County development authority presents childcare study, YMCA proposes Shepherd University site
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Summary
A Jefferson County Development Authority update to Harpers Ferry council highlighted an average 17-month wait for childcare in ZIP 25425 and introduced a YMCA proposal to remodel a building on Shepherd University's campus; JCDA and a Shepherd fellow asked for town engagement and noted an estimated $900,000 capital need for the conversion.
Daryl Coles of the Jefferson County Development Authority told Harpers Ferry's town council on April 13 that childcare is a workforce issue for the county and asked for local engagement as the authority updates a countywide study.
Hunter Mize, a Shepherd University fellow who updated the 2023 study, said he contacted 52 childcare facilities and 17 participated in the update. He reported an average waiting period across the county and said Harpers Ferry's ZIP code (25425) currently showed the longest average wait locally: about one year and five months. Mize said long waits are pushing parents to submit applications long before a child is born or to seek childcare in neighboring counties.
Coles described the YMCA's interest in converting an older building on or near Shepherd University into a childcare facility and said the YMCA has presented initial plans to the JCDA. Mize and Coles said the YMCA estimates roughly $900,000 would be required to remodel the old dining hall into usable childcare space.
Council members asked procedural and location questions and expressed willingness to work in a small group with JCDA and the YMCA to get more detailed information. The mayor offered to assign a staff contact to follow up, and Coles said he would provide more documentation and a contact for YMCA representatives. No formal funding or commitments from the town were made at the meeting; council asked JCDA to return with specifics and suggested bringing YMCA representatives to a future meeting for a fuller briefing.
The JCDA presenters urged residents and officials to consider childcare not only as a family need but as a critical element of workforce participation and economic development across Jefferson County.
