County approves DEED amendment, HRA purchase to keep childcare projects moving in Hinkley, Willow River and Pine City

Leslie Sauter, Pine County economic development coordinator, updated commissioners on a multi-year effort to expand child-care capacity in Pine County and asked the board to approve a DEED grant amendment and related actions to keep the project moving.

Sauter reviewed earlier county and regional studies showing an estimated countywide need of roughly 300 child-care slots. The county and partners applied for and received a DEED childcare grant of approximately $500,000 in mid-2024 to support sites in Pine City, Hinckley (Hinkley) and a Finlayson/Willow River area. Subsequent site changes and bid realities required an amendment: the Finlayson location was removed, funds were shifted and Willow River was added. The amendment reallocates DEED funds roughly as follows: Pine City $220,000; Willow River $56,000; Hinkley $222,000 (amounts appear as budget line items in the packet).

Sauter said the project has pursued a local provider and used a childcare consultant to vet operators; the county’s HRA/EDA has approved use of EDA-style investment funds to support purchase of a Hinkley site at 302 Fire Monument Road as part of the implementation strategy. Sauter described the amendment as preserving slots (the packet showed total slots rising to 118 countywide across projects after the amendment, up from 88 under an earlier plan) and adding roughly 18 new slots under the current amendment.

Commissioners discussed procurement and bid timing. Sauter said county staff plan to put the Hinkley build out out for bid and that the DEED grant expires in June; if bid prices exceed available funds staff will seek a subsequent amendment or scale the build. Board members agreed to approve the amendment now to maintain momentum, with authority to return with further amendments if needed.

A motion to approve the amendment and associated HRA/EDA purchase process was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to proceed to bidding for the Hinkley site, continue outreach to possible operators and to return if additional funding or amendments are required.