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Someday soon there could be a space created inside of the unfinished hockey arena in Stacy, where an active caring environment will be open for youngsters, while their parents and guardians are earning a living.  A $500,000 grant funneled through the Minnesota Department of Education has been earmarked and is “moving along’ according to a spokesperson at MDE. She said policy is that the department is unable to provide details until the grant is in the awardee’s hands — in this case the North Branch Area Hockey Association.

Creating a multi-purpose facility, to promote educational services,  at the arena rose to the top of brainstorming sessions through the Chisago County Child Care Coalition. 

Over the past year the child care coalition organized training forums, conferences, made start-up grants available, and social events helped daycare providers network—all to boost the availability of daycare slots and support local daycare providers. 

A strong economic scene is contingent on there being a workforce— and the workforce is contingent on whether or not children have suitable local care. 

The North Branch Area Public Schools community education before-and-after school program,  and North Branch Area Hockey Association came together on a facility-sharing idea. Recently it was announced by the DOE that the proposal would receive $500,000 from the U.S. Treasury capital projects fund channeled through the state.  The grants are not final until contracts have been signed.

North Branch Area School District already runs “Youth Connection” where at a school board meeting last month it was announced 239 participants are enrolled.

According to Nancy Hoffman, Chisago County HRA/EDA Director, when the childcare coalition membership looked into areas where child care was needed Stacy was noted.  

Hoffman said the coalition also talked with large employers and even churches,  about the potential for daycare on-site.  The most common response was that they were supportive and  that employees would probably utilize slots if they became available, but the companies and church staff themselves lack the expertise to become involved in child care.  Excessive remodel of facilities was also a hurdle.

Reportedly,  only “discretionary” grants and aid have been frozen by the administration in Washington D.C.  

The state of Minnesota was slated to receive $47 million in US Treasury Capital Projects monies, according to the latest internet dashboard. In total,  $10 billion is promised to all states, tribal governments, etc. 

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