GCELC groundbreaking set and contractor approved

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Greene County Early Learning Center’s (GCELC) new building is set for Friday, August 20 at 10 am at the site, 306 South Vine.  The public is invited to attend the groundbreaking and refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

At a special meeting of the GCELC board of directors on Monday, Aug. 9, Harold Pike (HPC, LLC) of Ames was approved as the contractor with the low bid of $2,015,000 to construct the 9,484 square foot building.  “The contractor is very excited about this building designed specifically for early childhood care and education. We’re all looking forward to getting it started,” said board co-president, Jacque Andrew.

“So many entities have helped move this project forward and we are most grateful to all of them.  While leadership grant funding from Grow Greene County and the commitment from the Greene County Board of Supervisors jumpstarted the fundraising more than one year ago, this vision will become reality thanks to the amazing support of dozens of businesses and individuals from throughout the county,” said Andrew.  “A key piece to the project was also the assurance of the prime building site which we thankfully received from the Greene County School board.”

“As the Greene County Early Learning Center celebrates its 16th anniversary of providing care to area children on August 15, we know there are more individuals and businesses that would like to be part of such a significant project and asset to our area.   On behalf of the children and families served by the center, we welcome their contributions,” said fundraising co-chair/co-president, Bill Monroe.

A Childcare Challenge grant from the State of Iowa for $469,941 was received by GCELC in March, 2021 to help expand the availability of childcare.  The new center will increase its capacity to 150 children.

GCELC is currently the only Department of Human Services “Star 4” rated center in the county demonstrating its quality commitment to staff education and training; health and safety measures and environmental practices to benefit the children it serves.  When the new building is complete, the center would be eligible for the top Star 5 rating.

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Calendar

November 2024

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1
  • Java and Juice + Ribbon Cutting @ Root of Beauty
  • "When Electricity Came to Greene County"
  • "Disaster at 39,000 Feet" Enfys McMurry
  • Pheasants Forever Annual Banquet
2
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open
  • Dia de los Muertos
3
  • Bomgaars Ladies Night
  • Ladies' Night at Bomgaars
4
  • Toddler Storytime
5
  • BPO Does Election Day Soup Luncheon
  • Brown Bag-Book Bundle
6
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open
7
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Women Managing Farm Finances
8
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Jingle Journey
  • Oh! What Fun - Holiday Open Houses
  • Country Blessings: Holiday Hoopla
  • Ancestry After Hours (Ages 18+)
  • Greene County High School: Night Chills
  • Greene County High School: Night Chills
9
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Jingle Journey
  • Country Blessings: Holiday Hoopla
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open
  • Tannenbaum Table Runner
10
  • A Talk by: Jacob Fernolz
11
  • Veterans Day Breakfast
  • VFW Ice Cream Social
12
  • Brown Bag-Book Bundle
  • Women Managing Farm Finances
13
  • Big Acai Bowls
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open
  • Teen Scary Movie Night
14
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Women Managing Farm Finances
  • Greene County Community Theatre: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged
15
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Best Practices for Wintering Trees
  • Java & Juice at GCP Iowa
  • Rotary Auction
  • Greene County Community Theatre: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged
16
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Jefferson Fall Spectacular
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open
  • Macrame Ornament Workshop
  • Greene County Community Theatre: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged
  • Teen Night Out with Board Games, Sports, and Snacks
17
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Ekphrasis
18
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Dino-vermber Day
  • Toddler Storytime
  • Can You Dig It? Dinosaur Program
19
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Brown Bag-Book Bundle
  • Women Managing Farm Finances
20
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open
  • Teen Book Club
21
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
22
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Holiday Open House- Greene Goods
  • Java and Juice: Winter Festival
  • Fourth Friday Fireside: Chad Elliot
23
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open
  • Holiday Open House- Greene Goods
24
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Holiday Open House- Greene Goods
25
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
26
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Brown Bag-Book Bundle
27
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open
28
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
29
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
30
  • Home Holiday Market
  • Auxiliary Holiday of Lights
  • Greene County Historical Museum: Open