The Childcare Business Initiative addresses one of the region's most pressing challenges: the lack of available, affordable childcare. By empowering childcare entrepreneurs, CBI helps fill the growing demand for quality childcare while also supporting local workforce development.
The Challenge
In 2021, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce identified childcare as a top priority for workforce attraction and retention. Child Care Aware® of Kansas reported that 1,284 childcare slots were needed in Riley County alone, with current services meeting only 50% of this demand. Neighboring Pottawatomie County faces similar shortages, needing 635 slots but only meeting 56% of the demand.
Our Solution – The Childcare Business Initiative
In response, the Chamber developed a business accelerator program to help entrepreneurial childcare providers launch and scale their businesses. This model provides:
- Access to training, mentorship, and resources tailored to childcare entrepreneurs.
- Support for business growth, moving entrepreneurs from the initiative to their independent location in the community, and onboarding new participants every cycle.
Grant and Funding Success
With the support of local partners, including the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and Ascension Via Christi Hospital, CBI secured $2.35M in grant funding from the Kansas Children’s Cabinet Child Care Capacity Accelerator program. This grant enabled the launch of the new facility, which will provide the infrastructure for future childcare businesses to flourish.
Looking Ahead
CBI's goal is to build a thriving childcare ecosystem by generating up to eight new businesses every 12-18 months, creating a continuous pipeline of childcare providers that meet the growing demand in the Manhattan area. Our approach ensures long-term sustainability, economic growth, and support for working families.
