The money from the Iowa Economic Development Authority is part of the financing package that will pay for renovating the former Becker Florist building on Kenyon Road into a childcare and education facility.

“It certainly is a big boost,” said Elizabeth Stanek, the executive director of Linking Families and Communities.

Linking Families and Communities is the organization developing the center to help meet a need for childcare in the area.

Stanek said the Sprouts center will provide early education to young children at a crucial time in their lives when their brains are developing.

“We need to do it right,” she said.

The Sprouts school will accept children between the ages of six weeks old and 12-years-old.

It will have a capacity of 103 students.

It is expected to be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Linking Families and Communities purchased the building at 407 Kenyon Road in January from Kenyon Road Baptist Church.

The Fort Dodge City Council gave the project a $750,000 loan from the local government’s economic development revolving loan fund. Nestle Purina PetCare gave a $25,000 grant.

The state grant was awarded Wednesday.

With that money committed, Linking Families and Communities can “kick start the bidding process,” Stanek said.

She said the tentative schedule is to begin building renovations in March and open in March 2026.

Linking Families and Communities is seeking financial support from the community for the Sprouts Early Education and Development School.

Anyone interested in contributing can contact Eilzabeth Stanek at 515-955-5437 or estanek@linking-families.com.