U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) awarded a $75,000 grant to the Appalachian Early Childhood Development Center in order to expand their facility and open up their services to more families.

“Finding adequate childcare is often a challenge for working families. It can be the difference in taking a better paying job or pursuing a career,” said Rogers. “The Appalachian Early Childhood Development Center gives children the boost they need in their formative years. This federal investment will enhance the Center’s facilities, improve safety and access, and enable the Center to continue to provide young children with the educational building blocks for success in school and in life.”

The funds will be used to construct a 600 square foot classroom addition and a handicapped accessible bathroom to the existing early child facility. The additional space will also increase enrollment by 15 children and move Letcher County families off of a waiting list for childcare. Previously, in 2007, the Appalachian Early Childhood Development Center received a $60,000 grant from USDA-RD. The grant was awarded through USDA-RD’s Community Programs which administers programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. The USDA-RD strives to ensure that facilities like the Appalachian Early Childhood Development Center are readily available to all rural communities.

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers works to secure funding for important initiatives in the fifth Congressional district.