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County tables childcare center grant/loan applications
By Laura Bacon
NT Staff Writer
ATLANTIC - A public hearing concerning an application for a Community Development Block Grant to construct an early childhood development center in Atlantic lead to a heated discussion over costs and other things at the Cass County Supervisors meeting on Wednesday.
The supervisors decided to table action on the issue until next week to give themselves time to go over information about the application and a childcare survey that had been done as part of the planning for the childcare center.
John McCurdy, of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) who is helping SWIFS put together the grant applications, said the supervisors had agreed in July to act as a pass through for Southwest Iowa Family Services (SWIFS) which was applying for a $600,000 CDBG grant and approximately $288,300 USDA-RD loan to assist with the construction of the childcare facility.
He said the USDA-RD loan was listed as a 40 year loan at 4.5 percent interest - though there could be $50,000 in grant funds available every year, lowering the total amount needing to be repaid.
In addition, SWIFS would have to come up with $100,000 to complete the project.
The plan calls for a building on the Lincoln School grounds, north of the Lincoln School gym, with access to a planned parking lot from Seventh Street, and a one-way exit from the parking lot onto Linn Street.
The building would be about 5,345 square feet in size, with an estimated cost of $748,300, with $75,000 in the budget for equipment and furnishings, for a total cost of $823,300. Professional fees and permits were expected to run $115,000, and an additional $50,000 was set aside for contingencies. The total project costs are listed at $988,300.
The facility would have areas for infant care, toddlers, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and preschoolers, with office, reception, sickroom, laundry, restroom and mechanical areas, as well as playground areas outside and room for expansion, according to information from a handout by McCurdy.
Some county residents were confused about whether this was an Atlantic or Cass County project, and Supervisor Chuck Rieken said he'd had area residents raise concerns.
"When the county has to apply, then to the populace, (it looks like this) a Cass County project, not Atlantic," Rieken said, noting county residents had wanted to know if this was being done as a county project, why aren't other facilities in other communities being considered?
The project is not being pursued by either the city of Atlantic or the county, but by the private group, SWIFS, and no tax money from either entity has been earmarked for the project. In the case of the grant and loans, the county is merely acting as a "pass-through" agent and has no ties to the actual project.
For complete story see the News Telegraph
NT Staff Writer
ATLANTIC - A public hearing concerning an application for a Community Development Block Grant to construct an early childhood development center in Atlantic lead to a heated discussion over costs and other things at the Cass County Supervisors meeting on Wednesday.
The supervisors decided to table action on the issue until next week to give themselves time to go over information about the application and a childcare survey that had been done as part of the planning for the childcare center.
John McCurdy, of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) who is helping SWIFS put together the grant applications, said the supervisors had agreed in July to act as a pass through for Southwest Iowa Family Services (SWIFS) which was applying for a $600,000 CDBG grant and approximately $288,300 USDA-RD loan to assist with the construction of the childcare facility.
He said the USDA-RD loan was listed as a 40 year loan at 4.5 percent interest - though there could be $50,000 in grant funds available every year, lowering the total amount needing to be repaid.
In addition, SWIFS would have to come up with $100,000 to complete the project.
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The building would be about 5,345 square feet in size, with an estimated cost of $748,300, with $75,000 in the budget for equipment and furnishings, for a total cost of $823,300. Professional fees and permits were expected to run $115,000, and an additional $50,000 was set aside for contingencies. The total project costs are listed at $988,300.
The facility would have areas for infant care, toddlers, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and preschoolers, with office, reception, sickroom, laundry, restroom and mechanical areas, as well as playground areas outside and room for expansion, according to information from a handout by McCurdy.
Some county residents were confused about whether this was an Atlantic or Cass County project, and Supervisor Chuck Rieken said he'd had area residents raise concerns.
"When the county has to apply, then to the populace, (it looks like this) a Cass County project, not Atlantic," Rieken said, noting county residents had wanted to know if this was being done as a county project, why aren't other facilities in other communities being considered?
The project is not being pursued by either the city of Atlantic or the county, but by the private group, SWIFS, and no tax money from either entity has been earmarked for the project. In the case of the grant and loans, the county is merely acting as a "pass-through" agent and has no ties to the actual project.
For complete story see the News Telegraph
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Donna Harms wrote on Nov 3, 2007 1:45 PM: