GRAND RAPIDS — KOOTASCA Community Action will celebrate the grand opening of its early childhood hub at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, at the former Murphy Elementary School.
The Grand Rapids hub will offer child care and education for 171 children, from 6 weeks old to 5 years. It will also offer supports for families, according to a news release, including adult basic education.
Nick Hansen, planning and development director for KOOTASCA, stated the initiative is the result of unwavering collaboration and marks a new era in early childhood education.
The Grand Rapids School District closed Murphy Elementary in 2022, later selling it to KOOTASCA. The 70-year-old building was outgrown by the student body, despite being added onto three times over the years. It was at one time slated for possible demolition.
The celebration will include a welcome and speakers along with tours of the facility.
The early childhood hub was funded in part by a $1.4 million grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
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