CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Employees of the Industrial Park could soon have affordable childcare close to their workplace thanks to a new initiative by the Industrial Development Board.

Through the Industrial Childcare Facility project, the Clarksville-Montgomery County IDB plans to establish a childcare facility for 400-800 children in the South Industrial Park on International Boulevard near Exit 8.

IDB Executive Director Shea Hopkins told Clarksville Now that when she got to Clarksville she noticed a need for childcare in the industrial sector.

“Right now, in Clarksville-Montgomery County, the waitlist on childcare is about two years, so we identified that as a huge obstacle for people trying to re-enter the work force. You can’t go to work if you don’t have somewhere to place your child,” Hopkins said. “There’s not a lot available over there, and a lot of the folks that work in the Industrial Park may have transportation issues, so it really helps if childcare is near where you work.”

She added that employers could use childcare as a tool for employee retention.

“We’re hoping that a lot of our local industries will partner on this to make it affordable and accessible to their employees. We’re also hoping that they can use it as a retention tool.”

According to Hopkins, a new facility would have capacity for at least 400 students, but could be as high as 800. Documents provided by the IDB say 50% of the open spots will be allocated to Industrial Park partners.

“We’ll kind let each industry manage that portion, but there will be a specific number that they have to hold for industry so that it doesn’t just fill up with first-come, first-served.”

The facility will not be owned or controlled by the IDB, but rather by a yet-to-be selected partner who will benefit from a PILOT program and potentially a deal on land for the center, subject to negotiations with the IDB.

IDB accepting proposals

The IDB is seeking a partner in the Industrial Childcare Facility project, and is accepting proposals.

All proposals must be received by July 1, no later than 5 p.m., for consideration in the project proposal selection process. RFP information can be found at clarksvilletned.com.

Proposals will be reviewed by Industrial Childcare Committee by July 20, with finalist interviews and proposal selection to follow.