Council approves partnership agreement with TLC Learning Center to expand childcare and training

The City Council approved an ordinance authorizing an economic development incentive and partnership agreement with TLC Learning Center to expand childcare capacity, training and career pathways for early‑childhood professionals.

Council members asked clarifying questions about city versus community benefits, funding sources and alternatives considered. Staff said the agreement uses a mix of one‑time and ongoing city funds, aligns with council priorities on early childhood, and aims to benefit both city employees and the wider community. Christina Pacheco, Human Services Director, described the project’s capacity‑building component, including training space to support “friend, family, neighbor” providers and scholarship partnerships with Front Range Community Foundation.

Councilor Popkin said the partnership offers both recruitment and retention benefits for city staff and broader community supports; staff confirmed the collaboration with local foundations and noted constraints such as capacity and workforce supply in the early‑childhood sector.

The council opened a public hearing on the ordinance and, seeing no public comments, unanimously approved the ordinance on second reading. The ordinance will allow the city to provide the approved incentives under the terms discussed.

Why it matters: Longmont cites early childhood as a council priority; the TLC partnership is intended to increase childcare supply, provide training for local childcare providers and reduce childcare‑related barriers for employees and residents. The agreement combines capital and programmatic pieces and includes workforce development and scholarship elements.