The DEED grants are part of an overall $8 million package of funding to assist communities to address their child care shortages, including $3 million directed toward the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations covering Greater Minnesota to assist communities and providers. “I believe that they were instrumental in writing a grant that was ultimately accepted and is helping us receive the $140,000,” Riffle said. "Access to quality child care is a crisis in Minnesota that is holding our workforce back." “I believe that the state governments and local businesses really understand that and are beginning to work together to provide opportunities and funding for qualified centers and child care providers to either start something new or expand what they're already offering,” he said. The definition of documented shortages may include disparities in access to affordable quality child care among targeted groups including rural communities low-income communities Black, Indigenous and people of color persons with disabilities veterans and women. “There was a need before the pandemic - and an even greater need now - for child care providers as family care providers have shut down, and centers have scaled back classrooms and what they're offering,” Riffle said.Ĭash bonuses and free lunches: No end in sight to labor shortage Priority in awarding the grants was given to communities with a “documented shortage” of child care providers in their proposed project area. “We know that before the pandemic there was a shortage of about 1,100 to 1,200 spots just within Crow Wing County,” Riffle said of a study by the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp., the Initiative Foundation and First Children's Finance.Īccording to a Harvard Business Review survey, almost two-thirds of parents have had trouble finding child care during the coronavirus pandemic.īrainerd YMCA offers ‘emergency daycare’ following coronavirus outbreak In Crow Wing County alone, 30-35 in-home day care businesses closed during the pandemic. The state awarded grants totaling $2,425,000 to 14 organizations throughout Minnesota to increase the amount of child care providers in order to support regional economic development.Īlong with affordable housing, having child care available is key to bringing people back to the workforce. “Our goal over the next year, year-and-a-half - once it's been renovated - is to add between 74 to 85 infant and toddler spots,” Riffle said of the property. Frank Lee / Brainerd Dispatchīrainerd Family YMCA announces capital campaign to replace facilities The Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home building sits on the property for sale at 703 Oak St.
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