A groundbreaking is being held today for the $3.45 million child care center that will be built across from the elementary school in Colfax. In addition to representatives from the Colfax-Mingo School District and the building’s designers and builders, Dean Snyder Construction in Ankeny and Atura Architecture of Clear Lake, officials from the Colfax Economic Development Corporation will also be present for the ceremony. According to Colfax-Mingo Superintendent Tim Salmon, the project’s plan is for construction to be finished by June of the following year.
The combination childcare and preschool received a $1.7 million grant from the Colfax Economic Development Corporation. Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Workforce Development Agency allocated $14 million in grant awards for companies throughout the state to increase employee access to child care. The grant money, which comes from the state’s Child Care Business Incentive Grant, must be utilized for the development of new daycare centers or for the expansion of existing ones. Superintendent Salmon points out that in order to provide matching funds for the grants, the school district made contact with the public.
With 9,500 square feet for daycare and 2,000 square feet for preschool, the new building is anticipated to house up to 140 kids and generate over 20 new jobs. According to the Colfax Economic Development Corporation, the building’s placement across from the elementary school should make it simple for families and kids to move from preschool to elementary school. Additionally, it permits parking, restaurant services, and the use of a playground by everybody. Everyone is welcome to attend today’s groundbreaking. It starts at 16 South Locust Street in Colfax at 10 a.m.
