Applications for Second Round of North Dakota Day Care Grants

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2010



Contact: Don Canton

701.328.2200

Julie Fedorchak

701.391.1140



APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR SECOND ROUND OF DAYCARE GRANTS



BISMARCK, N.D. – Applications will be accepted beginning Feb. 1 for the second round of state Child Care Grant Program. The deadline for application is March 31.



The program provides matching grants of up to $5,000 that can be used for the following infrastructure needs: egress windows, fences (cap of $3000 for fences) or documented expansion of the facility and equipment for special needs children. Another grant for up to $10,000 is available for technical assistance or business planning. Both grants require providers to provide $1 in matching funds for every $3 in grant funds.



“Parents and businesses have made it clear that quality, reliable childcare providers in our state are essential to supporting our state’s young working families with children,” Gov. John Hoeven said. “This program is designed to help stimulate the creation and expansion of more childcare options across our state.”



Shane Goettle, commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce which oversees the program, said the grants are intended to help childcare providers address capital needs and business planning to help daycare facilities avoid common business pitfalls and improve the odds of long-term success.



The legislature approved a total of $500,000 for the grants this biennium. Of that, $262,000 was distributed through 96 awards during the first round. Awards were given based on the following priorities:

1. Funding for technical assistance and business plans.

2. Daycare startup or expansion safety equipment such as egress windows and fencing.

3. Special needs equipment suitable for day care facilities that serve children with disabilities.

4. Equipment.



The first round of grants supported the creation of 262 new day care openings for children statewide. Approximately $240,000 will be available for the second round.



Funding will be equally distributed between licensed profit, non-profit and public childcare facilities. Other criteria include facility history, the importance of the facility to the community and grants to support purchasing safety equipment.



Additional information for the Child Care Grant program can be found at

http://www.communityservices.nd.gov/community/child-care-grant-program/ .



Another program to enhance the availability of quality daycare options in the state provides up to $100,000 in low-interest loans for day care facilities from the North Dakota Development Fund to acquire, lease, or remodel real estate, to purchase equipment or for working capital.



The loan program has $1.25 million and applications are available at http://www.business.nd.gov/forms/north-dakota-development-fund-forms/. Both programs are available until June 30, 2011 and are available to all licensed profit, nonprofit and public child care facilities.



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