CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Center opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon.

The facility site includes about 18 acres off Exit 8 and International Boulevard in the South Industrial Park to provide childcare services to nearby employees. It will offer 800 full-time slots, with 400 of those discounted at 15% for industrial park and military-affiliated families.

Josh Ward gives the welcoming speech and the speaker introductions at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
County Mayor, Wes Golden speaking at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
County Mayor, Wes Golden speaking at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
TNCD Commissioner, Stuart McWhorter speaks at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
TNCD Commissioner, Stuart McWhorter speaks at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy founder Hope Patonis speaking at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy founder Hope Patonis speaking at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
County mayor Wes Golden and his wife Sara Golden at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Comperry Construction in attendance at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Sara Golden, County Mayor Wes Golden, Allen Borden, Stuart McWhorter and Buck Dillinger at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Senator Bill Powers, Andrew Kester and Michael Lankford at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)
Mark Kelly, Mike Rainey, Charlie Koone, and Kyle Luther at the Youth Academy Industrial Park Childcare Facility ribbon cutting. August 1, 2024 (Jeff Danault)

Speakers at Thursday’s ribbon cutting included VP of Industrial Development for the EDC Josh Ward, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, Tennessee Economic Development Council Commissioner Stuart McWhorter and Youth Academy founder Hope Patonis.

The first day of operation will be Aug. 5, and it will be open 5 a.m. to midnight. The facility will include extended care, school transportation and a swimming pool.

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