Local Child Care development killed; $20 Million in Federal Funds Suspended

Apr 1

Written By Columbia Community Connection

From Columbia Gorge Education Service District:

By Dana Pedersen

The Dalles, Ore., April 1, 2025 — The Columbia Gorge Early Learning & Resilience Center (ELRC) has been a project long in the making. The intent of the project is to remodel Chenowith Middle School on the west side of The Dalles, Oregon, to allow for community-based supports and transform it into a child care center for up to 200 children.

The Columbia Gorge Education Service District (CGESD) has served as the lead partner on this project, along with support from many community members, North Wasco School District, and statutory partner, the Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) Foundation.

This project hinges on a combination of federal, state, and private funding sources. Unfortunately, recent developments have suspended the availability of critical federal funds for this initiative.

"Understandably, the community team that has developed and stewarded this project for more than 5 years is disappointed by this news," stated Dana Pedersen, Columbia Gorge Education Service District Superintendent. "I share their frustration. We remain committed to pursuing every option available to us for financing this project. However, as it stands, we do not have the funding required to proceed with the Early Learning & Resilience Center remodel."

In December, project partners were notified of their selection for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Change grant in the amount of $19.9 million dollars, an amount that put this ambitious project quickly within reach. That award was formally contracted between EPA and CGESD in January 2025.

On March 10, 2025, the grant status changed to ‘suspended' without a timeline for when it would be released. The total amount awarded for this grant is $19.9 million, with $16.6 million dedicated to direct construction costs to remodel and update Chenowith Middle School.

At the end of the same week, the passage of the Continuing Resolution impacted the project when various Community-Initiated Projects (CIPs) or congressionally directed spending were eliminated from the Fiscal Year 2025 federal budget. The ELRC was slated to receive $1.5 million toward construction costs.

Click here for CCCNews previous story here: https://columbiacommunityconnection.com/the-dalles/cgcc-child-care-center-feasibility-study-reveals-regional-child-care-crisis