State Sends $100,000 to Melrose for Child Care Expansion

(KNSI) – A Melrose child care provider is among 11 statewide sharing in more than $1.4 million in state grants aimed at easing Minnesota’s child care shortage.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced the awards Thursday. Melrose will get $100,000 through DEED’s Child Care Economic Development Grant program. Statewide, the grants are projected to create more than 1,100 new child care slots. More than 80% of the money is headed to Greater Minnesota.

The program provides funding to communities and organizations investing in new or expanding child care businesses. Eligible uses include facility improvements, worker training, and efforts to attract, retain and license providers.

City of Melrose – $100,000
City of Windom – $100,000
Discovery Place, Thief River Falls – $51,500
Excell Academy for Higher Learning, Brooklyn Park – $100,000
Lakes Area Enrichment Center, Starbuck – $100,000
Northfield Healthy Community Initiative – $200,000
Northland Foundation, Duluth – $200,000
Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Bemidji – $200,000
Prairie Pines Child Care Center, Fosston – $73,333
WomenVenture, St. Paul – $200,000
Wonder World Preschool, Inc., Slayton – $100,000

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