While the funding source is still uncertain, Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jeanine McKenna says they are committed to providing additional childcare services to the Emporia community.
McKenna’s comments came as part of a recent installment of KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Monday, nearly a month after the USD 253 Emporia Board of Education approved an extension of the chamber’s closing deadline on the Maynard building. The chamber is seeking a grant through the Department of Children and Families to assist with the purchase and renovations of the building to establish a 24/7 childcare facility.
As of Monday, McKenna says there is still no timeline for when they could hear back on the status of that grant.
McKenna tells KVOE News that while they are awaiting word on the grant’s status, there are conversations happening on all other opportunities that could be available to help purchase the building.
The Board of Education approved the chamber’s bid to purchase the facility back in April provided it could secure $2.5 to $3 million to support the purchase and renovations of the building. Back in July, it was announced the chamber had not received an accelerator grant it was seeking to support staffing and operational costs.
The chamber had originally requested a 30 day extension of the closing date with the board of education then approving a 60-day extension which expires September 14.
