‘It’s the closest we’ve ever been’
Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative is making strides toward reaching the funding necessary for approval on a $1 million Energy Impact Grant through the Department of Local Affairs. If its bid proves successful, the grant would allow the group to begin construction on its 11,500-square-foot childcare facility. For two of the final pieces, it secured $50,000 in funding from Holyoke City Council on Feb. 7 and another $50,000 from outside funding. Organization representative Tom Bennett thanked both entities for their generous support and commitment thus far.
The group has sent in the applications and is waiting to answer questions it may receive from DOLA. Then, it will prepare for the hearing the last week of June. They have reached the necessary match to secure the loan, but are still looking for community support in order to avoid having to take out an additional loan to counter contingency costs, or unforeseen expenses.
“We’re in good shape,” Bennett said. “The final piece is once we get DOLA, we’re able to complete the process, to open back up the bids and get the final numbers, and then we can start construction.”
The initiative has not closed on the land itself, as the group is waiting to finish the drainage plan. It hopes to have the plan finished by the end of April, and would then present it to the planning commission and the city for their final approval. The group would then close on the land in early June.
“The two major things to get moving are the land acquisition and the grant funding,” said Bennett. “Once those things are in place, we’re really ready to get started.” The initiative is excited to be at this stage of the process. According to Bennett, DOLA has indicated it is looking for shovel-ready projects, and the Childcare Initiative feels it has done all the homework necessary, understanding the needs of what the building should look like, the location of it, and getting city approval and support.
At the top end, the facility would support 100 children, with around 15 full-time employees at capacity. Between 80-85 percent capacity would be required to break even, depending on the cost structures.
Childcare Project Coordinator Trisha Herman reiterated the initiative feels confident about where they stand, given the support received for the project; her group has gone through drainage plans, architecture plans, a feasibility study, a design report and more.
According to Herman, the initiative will know DOLA’s decision by the end of July. If awarded the grant, DOLA will present with the initiative in Denver, and the group could break ground as soon as this fall.
“It’s the closest we’ve ever been,” said Herman.
A feasibility report furnished by the group included an initial survey conducted in the City of Holyoke. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said that they would use childcare services if they were available.
A secondary survey the group conducted found a high number of families have struggled to find childcare, which has adversely affected the work of one or both parents, some of whom have had to change jobs. The survey states a childcare facility could be used while also allowing parents to return to their full-time work. One hundred thirty-one out of 137 participants, or 95.6 percent, answered that they felt a childcare center would be beneficial to the Holyoke community.
“I think it’s like the old adage: If you build it they will come,” Bennett said. “That has been shown and the studies have been done. I think anytime you do what’s best for kids, you’re always going to do what’s best for the community.”