Posted February 08, 2024 01:51pm
(KAIR)--Atchison is on the list of locations set to receive a portion of nearly $28 million for the purpose of increased childcare.
According to a release from the office of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, the funds come through Capital Projects Fund Accelerator awards, with 458 new child care slots to be created through the millions of dollars.
The release explains that a total of seven Kansas communities are named as award recipients, with the funding to be used to "build or renovate multi-purpose community facilities that create new licensed child care slots; provide access to high-speed internet; and house programs that facilitate work, education, and health care monitoring."
St. Benedict's Abbey, of Atchison, is named to receive just under $5 million for renovation of the former Youth Center, located on the city's North 2nd Street, which the release says will create 140 child care slots.
The former Youth Center, through the awarded funds, will, the release says, include a career closet, care coordination services, and 24-hour child care.
St. Benedict's Abbey purchased the former correctional complex site turned now-closed school through a past, Atchison County tax sale.
According to the release, Kansas was awarded $40 million for the program in early September through the grants which are made possible using American Rescue Plan funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund.