Child care center campaign meeting is Monday

The issue of available child care in Holyoke has long been at the forefront of conversation with both businesses and community members. Now’s your chance to learn more about and possibly join in the efforts to bring a child care center to Holyoke.

Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative is hosting a community kickoff campaign informational meeting Monday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Melissa Memorial Hospital waiting room.

Since its creation in 2017, the HCCI board has been tirelessly working toward the development of a child care center. It is now preparing for a capital campaign and is seeking local financial support for seed money to show grantors that the initiative has the backing of the community.

Approximately $500,000 needs to be raised locally to demonstrate community support to potential grantors.

HCCI is a 501(c)(3) and is in the process of becoming a Northeast Colorado Enterprise Zone project. A contribution could relieve the donor’s state tax liability by a minimum of 25%.

The board would like to have pledges made by Nov. 1 so applications can be prepared for matching funds.

Total cost estimate for the project is $3 million to $3.5 million. The proposed location is next to Melissa Memorial Hospital with Mike Smith Construction Inc. named the general contractor.

The 13,000-square-foot building would serve 100 kids from birth to school age by offering two infant rooms, four toddler rooms, pre-kindergarten room, multipurpose area and after-school opportunities.

HCCI board members include chairman Trampas Hutches, vice chairman Tom Bennett, Evan Fust, Olga Sullivan and Tiffany Watson.

For more information about the Aug. 12 meeting or to donate, contact program coordinator Trisha Herman at 970-218-4037 or holyoke childcare@gmail.com.