IGNITE Innovation Center to be built with $4.38 M grant

Great Bend will receive more than $4 million to build the IGNITE Innovation Center, a multi-purpose community facility, Great Bend Economic Development announced. The facility will expand licensed childcare slots, provide high-speed internet access, and accommodate programs that enhance work, education, and health-care monitoring. GBED issued a news release Wednesday afternoon, where its president, Sara Arnberger, expressed enthusiasm. “We are excited to bring this one-of-a-kind center to Barton County,” she stated. The center addresses the pressing demand for overnight childcare in Barton County, supporting the local workforce’s growth. In a significant move to address the growing childcare needs in Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly, in collaboration with the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, has announced the allocation of nearly $28 million in Capital Projects Fund Accelerator (CPF Accelerator) awards. This substantial investment will result in the creation of 458 new childcare slots across seven communities in the state. Great Bend, a key recipient, will receive $4,382,493 through Great Bend Economic Development (GBED) and Advancing Barton County Childcare (ABCC). These funds will be utilized to establish an innovative community hub, featuring overnight childcare facilities, a makerspace, a workforce center, and health screening services. Collaborating partners from the University of Kansas Health Systems, KansasWorks, Barton Community College, and ABCC have joined forces to introduce services currently unavailable in the region. Governor Laura Kelly highlighted the crucial role of accessible childcare in supporting families, stating, “There’s no question that more Kansas families need access to childcare to support their child’s development, enter the workforce, and contribute to our economy.” The IGNITE Innovation Center, a collaborative effort with various partners, aims to address local workforce and childcare needs, adding 28 childcare slots to the area. Funded through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund awarded $40 million to Kansas in early September. Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, expressed excitement about the projects, stating, “These are exciting projects that will improve the quality of life, support job seekers, provide innovative resources for continuing education, and improve health outcomes for families.” Chair of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet, Don Hineman, commended the collaborative efforts of communities across Kansas, stating, “It is impressive to see communities come together to develop such innovative approaches to meeting their childcare needs. It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to support these efforts.” For more information about GBED visit www.gbedinc.com, call 620-796-2407. Sara Arnberger, president of Great Bend Economic Development Inc., can be reached via email at [email protected]. For questions about ABCC, contact Arnberger or visit www.gbedinc.com/abcc.