Yes, Colfax-Mingo CSD is a partner in this, but funding does not go through the school district. The district will provide the land for this project and also house 2 preschool rooms in the center. The two preschool rooms will move out of C-M Elementary, opening up much needed space in the building. This will allow the district to have a dedicated library space again and re-open the stage that was converted to a classroom many years ago. It will also save the district from having to build on at the elementary, thus saving residents tax dollars.
CEDCO Board of Directors is made up of seven volunteers including: Tim Salmon, David Mast, Larry Opfer, Kathy Dickerson, Deb Hodgson, Becca Stonehocker and George Dickerson
All funds donated to CEDCO are tax deductible and go directly to the childcare center fund. All Directors are volunteers, so there is no compensation for their work on this project. Your support of this project is critical to make this happen and help to positively impact our community. We know that access to childcare helps local businesses, families, the school district and the community. The childcare project is the first priority of CEDCO. Once this project is complete, the work will shift to housing development.
Our grant from the state of Iowa is for 1/2 of the toal project. CEDCO is responsible for raising the additional funds. Funds are not raised through the city of Colfax or Colfax-Mingo CSD. Once CEDCO reaches their 1/2 of the $3.4 million dollars, the state will provide the funds.
Many community groups/businesses applied for this grant. Our grant was funded for a variety of reasons including: lack of childcare in the community, support from local businesses, city of Colfax, Colfax-Mingo CSD and Representative Jon Dunwell. Governor Reynolds also offered her support for our project.
The site for project includes part of the playground area at Colfax-Mingo Elementary, as well as the property at 16 S Locust, a residence Colfax-Mingo CSD purchased previously for the purpose of a future center.
No, since this project funding goes directly through CEDCO, our non-profit group will manage all the funds and pay for the entire project. Donations collected from the private groups and individuals will be 1/2 of the funds, paired with grant funds.
If we don't raise the funds, we will not be able to utilize the grant money from the state.
Yes, if we work together. A community much smaller than Colfax recently raised over $1 million for this same project in 31 days, so it can be done. Every other grant award group has been able to raise the funds in past projects.
We have around 90 days to raise the funds, the project will go out for bid in May and we will begin construction in July of 2025. The project will be completed and opened by July 2026, per grant requirements.
It all start by spreading the word, getting donations and support for the project. Every dollar counts.
Donations are accepted via check, cash or online. Checks are payable to CEDCO and can be mailed to PO Box 134 Colfax, IA 50054 or dropped off at Colfax-Mingo CSD district office located at 1000 N Walnut Street, Colfax. Online payments through our crowdsourcing platform are easy to make and we encourage everyone to share this to spread the word to get more donations.
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