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Council backs Boys & Girls Club-led early childhood center campaign, authorizes $50,000 mayor’s challenge and REDI grant application
Summary
The council unanimously authorized a mayor’s challenge to match up to $50,000 in local contributions toward a proposed $8.8 million early childhood center and approved applying for a $100,000 Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grant to support the project.
Erin Miltonberger and partners presented an update on a proposed early childhood center that the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley is leading and asked the council to support local fundraising and grant applications to close a $2.6 million funding gap.
Miltonberger told the council the total construction cost is $8.8 million for a facility planned to provide 60 licensed child-care slots across 10 classrooms, create about 40 jobs and include an on-site workforce training center for early childhood educators. The project team reported $6.2 million in funds raised so far (about $4.2 million in government grants, $750,000 in private foundation support and $815,000 in individual donations) and said the remaining gap is roughly $2.6 million.
The council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor’s challenge, matching up to $50,000 in local contributions to reduce the loan amount the Boys & Girls Club would carry; Councilor Carson moved the motion and it was seconded and approved. City staff and Councilor Hensley explained the match would lower debt service and improve project viability. The council also unanimously approved Resolution No. 4‑2025 authorizing staff to apply for a $100,000 REDI grant from DOLA to support the center; the motion to apply was made and seconded and the roll call showed unanimous approval.
Miltonberger described workforce components of the project, including a planned budgeted base wage of about $18.60 an hour for new early-childhood employees and an on-site training laboratory developed in partnership with Adams State University and Trinidad State College. She outlined community benefits, including improved kindergarten readiness and increased workforce participation by parents, and said the Boys & Girls Club planned to sign a loan to cover the remaining gap if needed.
Councilors expressed broad support and emphasized fundraising at all levels. No conditions or additional city appropriations were recorded in the motions; staff will administratively manage the match program and grant application steps.
