Mike Smith Construction picked for proposed child care project in Holyoke

    Mike Smith Construction Inc. will build the proposed child care facility north of Melissa Memorial Hospital, Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative project coordinator Elizabeth Hutches announced at Holyoke Chamber of Commerce’s Jan. 22 meeting.
    In addition to building the facility, the Holyoke-based company will oversee design and subcontracting. Other local projects completed by Smith include the Phillips County Event Center and attached preschool, Bank of Colorado, Holyoke Marketplace, Carriage House and St. Patrick Catholic Church.
    “He has a lovely team and he has a lot of faith in them,” Hutches said, “which is nice for me, so we don’t have to worry about those things.”
    Smith was chosen over three Front Range respondents to the initiative’s request for proposals. Hutches said the initiative hopes to break ground in 2020.
    She also reported on the efforts to secure grant and donor funds for the initiative, which is established as a 501(c)(3).
    Currently, Hutches’ wages are being paid by a grant from the Denver-based Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation. A grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs is also being sought with the help of the City of Holyoke.
    Melissa Memorial Hospital, CHS, Seaboard Foods, First Pioneer National Bank, Phillips County Economic Development, Bank of Colorado, Holyoke Community Federal Credit Union and Little Angels have all pledged funds or donated to the project. In-kind donations have also been made by MMH, which is offering a land lease, and Vertical Strategies.
    Hutches said the initiative hopes to raise $250,000 or more locally to match potential grants.