Workforce News

Child Care Economic Development Grants Now Open for Applications

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19 July 2022


Funds will provide solutions to reduce child care shortages 

St. Paul – Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched the latest round of?Child Care Economic Development Grants. These grants authorize $4.85 million over two fiscal years for grants to community partners to increase quality child care providers to support economic development across Minnesota. A total of $2.425 million will be available in this second round of funding; $2.425 million was awarded previously to 14 projects.  

DEED is seeking proposals from local governments or nonprofits with experience in the operations, financing, advocacy, or advancement of the delivery of child care services. Qualified parties may request up to $300,000 in state funds for this program.  

Individual child care providers, both centers and family-based, seeking funds to establish new operations or expanding existing operations are encouraged to partner on their funding request with local or regional organizations with experience in the planning or financing of child care facilities. 

"We continue to hear that a lack of quality child care is one of the major hurdles preventing the growth of our workforce," said?DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. "Through past grants, we’ve seen the positive impact this funding has on both families and communities. We're excited this next round of grants will further address the child care shortage and help parents pursue their careers and support their families." 

Program funds can be used for child care business startups or expansions, training, facility modifications, direct subsidies or incentives to retain employees, or improvements required for licensing, and assistance with licensing and other regulatory requirements. 

Priority will be given to communities that have a documented shortage of child care providers in their proposed project area. The definition of documented shortages may include disparities in access to affordable quality child care among targeted groups including but not limited to rural communities, low-income communities, Black, Indigenous and people of color individuals, persons with disabilities, veterans, and women. 

All applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. Central Time, on August 30, 2022. 

Proposals should be submitted by email to?MNSBP.DEED@state.mn.us?in a single PDF file. Award recipients will be notified in October 2022. 

To learn more about this program, join our upcoming informational webinar: 

  • Tuesday, July 26, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
  • To join the meeting from your smartphone, tablet or computer, click the?Microsoft Teams meeting link here?or 
  • You can join by phone: 651-395-7448 (Conference ID 175 607 021#) 

If you have additional questions, you can submit them by email to?MNSBP.DEED@state.mn.us. Please submit questions no later than 4:00 p.m. Central Time, on August 16, 2022

DEED will post responses to frequently asked questions on DEED's?Competitive Grants and Contracts page

You can learn more about the Child Care Economic Development Grant here.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website, the JoinUsMn.com website, or follow us on Twitter.

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