In Ottawa County, between the age of zero and five, there’s one childcare slot for every two children. A lack of available childcare is a barrier to job seeking parents and employers in desperate need of workers.
“So, Ottawa County has seen from its business leaders they’ve heard repeatedly that childcare is one of the number one issues they're facing in terms of attracting and retaining talent.”
Travis Williams is CEO of nonprofit ODC Network. Formed in 2000, its mission is advancing outdoor education and conservation. In 2013 it began offering nature-based preschool. It sought a portion of the $57 million Ottawa County received in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to address the issue.
“In total, we asked for $7.5 million in ARPA funds and we had over $30 million in matching funds from area organizations and businesses that wanted to leverage the ARPA dollars to create what would be 1,000 new childcare slots or spaces across the county.”
The Ottawa County Intermediate School District will manage early childhood services. Its assisting with 200 slots dedicated to in-home facilities catering to rural community needs.
Williams says ODC organizing with 11 interested businesses identifying five locations where additional childcare facilities can be constructed. One is the shovel-ready 43,000 square-foot Gentex Discovery Preschool to be constructed on-site at Zeeland-based Gentex Corporation. It will accommodate 250 children for first and second shift workers.
Attracting childcare workers is yet another issue being addressed. The industry has historically underpaid its workers. But from the pool of resources, ODC Network is raising its hourly salary to $18-$20 an hour seeking the most qualified workers.
