The public is invited to attend a ceremonial groundbreaking tomorrow (Friday) morning at the future site of the Greene County Early Learning Center’s (GCELC) new facility in Jefferson. The center’s board of directors approved a $2.015 million bid from Harold Pike Construction of Ames earlier this month to build the approximately 9,500 square foot structure. More than half of the funding for the project is sourced from grants: $469,941 Childcare Challenge grant, $500,000 from Grow Greene County and $250,000 from the Greene County Supervisors. The remainder was raised through donations from local businesses and residents. The groundbreaking ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at 306 South Vine Street, which is a property donated to the effort by the Greene County Community School District Board of Education. GCELC Co-President, Bill Monroe, says, “As the Greene County Early Learning Center celebrates its 16th anniversary of providing care to area children, we know there are more individuals and businesses that would like to be a part of such a significant project and asset to our area. On behalf of the children and families served by the center, we welcome their contributions.” Construction is expected to begin near the end of August and will increase capacity to 150 children when completed in summer of 2022.
