City holds hearing for Child Care Creation grant
JACKSON, Tenn. – The City of Jackson held a public hearing for a grant that is available for members of the community for growth and expansion.
The Child Care Creation grant was presented to the public Monday, which will help child care providers, which will then give those businesses the opportunity to apply and help them grow.
“Essentially this grant provides capital funding to licensed child care providers to be able to renovate buildings, acquire buildings, or fund equipment necessary to expand child care accesses. So we are looking at new spots for child care clients and also and increasing staffing for child care facilities,” said Lauren Kirk, the Chief Innovation Officer with the City of Jackson.
Several child care owners were in attendance, asking questions to better understand how to apply for the grant as well as see what all they qualify for.
Kirk says that in order to apply for this grant you have to have the proper license or in school for such license.
Child care providers are given a week to submit their request for the grant.
“October 30th, a week from today, we would like to have the initial, which basically is an overview of who the organization is, what they are requesting the budget for, that request, and their capacity to take this on. And then from that we will evaluate those submissions with the children’s cabinet,” Kirk said.
This cabinet is composed of the city and county mayor, superintendent, and other members who are involved with child welfare in the community.
The city is able to request the maximum amount of $500,000, but it is unsure who will receive this amount or if the city will be given the full amount.
“Whether that all goes to one project or whether that is split amongst a number of projects is yet to be determined. We’ll have to see what our providers request and evaluate that amongst impact and feasibility,” Kirk said.
Kirk also mentioned that it is important for the growth of the city to receive this grant, and they hope to receive the full amount.
For business owners who wish to apply, contact Kirk at lkirk@jacksontn.gov or Melissa Davis, with the Southwest Development District at mdavis@swtdd.org.
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