PDF of press release August 16, 2022: ChildCareARPAPressRelease
In July 2021, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce embarked on building the business case for affordable, quality and accessible
child care for our community through a 4‐month study and action plan development. Action teams formed in February of
2022 and are producing results. Overall, 500 child care openings have been identified to date which should come online in the
next 12 – 16 months….
“Two of our initiative supporters and members received word that they had received their full‐ask grants for ARPA dollars to expand services in the Valley from the Child Care Innovation and Infrastructure Grant Committee. The Bird’s Nest has received $1 million dollars to expand their capacity as well as Immanuel Lutheran Communities receiving $869,770 for their child care center,“ shared Lorraine Clarno, President/CEO of the Kalispell Chamber.
“The lack of workforce continues to be our member’s number one priority and child care plays a big part in this crisis. If our
initiative has played the smallest part in bringing stakeholders together and driving solutions, we are thrilled,” said Lorraine
Clarno. “We have much more work to do but want to thank and celebrate both The Birds Nest and Immanuel Lutheran
Communities for their leadership in bringing more access, quality and affordable child care to our community.”