State subsidy programs that help lower-income families afford daycare. Their staff is available to discuss with parents financial assistance opportunities.

To make an appointment to tour the Freeport Bumblebee Learning Center, call the office at 724-540-5334.

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