Luverne Celebrates New Child Care Center with Community Support and Congressional Funding

LUVERNE, MINN. — On Wednesday, community members in Luverne gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Kids Rock! Child Care Center, a facility that has emerged as a vital resource for families in the region. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the center demonstrate the culmination of considerable effort by various stakeholders, including local officials and legislators.

The development of the Kids Rock! Child Care Center was made possible in part through the efforts of U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, who played pivotal roles in securing .6 million in Congressionally Directed Spending. This funding has been instrumental in establishing a facility that now offers 186 spots for child care, addressing a pressing need identified by families in the area.

Mayor Pat Baustian of Luverne highlighted the center’s impact, noting that its opening has already contributed to family relocations back to the area. “Twenty families have returned to Southwest Minnesota to take advantage of the now available child care spots,” he remarked, emphasizing the positive ripple effects of enhanced child care services in the community.

Senator Amy Klobuchar acknowledged the essential link between housing, child care, and economic stability in rural America. “You cannot do that without housing and child care, especially in rural America,” she noted, advocating for focused efforts to reduce costs associated with these critical services. Klobuchar believes that by addressing these core needs, communities can foster an attractive environment for families and workers.

Despite the advancements in Luverne, child care costs remain a significant concern across the nation, having surged over 200 percent in the past three decades. Senator Tina Smith further underscored the challenge, asserting that families should not be burdened with child care costs exceeding 7% of their income. In an effort to alleviate this financial strain, she has supported legislation aimed at subsidizing child care expenses for families, similar to existing support for education.

The Kids Rock! Child Care Center stands as a testament to collaborative efforts among the City of Luverne, Rock County, the local community, and federal funding sources, which together contributed approximately million to the project. The center is set to officially welcome families starting June 2, providing essential support for young children and peace of mind for working parents in the area.

The opening of this center represents not only a local milestone but also a broader commitment to improving child care accessibility, a vital component for fostering community growth and sustainability in rural Minnesota and beyond.