A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Friday morning for the Boone County Public Safety childcare center in Columbia.
Boone County presiding commissioner Kip Kendrick notes it’s thought to be the first purpose-built public safety childcare center in the nation. Once built, the facility will make 24-hour, seven-day childcare available for first responders. Construction is expected to start in late spring with the center expected to open by mid-2026.
In October, Boone County commissioners approved the receipt of $2.5 million in state funding to help build the new center. The state funds will cover about half of the costs. Commissioner Kendrick says access to affordable childcare is at a crisis level across the nation. He says that’s exacerbated for first responders due to their unpredictable schedules and the limited hours of most child care centers.
