NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2010

Contact: Julie Fedorchak
(701) 391-1140

COMMERCE ANNOUNCES SECOND ROUND OF DAYCARE GRANTS

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Commerce today announced that 65 North Dakota daycare providers have been selected for grants to support expansion, infrastructure improvements and business planning in their daycare operations. The awards represent the second round of the North Dakota Daycare Grant program.

Approximately $40,000 of the $500,000 allocated by the Legislature for this program remains and will be available for grants supporting business and technical plans only on a first-come-first-served basis beginning July 1. An application will be available on the website until funds are gone. http://www.communityservices.nd.gov/community/child-care-grant-program/.

 “This program is intended to increase the availability of high-quality childcare programs in the state and, in addition, to help daycares improve their business planning and stability,” Gov. John Hoeven, said.

Shane Goettle, commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, said the grant program was proposed by the Governor and approved by the 2009 Legislature.

“Finding quality daycare is a top concern for working parents,” Goettle said. “Interest in this program has been strong and we’re pleased that we were able to assist facilities working to meet the demand throughout our state, in both small and large communities.”

The grant winners were chosen from a total of 147 applicants 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 daycares that serve children with disabilities.
4. Equipment. (No projects in this category were funded because all the funds were expended through the other priority categories.)

A total of $209,000 is being distributed in awards ranging in size from $750 to $5,000 for infrastructure (egress windows, fences and expansion) and $10,000 for business planning. The second round of grants support the creation of 833 new day care openings for children statewide. One dollar in matching funds is required for every $3 in grant funds.

All applicants will be notified by letter regarding the status of their application. A list of the award winners is also posted at www.communityservices.nd.gov/community/child-care-grant-program/.

Approximately $250,000 was distributed in the first grant round this winter to 92 different facilities. All total, the childcare grant program has provided $460,000 in grants to 157 day cares in 61 communities statewide, supporting 1,075 new day care openings.

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