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Primetime Early Childhood Center outlines staffing cuts, asks county to press Montrose for promised support
Summary
Primetime Early Childhood Center said budget cuts will close its infant room in December unless additional grant funds arrive; center confirmed two-thirds of emergency funding is in place but Montrose County has not responded to requests for the third share and San Miguel commissioners said they will follow up.
Primetime Early Childhood Center updated San Miguel County commissioners on Oct. 15 about steps to reduce operating costs after the nonprofit’s board accepted emergency aid in September tied to a November update on its solvency plan.
Melissa Alba, Primetime’s director, said the center has already reduced staff hours, consolidated positions and is working to find grants to keep the infant room open at least two days a week. She said enrollment has risen slightly in recent weeks but that the loss of an anticipated contribution from Montrose County leaves the center short of the third of emergency aid it hoped to secure.
Alba said the center has sought help from neighboring counties and local partners; she reported no response after presenting to the Montrose County board and said outreach to other local nonprofits and schools is ongoing. She asked the commissioners whether San Miguel could consider a second contribution if Montrose confirms a final “no.”
Commissioners asked Alba to pursue additional grant sources including Bright Futures and the town of Mountain Village; Commissioner Galena Gleeson offered to follow up directly with Montrose County Commissioner (name stated) to secure a clear yes-or-no. Commissioners said they were willing to consider another one-time county contribution only if it would move the center to a sustainable footing rather than extend an interim subsidy indefinitely.
The board and Primetime staff agreed to schedule a short follow-up update in December and to try to document the center’s timeline for when the ECAP and other state funds will arrive. County staff said the county’s previous contribution for the center was $21,667 and that any additional allocation would be evaluated alongside the county budget.
