Input sought on the development of an Early Childhood Development Center at Shimer Square in Mount Carroll, IL
Information as of 8/22/2023
Family friendly services such as quality childcare can contribute to an environment of work-life support and can help raise the profile and attractiveness of Mount Carroll and Shimer Square. It is well known that existing childcare centers in the community have been operating at capacity for years with a long waiting list.
In 2022, GROWTH was awarded $800,000 in grant funds through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to develop a childcare center at its Shimer Square campus. Shimer Square is a multi-phased, mixed-use development by GROWTH that encompasses a mixture of housing, business, and community facilities. In January 2023, GROWTH sought to hire a consultant to conduct a childcare feasibility study. The City of Mount Carroll agreed to fund the required market study early in 2023 and GROWTH commissioned Triangle 2 Solutions, an experienced childcare center market analyst, to investigate the potential services and physical space that will be needed for a new childcare center and early childhood programs to serve the area. The assessment will determine and ultimately enable GROWTH to successfully develop a new construction, childcare facility at its Shimer Square campus.
An executive summary of the feasibility study shows a very strong indication and comprehensive picture of the current and forecasted demand for childcare services and that Shimer Square fit the market for a childcare center to serve residents living within a 30 minutes radius.
GROWTH has a pending $2 million request to the City of Mount Carroll that would allow GROWTH to capitalize on that contribution which would support not only the childcare center, but also create additional for-sale housing at Shimer Square with corresponding downpayment assistance, launch a city-wide homebuyer assistance program, provide administrative support for the childcare center, and provide gap financing towards construction costs. That request remains pending.
In 2022, GROWTH was awarded $800,000 in grant funds through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to develop a childcare center at its Shimer Square campus. Shimer Square is a multi-phased, mixed-use development by GROWTH that encompasses a mixture of housing, business, and community facilities. In January 2023, GROWTH sought to hire a consultant to conduct a childcare feasibility study. The City of Mount Carroll agreed to fund the required market study early in 2023 and GROWTH commissioned Triangle 2 Solutions, an experienced childcare center market analyst, to investigate the potential services and physical space that will be needed for a new childcare center and early childhood programs to serve the area. The assessment will determine and ultimately enable GROWTH to successfully develop a new construction, childcare facility at its Shimer Square campus.
An executive summary of the feasibility study shows a very strong indication and comprehensive picture of the current and forecasted demand for childcare services and that Shimer Square fit the market for a childcare center to serve residents living within a 30 minutes radius.
GROWTH has a pending $2 million request to the City of Mount Carroll that would allow GROWTH to capitalize on that contribution which would support not only the childcare center, but also create additional for-sale housing at Shimer Square with corresponding downpayment assistance, launch a city-wide homebuyer assistance program, provide administrative support for the childcare center, and provide gap financing towards construction costs. That request remains pending.
