Applications for American Rescue Plan funds have started coming into the Pope County HRA/EDA for the childcare portion of allocated funds. At last week’s meeting, two applications were discussed for two childcare centers. 

The two centers requested that their applications have early review due to contractor and construction scheduling constraints. The board agreed to review the applications at the meeting.

The first application reviewed was from Glacial Hills Elementary School for funding totaling $74,971.20. This funding would cover the remodeling/construction and updating of a preschool-age facility. GHES is currently licensed and in good standing, it was stated.  There are currently 16 children enrolled at their center and with the proposed funding and construction, enrollment could increase to 25-30 children. 

The elementary school currently employs one part-time and one full-time person for their preschool-aged center and would be able to add one more full-time employee, it was stated.

The second application reviewed was from Kingdom Kids Childcare Center in Glenwood. The total funding request from them is for $75,000. The center is planning to construct new facilities with the current bid totaling $2,234,500. The center is currently licensed and in good standing, according to information at the meeting.

The center’s enrollment currently totals 74 children from various age range and employs two part-time workers and 22 full-time staff.  With the project completion, the center would have capacity for 125 children and six additional jobs.

Both applications were approved for the next step in the process of funding and will be addressed by the county board of commissioners at their next meeting, it was stated. 

The last item of discussion was a structural study of the Fremad building. With several requests from the public on the building’s fate, the HRA/EDA has approved the hiring of Sandman Structural Engineers to complete a survey of the building and its structural integrity so a decision can be made on how to proceed. The fixed fee of the survey is $4,000 plus reimbursable expenses and add-ons if needed. The project would be completed by the end of July, it was stated.  The board had hoped it would be completed by July 1. 

Additional charges for the survey would require board approval, and the survey completion will depend on the company’s availability to work with adjacent building owners to determine the effects of the building on its neighbors.

After discussing the Memorial Day storms, the meeting was adjourned.