Mapleton, Minn. – The Mapleton Economic Development Authority (EDA) is excited to announce that it has been selected as one of 25 organizations across Minnesota to receive a FY25 Child Care Economic Development Grant through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The $175,120 grant will help fund the Child Care House initiative—an innovative, shovel-ready project developed by Business of Child Care to address the critical shortage of child care services in this rural community.
"This project represents a significant step forward in ensuring Mapleton remains a place where families can thrive," said Mayor Jeff Annis. "By expanding access to high-quality child care, we are not only meeting an immediate need but also strengthening our local economy and making our community an even more attractive place to live and work. We are proud to lead this effort and bring meaningful, long-term solutions to our residents."
Dynamic Funding to Support a Scalable Solution
The estimated total cost of the Child Care House project, including the acquisition of the lot, is $299,000. While the state grant provides a strong foundation, the remaining investment will be addressed through an existing funding roadmap developed as part of the turnkey effort supporting Child Care House and led by project partner Rural Pathways.
This roadmap prioritizes 15 distinct funding areas and sources, ensuring that each opportunity is strategically aligned with the awarded grant to optimize fund utilization, reduce overall investment needs, and maximize available funding. By leveraging this structured funding approach, the project not only strengthens its financial sustainability but also enhances affordability—allowing the selected family child care provider to offer competitive tuition rates, making high-quality child care accessible and viable for local families over the long term.
In addition to Business of Child Care, other key contributors to this turnkey project include Coldwell Banker Commercial Fisher Group, which is overseeing the entire physical development process—from site acquisition and preparation to construction management and final delivery of the Child Care House. Lakeshore Learning and Rainbow Play Systems provide high-quality learning materials and equipment to create a well-equipped, engaging early learning environment.
Meeting Mapleton’s Growing Demand
The growing demand for child care spans multiple communities, including Mapleton, Amboy, Good Thunder, and Minnesota Lake, as more families seek reliable child care solutions. Currently, the area has one child care center and ten family child care providers, offering a total of 138 licensed spaces. However, school-year enrollment for children aged 0-4 has increased from 270 in 2019-2020 to 345 in 2022-2023, placing additional pressure on existing providers.
Recognizing child care as a critical driver of community growth and economic stability, Mapleton leaders have identified an opportunity to expand access while also strengthening the financial viability of existing providers.
Child Care House: A Purpose-Built Solution for Mapleton
Designed as a replicable model for rural communities, Child Care House provides a right-sized, scalable solution that supports Mapleton’s workforce and economic development goals.
- Location: A rural community of 1,674 residents in Blue Earth County
- Site: A vacant infill lot several blocks from the local school
- Capacity: Up to 12 children in a licensed family child care setting
- Deployment Timeline: Nine months
- Project Management: Business of Child Care with support from Coldwell Banker Commercial Fisher Group and Rural Pathways.
This initiative supports the community several ways:
- Support Workforce Participation – Expanding reliable child care options enables parents to remain in or re-enter the workforce, boosting economic activity.
- Promote Resident Recruitment & Retention – Quality child care serves as a magnet for young families, increasing Mapleton’s attractiveness as a place to live and work.
- Foster Economic Growth – Child care is a critical service that supports local employers, businesses, and long-term community sustainability.
A Blueprint for the Future
This initiative builds on several years of planning and early efforts to assess community needs, a process originally supported by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). By supporting early efforts to evaluate child care challenges and identify sustainable solutions, SMIF helped establish a framework for long-term child care expansion that aligns with Mapleton’s economic development strategy.
Now, with DEED’s $175,120 grant and ongoing contributions through Mapleton’s evolving funding roadmap, the Child Care House stands as a model for rural child care expansion—one that is thoughtfully designed to fit the size and needs of the community. More than just increasing child care capacity, this initiative is about bringing child care closer to home, ensuring families have the support they need while strengthening the economic future of Mapleton and the surrounding region.
Learn More
For the official announcement of the grant awards, visit the Minnesota Governor’s Office Press Releases.
For more information about the Mapleton Child Care House initiative, contact Mayor Jeff Annis at mayor.annis [at] mapletonmn.gov (mayor[dot]annis[at]mapletonmn[dot]gov)
To learn more about Child Care House, including visuals and concept details, contact Jeff Andrews, Business of Child Care, at jeff [at] businessofchildcare.com (jeff[at]businessofchildcare[dot]com)