Kelly announces $10M+ for multi-purpose child care facilities in Hays, Lawrence and Emporia

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund announced Wednesday the first round of Capital Projects Fund Accelerator awards, which will go to three Kansas communities to build or renovate multi-purpose community facilities.

According to a news release from the governor’s office, these facilities will create 313 new licensed child care slots; provide access to high-speed internet; and house programs that facilitate work, education, and health care monitoring.

“Kansas parents need safe, affordable child care so they can join the workforce without worrying how they’ll make ends meet,” Kelly said. “That’s why we’re investing in these community centers, which will offer more options for child care along with providing essential health, educational, and technological services.”

The CPF Accelerator Request for Proposals remains open for a second round of submissions through Dec. 18.

Approximately $28 million remains available to continue supporting the expansion of multi-purpose community facilities that meet all program criteria. Combined with the Child Care Capacity Accelerator Grant programs previously announced this year, the state is on track to infuse more than $94 million towards expanding access to child care.

These grants are made possible using American Rescue Plan Act funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund, which awarded $40 million to Kansas for this program in early September.

The American Rescue Plan Act — a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package — was passed by Congress in 2021 and signed by President Joe Biden later that year.

Republican Representatives Jake LaTurner and Tracey Mann, whose districts include Emporia, Hays and Lawrence, joined the rest of the GOP en masse in voting against the American Rescue Plan Act, along with Rep. Ron Estes, whose district includes Cowley County.

Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall also voted against.

“We’ve been thrilled to see applicants from all sectors for both of these funding opportunities – employers, local economic development, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, and of course child care providers,” said Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. “We appreciate our partners, both at the community level at U.S. Treasury, for joining us as we seek to address the multi-faceted challenges facing families with young children today.”

Award grantees include:

Kansas was previously awarded $83.5 million from the Capital Projects Fund to build reliable broadband infrastructure and extend high-speed internet to more than 24,500 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other public institutions in underserved counties across the state.

A portion of Kansas’ $40 million award for the CPF Accelerator will be used to administer the program.

Click here to learn more about the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator.