In November of 2020, our child care center began an expansion project to increase our licensed capacity from 151 children up to 207.
We applied for, and received, a Community Development Block Grant totaling $600,000. We then kicked off a capital fundraising campaign to raise the necessary funds to start construction.
In June of 2021, we broke ground on a 4900 square foot addition to our building. Over the past year we have added 4 classrooms, an office, a bathroom and several storage areas. Our expansion project came with a $1.39 million price tag. To date, we have raised 92% of our total needed. We are still fundraising and hope to make our total without having to take on a mortgage.
We have had amazing support from area businesses, individuals, foundations and groups. We have written and received a handful of grants as well to go towards our project. We were lucky enough to receive 2 federal grants that helped us both furnish the new classrooms, and update the existing ones as well.
We are truly appreciative of all the donations / grants we have received so far, including 2 from the Iowa Women’s Foundation, allowing us to increase the number of child care slots available in our area. Child care is in high demand with a very low number of spaces to be utilized. We hope these additional 56 spots will help several families in need of quality, affordable child care.
