Onamia Childcare Center (Kidz Zone) ribbon cutting ceremony — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
In a heartwarming tale of community collaboration, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV) unveils the Onamia Childcare Center — a remarkable project that seeks to address the childcare crisis in the region. Following years of analyzing how childcare can play a role in supporting the workforce, partnership development, and community engagement, doors were opened earlier this month, accompanied by the laughter and energy of children. MLCV, functioning as the Developer, is committed to offering families the assistance and resilience they need to thrive.
Onamia Childcare Center in the Making
Between 2000 and 2020, greater Minnesota lost more than 20,000 childcare slots, a net loss of 17.4% - a statistic shared by the Center for Rural Policy and Development. Their research on childcare and the workforce was the pivotal reason why MLCV decided to enter this new endeavor. (Stay tuned for a blog release next month as we dive into this topic and chat with Marnie Verner, VP of Research & Operations).
Discussions with the Mille Lacs Health System sparked conversations about how we, an organization without previous business experience in childcare, could help in this ongoing struggle. We learned it was affecting our community, impacting families’ ability to operate a healthy home and work life, and we knew that was an area we could and must get involved in. MLCV began by seeking local, available spaces suitable for childcare. This development phase lasted several years as hurdles emerged, including the need for a lead on the project with a vision to see it through.
Beth Gruber, MLCV’s Director of Planning and Community Engagement, standing in front of the future Onamia Childcare Center (Kidz Zone) building
With a sharp keenness to bring this idea into existence, Beth Gruber, MLCV’s Director of Planning and Community Engagement, catapulted into action. Through integral communication, trusted relationships, and compromise, Beth solidified the location – an unused building owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Immediately, it was seen as an opportunity to repurpose, breathing new life into its bones. The standout detail? Its location is steps away from our Red Willow Estates workforce housing townhomes. With her heaps of creative energy and ideas, Beth quickly connected the funding dots and locked down significant wins and partnerships, which soon after would be born, Onamia Childcare Center.
Funding and Partnership Support
The Onamia Childcare Center is a product of robust relationships — a sterling image of what can result from nurturing partnerships and working together.
First, Mille Lacs Health System introduced us to our now tenant, Kidz Zone. We found they were a trusted provider already serving households in the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy, with Garrison and Aitkin locations. Many of ours and our subsidiary families vouched that they use them with a high level of assurance. It soon became a no-brainer, Kidz Zone, who was at that time hoping to expand in Onamia, would now have that chance.
The entire project was funded through grants from the Minnesota Department of Economic Development (DEED) and the Initiative Foundation. Beth applied for a grant from DEED for the over half a million needed to fuel the project. Incredibly, she received the full ask. With their contribution was the notable request for an additional local agency to be part of the impact. So, the Initiative Foundation stepped up to the occasion.
The Mille Lacs Health System equipped us in more ways than one. With a nearly brand-new kitchen at their hospital complex, they will cater fresh meals daily to the center.
Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
The collaboration continues with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, allowing us the space to get creative. Leasing with them enabled us to stay within the Tribal Economy, serving Tribal and non-Tribal families. Due to Reservation guidelines, the Band wouldn’t be able to lease to non-Tribal organizations like Kidz Zone — showing us our purpose in this is in more ways than one.
And Circle Sage Property Management, MLCV’s subsidiary, will manage the facility.
Lastly, of course, the unwavering embrace of the community is what turns this project into the lively Onamia Childcare Center — and will sustain it for years to come.
The Construction Process + Center Details
We partnered with Hy-Tec Construction in Brainerd to gut and remodel the building. The process took nearly a year, from design to state and local approvals to onsite construction.
Onamia Childcare Center (Kidz Zone) exterior — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
Their skills were instrumental in ensuring we met the standards of sink heights, toilet heights, outdoor play space dimensions — you name it. Beth shares, “As the home of a licensed childcare center, we must have a certain number of square feet of green space per child. In our case, we ended up with 4,000 sq. ft. of fenced-in play space. It’s large and beautiful!”
Onamia Childcare Center (Kidz Zone) playground system — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
The outside certainly needed that revamping too. We worked with Neatness Counts, a Tribal Member-owned small business, to clean up and bring back its curb appeal. And the eye-catching outdoor playground system was created by Rainbow Play Midwest in St. Cloud.
Onamia Childcare Center (Kidz Zone) interior — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
The beauty Beth referenced is just as evident inside. With a capacity of 63 children, there is an infant room for up to eight, a toddler room for up to 14, and a preschool room for up to 20. Other noteworthy features include an indoor play gym for those rainy days, a half carpeted-half polished concrete toddler room for gross motor skill practice, and counters upon entering made specially to alleviate juggling those car seats with busy hands.
Onamia Childcare Center Importance
If I haven’t sold you yet on Onamia Childcare holding significant importance, let me try again.
After communicating with others, learning about the gap in childcare in rural Minnesota, and gaining a deeper understanding of its effect, it became apparent that adding the development of a childcare facility to our portfolio was the right thing to do – and would have a tremendous impact.
Really, it fits in seamlessly with our own pillar one business strategy, which is to build our community by building an ecosystem for business investment in the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy. The first initiative with this goal is to improve workforce participation. And what we’ve learned through those conversations and research is that accessible childcare can do just that.
Onamia Childcare Center (Kidz Zone) ribbon cutting community guests — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
Onamia Childcare Center is centrally located near businesses within the Tribal Economy and Red Willow Estates Workforce Housing. It’s designed for parents and caregivers to stay close to their little ones while at work and, in many cases, close to their homes.
Most importantly, it’s designed to be a safe, devoted environment for children.
During my chat with Beth, she told a story about her supervisor, expressing that this could be her legacy at MLCV. She admits that she initially thought, “Don’t be silly.” But what he shared after that had her (and I) see it differently. “He’s like, no, think about it. Every year, children will phase out of care facilities, and new children will come in. Over ten years, think how many lives have been changed by that childcare center because you made sure it happened.”
Future Plans + Expansions
Before Onamia Childcare Center even opened its doors, plans had already been made to expand our reach in this business area. We are coordinating with Pine County to deploy a childcare center in the Hinckley region. Once again, with the handprint of strong partners at each step of the process.
Indeed, Onamia Childcare has its own plans to grow in the future, with hopes to bring in school-aged children in an already-designed room fit for 12.
Reflections of Beth Gruber
Beth Gruber, MLCV’s Director of Planning and Community Engagement
As my conversation with Beth surrounding the Onamia Childcare Center came to a close, I started to think about feelings. I recall feeling her excitement, pride, and comfort as she told me all about the project during our time together. So, I asked her, point-blank, “How do you feel?” Her answer surprised me a bit. “I feel a little sad.” But then she described that feeling, and it all made sense. She said, “It’s that feeling of when your kids grow up, and you know, you have a lot of time and contact with them in the beginning because they’re small and growing, but now it’s coming to an end.”
But even though the project’s work has come to an end, the life of it is really just beginning. And the impacts will continue to emerge. This sentiment I wish for Beth to carry with her.
Conclusion
Onamia Childcare Center marks a new chapter for MLCV. From inception to welcoming families through the doors, we embrace all the firsts and lasts, challenges and accomplishments, and express the utmost gratitude to the many people who played a character in this story. We look forward to the positive changes the center will make toward the childcare crisis, the community, and MLCV.
This article was written by Hannah Torkelson, MLCV’s Senior Communications Strategist. Hannah is a storyteller and is responsible for capturing great moments within MLCV’s portfolio.