Business news: New home for Mountain Tots, a new luxury real estate firm and a donation for river conservation

September 10, 2026 - 11:04

Vista Bank is providing financing for a new home for Mountain Tots Preschool, a project designed to expand licensed childcare capacity in Eagle County. The effort addresses a persistent shortage of early childhood education slots that has frustrated working families across the region for years.

The new facility will allow the preschool to serve more children and reduce waiting lists that have kept many parents scrambling for alternatives. Staff members say the added space will also let them improve classroom layouts and offer more focused programs for different age groups.

Construction is expected to move forward in phases, with the bank's support covering a significant portion of the development costs. Local officials have pointed to childcare availability as a key factor in attracting and retaining workers, especially as the area's cost of living continues to climb.

Separately, a new luxury real estate firm has opened its doors in the valley, aiming to serve high-end buyers and sellers. And a recent donation will support river conservation work, funding efforts to protect waterways that are central to the region's outdoor recreation economy and natural landscape.