The Panhandle Childcare Expansion Project has been awarded $65,000 through the 6 Regions, One Nebraska (6R1N) Challenge Grant, supporting a regional effort to expand licensed childcare capacity and strengthen workforce stability across the Nebraska Panhandle.
The Challenge Grant funding will be leveraged with local matching contributions and statewide partnerships to support new and expanding family home childcare providers. Over a 30-month period, the project aims to create 25 new or expanded licensed childcare programs and add 200–250 new childcare slots, helping working families access reliable, high-quality care while supporting employers’ ability to recruit and retain workers.
“This investment reflects the strength of regional collaboration and the importance of addressing childcare as both a family and economic priority,” said Owen Palm, Western Regional Co-Chair for 6 Regions, One Nebraska. “Access to quality childcare directly impacts workforce participation, business growth, and long-term economic vitality in the Panhandle. This project will help remove barriers for working parents and strengthen communities across the region.”
The Panhandle Childcare Expansion Project is led by regional partners with Panhandle Partnership, Inc. serving as fiscal agent. The initiative includes collaboration with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, Educational Service Unit 13, University of Nebraska Extension and Rural Prosperity, workforce and economic development organizations, and more than 20 local businesses and community partners providing matching support.
A key component of the project includes the hiring of a Western Region Childcare Navigator, who will coordinate local efforts; support providers through the licensing process; and connect childcare entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and technical assistance. These efforts align with regional data and employer feedback, identifying childcare shortages as a persistent challenge impacting workforce participation and economic growth.
The project is funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development through the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative—and was made possible through the generous support of the Sherwood Foundation. 6 Regions, One Nebraska is a statewide, data-driven economic development strategy that brings together business leaders, community partners, and state agencies to address regional priorities through collaboration and targeted investment.
Implementation of the Panhandle Childcare Expansion Project is expected to begin in early 2026, with progress tracked through required reporting and evaluation to ensure long-term, sustainable impact.