Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center receives $40,000 grant for childcare

Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center will engage large corporations, small businesses and entrepreneurs to better understand how child care challenges impact.

For the last few years, a lack of childcare services has been an issue discussed amongst Putnam County officials. 

Now, thanks in part to a $40,000 grant by Duke Energy and the Indiana Economic Development Association, solutions may be coming. 

The Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center and Greencastle City Councilman Vincent Aguirre were notified recently that a $40,000 grant to address workforce issues of affordable child care is coming. 

The grant was part of $150 thousand in grants to four organizations and projects aimed at improving access to affordable childcare. With the grant, the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center will engage large corporations, small businesses and entrepreneurs to better understand how child care challenges impact their operations and the decision for employees to live and work in the Greencastle and Putnam County area. Through focus groups, stakeholder engagement and other discussions, the initiative will identify innovative solutions to enhance childcare capacity, support economic development and help bolster the local labor force. 

"Many employees struggle to find available and affordable child care options, leading some to leave the workforce, commute to neighboring counties or live elsewhere, all of which reduces Putnam County's labor force and economic vitality," said Aguirre. 

Aguirre helped lead the application process for the grant.

"I first received the grant via email in the fall, I believe, but, at the time, it was my impression that only an economic development organization can apply for it so I forwarded it on, but did not intend on applying. More recently, former mayor Bill Dory sent it to me again, and having just been added to the economic development board, I realized I could explore applying on behalf of the board," Aguirre said. 

Erin Schneider, managing director of economic development at Duke Energy, echoed those sentiments, adding Duke wants to help remove barriers for employers and employees. 

"We know that Indiana's child care challenges are complex, and we hope this grant will help Greencastle and Putnam County develop the solutions needed to support working parents and the local economy. We are looking forward to seeing how their work removes significant barriers for parents and caretakers and advance in the workforce," Schneider said. 

The funding will also assist in the establishment of a coalition, which will be designed to equip existing early childhood programs, as well as the people who support them, with resources and coaching enabling both leaders and children an opportunity for success.

"We are extremely grateful to have Duke Energy and the IEDAF supporting our work to bring a structured effort to addressing these challenges through a data driven approach that will engage a broad range of stakeholders who haven't traditionally been involved in the past," Aguirre said. 

Aguirre said the grant will help fulfill a critical need in Greencastle and Putnam County.

"I think it is important that we find ways to address the child care shortage and affordability crisis across our community and state. This is a small step towards finding long term solutions, but I am happy to collaborate with the work the community foundation is doing, and, hopefully, make tangible progress in our community," Aguirre said.