Jeff Andrews, president of Business of Child Care, presented a community briefing to the Todd County Board on Jan. 6 outlining the Child Care House initiative proposed for Long Prairie.

Andrews described the model as a four‑phase pathway that builds small residential units (roughly 800 square feet, one bedroom, one bath, full kitchen) converted for licensed family‑childcare operation. The initial Long Prairie plan would place three units on the industrial‑park parcel under consideration; each unit is designed to serve roughly 10–12 children (licensing and shift models affect actual enrollment). Andrews said partners in other communities have combined grants, local fundraising and private support — citing Mapleton as an example that raised about $300,000 from a mix of a D‑grant, a national corporate grant and local foundations.

Andrews said Child Care House seeks to lower facility barriers (homeownership and building costs), provide first‑year business supports (monthly check‑ins, three resupply shipments from a partner vendor, startup advising), and create operator selection processes aligned with local needs. He noted recent legislation enhancing tax credits and employer write‑offs that local employers could use to support near‑site or community childcare investments.

Commissioners and local staff pressed on practical concerns: how many slots are truly needed and affordable, licensing caps and infant‑care limits (two infants per provider), risk of fraud reported in statewide coverage, and whether a Child Care House could operate nonstandard shifts (including 24‑hour models used elsewhere). Local stakeholders estimated Long Prairie needs roughly 150–190 additional slots and about 400–450 countywide; commissioners asked whether families could afford care without subsidies. Jeff Andrews and local team members outlined options for scholarships, Head Start/TCCAP programs and provider business models intended to balance affordability and operator earnings.

The board requested a copy of the presenter’s slide deck and said staff will continue local fundraising and a grant conversation with state DEED (a grant up to $600,000 was mentioned as a potential opportunity). Jeff Andrews said the project is proceeding through Phase 1 confirmation with a Phase 2 public messaging and operator selection planned in February.