Kylie Baldwin, Director of Kingdom Kids Childcare Center, presented the business plan for their new center at this week’s Pope County HRA/EDA meeting. The plans include the purchase of a building instead of continuing to lease the space that is currently used. “In 2012 we signed a lease for 10 years with the Klick foundation and we have extended that until June 2023, but we were locked into a low cost for rent and it’s going up considerably in September,” she said.

The plan expands the facilities available from five to 11 classrooms. “We’re in just over 7,000 square feet and will be going to 17,000, increasing the license capacity from 108 to 152 children. The cost for the project is estimated to cost between $1-1.2 million. 

The center has asked the HRA/EDA to take the lead on an application to DEED for the Child Care Economic Development grant. The grant can fund up to $300,000 with a 50% match stipulation. The center has been doing a lot of fundraising and is working with First Childrens Finance on cost and estimates. Ayers and Ayers Architects have put together floor plans and done an inspection.

The request brought several questions from the board, including whether the city needs to be involved, who is footing the bill for the grant writer and can it be done before the August 30 deadline? It was determined that the city will need to be involved in the planning and request. The grant-writer is approximated to cost between $6-7,000 and would be included in the project cost. 

The board agreed unanimously to support the application process and act as fiscal agent for the project. Murray is going to put together a resolution and try to attend a city meeting.

The board also voted to send a letter of support for the broadband project funds request to DEED. “It will be beneficial in the application if there is support shown from the HRA/EDA,” said Murray.

The board proceeded to review and approve the bills and per diems. The Bay Meadows development had no updates and the meeting was adjourned.