ST. PAUL – Otter Tail County has won a $160,000 state grant to increase the availability of quality childcare in the region, an initiative Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, supported and worked with local officials to advance.
The grant award will allow Otter Tail County to provide sub-grants and technical assistance/mentorship to new and existing childcare providers, targeting Perham, New York Mills, Fergus Falls and beyond. Rasmusson said this initiative will create around 200 new licensed childcare slots in Otter Tail County, with local businesses contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to enable growth.
“This grant will benefit all communities across Otter Tail County and will support both childcare centers and family providers,” Rasmusson said.
Rasmusson stated the benefits of this grant are far-reaching, beyond families that will be directly served.
“A lack of childcare options is not just a challenge for families with young children, it is detrimental to our local workforce by making it difficult for us to attract and maintain young, talented workers,” Rasmusson said. “Special thanks to DEED Commissioner Steve Grove, DEED staff, and officials from Otter Tail County for their efforts to help make this grant come to fruition.”
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