Walla Walla YMCA offers to lead $2M state childcare construction grant for Lions Park community building

Karen Hedin, chief executive officer of the Walla Walla YMCA, told the City of College Place City Council on Aug. 5 that the Washington State Department of Commerce Early Learning Facilities grant will open in September and close in October and can reimburse up to $2 million in construction costs for the childcare portion of the Lions Park Community Building. The request matters to the city because the proposed childcare would occupy city-owned property; Commerce grants over $250,000 typically require security against real property and the Commerce program commonly includes a 10‑year lien requirement, Hedin told the council. She said the grant is reimbursement-based and that Commerce typically pays quickly after invoices are submitted: “When I submit on a Monday, I'm paid by Wednesday.” Hedin described design and funding context for the community…