BEMIDJI — Sanford Health is welcoming proposals to team with an experienced child care operator ready to manage a child care center next to the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.
“The need for reliable, quality childcare remains a significant challenge for health care workers and our community,” stated Karla Eischens, president and CEO for Sanford Health in Bemidji, in a news release. “Ensuring that staff have access to these services is critical to sustaining and growing the care we provide.”
The center, located in the former Lake Region Bone and Joint Clinic, will be owned and remodeled by Sanford Health. Management will be provided by a licensed child care operator, with a specific focus on infant and toddler care.
“Ensuring that staff have access to these services is critical to sustaining and growing the care we provide.”Karla Eischens, CEO, Sanford Health Bemidji
Though preference will be given to Sanford employees, any additional spots at the center would be available to the public. Construction is anticipated to start in the spring with an opening planned for next fall.
"This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced provider to expand its operations with minimal facility and lease costs, and a ready-made client base," the release stated.
For more information on the request for proposals process, interested applicants can contact Human Resources Advisor Erin Echternach by emailing Erin.Echternach@sanfordhealth.org.
Proposals are due no later than Dec. 3.
-
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe staff also found starry stonewort in Six Mile Lake, near the city of Cass Lake. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bemidji Planning Board voted 6-1 to prohibit new developments of data centers greater than 10,000 square feet during its meeting Sept. 14, 2026. -
Contributed/USFWS Midwest RegionDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 15, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer discovers Nevada flora and fauna and notes seasonal transitions in Northern MN. -
Plus: DNR cancels mineral lease for Twin Metals; and ICE's immigration crackdown last winter may have ripple effects for farm labor during harvest season. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Ezra Collective, Sylvan Esso, Pokey LaFarge, Downtown Boys, Valerie June, Willi Carlisle, and Ex:Re. Plus our Pick From '76, Sparks. -
Contributed/Twin Metals Minnesota via MinnPostThe action comes weeks after executive action by Gov. Tim Walz halted the mining company's efforts to establish a copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bureau of Indian Affairs announced it was assuming operations of family and children services in Red Lake following a raid on Sept. 10, 2026. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionAn estimated 15,000–20,000 seasonal agricultural workers arrive for work in Minnesota during the peak harvesting season, according to the National institutes of Health. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionMinnesota lawmakers heard testimony Sept. 9, 2026, about the domino effects felt by people closely tied to human service programs as the state combats fraud. -
Contributed/MedicAlert UK via Unsplash.comThe standard began Sept. 10, 2026, following approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Aug. 11.
