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Pine County board authorizes last‑minute DEED childcare retention grant application
Summary
Economic development coordinator Leslie Sauter asked the board to authorize submission of a same‑day DEED grant application to help local childcare centers retain staff through training and rating improvements; the board approved the request, noting potential to retain about 159–177 slots and 13 staff if funded.
The Pine County Board authorized county staff to submit and accept a same‑day DEED childcare retention grant application aimed at helping local child care centers train and retain staff.
Leslie Sauter, Pine County economic development coordinator, described prior county efforts that expanded childcare capacity in 2024 (work with Pine Tech, Hinckley–Finlayson schools and Willow River Center that added about 108 slots) and referenced a 2021–2022 county childcare study that estimated a 300–350 slot deficit.
Sauter said two centers approached the county with needs this week: Pine City Early Learning Academy requested about $100,000 and indicated it could provide a 50% match; Quarry Kids requested approximately $31,250 and may be exempt from a match because it serves a high‑poverty area. Sauter stressed the grant would focus on staff training to raise star ratings and make centers eligible for scholarship funding that helps family affordability.
Board members queried potential slot coverage and were told the two centers together could retain roughly 159–177 child care slots and about 13 staff. The board voted to authorize the county administrator and board chair to execute necessary documents and submit the application before the DEED deadline.
The motion passed on a roll call (Chair Moore: aye; Commissioner Nelson: yes; Commissioner Waldheim: yes; Commissioner Ludwig: aye; Commissioner Holland: yes). The transcript records letters of support from employers and community partners were included with the application; no award decision was recorded at the meeting.
