Early child care a focus of READI grants in southern Indiana
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In southern Indiana, a series of projects totaling $11.6 million is underway to increase access to child care.
YMCAs in Scott and Washington counties will be building new space for day care activities. In Jeffersonville, the River Ridge Learning Center is also building a new early childhood education facility to create 150 spots for pre-K children.
All three projects are aided in part by funding through the second round of the state’s Regional Acceleration and Development Initiative—or READI 2.0.
In a release from the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg said child care is one of the biggest problems facing Hoosier families.
“As a state, we’re committed to supporting Hoosiers and ensuring that current and future generations have access to the support and resources needed to care for their families and advance their lives. These investments in the Our Southern Indiana region will fill critical gaps in the region, ensuring all families can access quality childcare,” Rosenberg said in the release.
All together, the three projects are receiving a little over $3.6 million in READI 2.0 funding.
The Scott County Family YMCA is getting $1 million from READI to convert an abandoned pool area into a new day care facility that will have 10,000 square feet of space along with a playground. That project is estimated to cost $2.85 million in total and should be finished by January 2027.
The Washington County YMCA is similarly getting $1.7 million to add new child care space that will add 50 new seats for kids up to three years old, as well as a community center. That project is slated to cost $3.8 million and be finished sometime in 2026.
Just under $1 million in READI funds are also going to the River Ridge Learning Center, which is investing $4.9 million to a new early childhood education center at its facility north of Jeffersonville. The IEDC’s release says the project will add 150 childcare seats for kids under five.
The Our Southern Indiana region was one of six to receive the highest allocation of $45 million in READI 2.0 funding earlier this year. The region covers Clark, Floyd, Jefferson, Scott, and Washington counties.