Vision Brookings Grants Brookings Child Care Collaborative $380K

Vision Brookings, a catalyst for economic growth initiatives in the Brookings region, has been a driving force behind the area's development since 2005. Founded by private investors who recognized the region's potential, this initiative has successfully completed four campaigns to raise private funds to catalyze game-changing community investment and development. Over its 20-year history, Vision Brookings supported initiatives have has  added nearly $80 million in annual payroll, more than 1,500 new jobs, and leveraged over $50 million in community grants and investments. 

The most recent campaign, Vision Brookings 2027, aims to address challenges and opportunities for economic development, including innovation, transportation infrastructure, and workforce housing and childcare.    Vision Brookings 2027 recognizes a critical challenge in the region: a shortage of childcare. A comprehensive study completed in March 2022 revealed a staggering need for 900+ additional licensed childcare slots for children from birth to 5 years. This shortage has been hampering the local labor pool and affecting residents' quality of life across Brookings County.

In response, Vision Brookings has strongly supported game-changing initiatives to tackle this issue head-on. A substantial $380,000 grant has been awarded to the Brookings Child Care Collaborative (BCCC), supporting the Boys & Girls Club's efforts to remodel their Early Childhood Education facility and increase capacity for children aged 0-3

This grant is part of a larger, community-wide effort launched in Fall 2023. The BCCC, is a collaborative effort between the Brookings Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), Brookings School District (BSD), and Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains (BGCNP), which aims to provide continuous care from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM for up to 360 children aged 0-5. This innovative approach integrates pre-kindergarten and continuous care into local elementary schools, with the Boys & Girls Club adding capacity for 130 infants and toddlers, while the School District expands to support 230 pre-kindergarten children. 

“One of Brookings strengths is community-wide collaboration to address big challenges.  Vision Brookings grant to the BCCC combines with investments by our City, School District, and state and federal grants to accelerate progress toward available childcare capacity in our area.  This initiative aligns with our investors commitment to invest today for a more prosperous tomorrow through support for high-leverage, catalytic, game-changing initiatives,” said Carla Gatzke, chair of Vision Brookings volunteer board.   

BEDC has been at the forefront of this issue since 2019, when its Workforce Survey Report first highlighted the impact of the childcare crisis on local businesses. Vision Brookings 2027 is now amplifying these efforts, demonstrating its commitment to fostering a community where families and businesses can thrive. 

"BEDC identified and quantified the critical need for an increase in childcare capacity,” said BEDC CEO Tim Reed. “Utilizing the relationship between BEDC and Vision Brookings, we were able to create visibility for this project and ensure Vison Brookings’ investment in the Collaborative’s effort leveraged other funds to ensure the availability of quality childcare for working parents.”

Building on Vision Brookings’ commitment, BCCC is also leveraging diverse funding sources and existing community assets. In a significant development, the Brookings City Council approved a $580,000 grant to support the increase in childcare capacity. BCCC is also tapping into funding from the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and making strategic use of existing infrastructure by integrating childcare services into Brookings School District (BSD) facilities and expanding the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains (BGCNP) capabilities. This multi-faceted strategy, orchestrated by the BCCC, maximizes resources and demonstrates a community-wide commitment to solving the childcare crisis, positioning Brookings as a model for innovative, collaborative solutions to pressing economic and social challenges.