The Sampson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to de-obligate USDA loan money reserved for the construction of the facility at Sampson Community College at the beginning of this month. That decision came after a year-long delay imposed in October 2008 to any action regarding either the SCC facility and a new C.E. Perry Elementary School amid economic distress and a tight county budget.
With the economy still in much the same shape, and the budget as tight as ever, commissioners voted down the SCC project.
“It is indeed unfortunate that the county commissioners have decided this project is not a priority at this time,” said Victoria Byrd, executive director of the Partnership for Children of Sampson County. “The workforce support along with the amount of revenue generated in Sampson County due to the childcare industry is enormous.”
The total direct economic impact of childcare in Sampson is estimated at approximately $48 million a year, making it “one of the strongest and most stable economic forces we have,” Byrd attested.
It is a worthwhile project, the college’s president said, and one he is sad to see delayed again.
“The project really was envisioned to serve a two-fold purpose,” said SCC president Dr. Bill Aiken. “First, the college hoped to provide quality daycare especially for those who desired to return to the workforce or continue their education. Without these services, many people face a dim hope of returning to full employment. Secondly, one of the college’s fastest growing programs is Early Childhood Education.”
A $5 million loan for the Early Childhood Development project was approved in April 2005, with the obligation to be held until November 2009 following last October’s delay. When the year rolled around early this month, USDA asked for the county’s intentions for the loan obligations and a timetable for when construction would begin for the Perry and the SCC projects.
Commissioners continued forward with the Perry project on a 3-2 vote, setting next fall as the earliest date for construction to commence. The board balked on the Childhood Development Center.
“By not supporting the effective and continuous growth of the Early Childhood program at the community college through facility expansion, an important community need is going unanswered, and the consequences for the future will be greatly influenced in a negative way,” Byrd said. “Now is not the time to be short-sighted when preparing for the future.”
She pointed to the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) impact, through which Sampson County is expected by local officials to receive new families.
“We need to be prepared to receive those families and support their childcare needs in order to retain their dollars locally,” said Byrd. “In my opinion, this current decision by the county commissioners sends a message that early childhood education is not valued as a priority in the continuous development of the infrastructure of Sampson County.”
Commissioner Billy Lockamy, who voted against both projects, said it was simply not the time. Last year, the county voted to wait out the economy and it needs to continue to play the waiting game, he said. Others agreed, voting against the SCC project unanimously.
“Times are too tight,” Lockamy stated. “Now is not the time to be spending money. As far as building, as far as loan obligations — I’m not saying when — but now is not the time.”
The USDA loan was for a freestanding structure, with a possible acquisition of Clinton Pentecostal Holiness Church added to the mix in recent months. USDA officials said the project could be modified accordingly. Aiken said the neighboring church property is a good option — and one of the only options — the college currently has.
“By having the daycare facility on campus, students would have immediate access to the learning environment of young children,” Aiken said. “Seeing their interaction and observing their behavior makes the college student much better prepared to deal with real-life situations as they become employed in the childcare industry.”
There is no word on what the church space might cost the county, with any terms likely to be negotiated privately, if at all. Board chairman Jarvis McLamb said the dollar figure would be “high.”
Commissioners expressed their intent to revisit the issue, but not until at least next year. Ed Causey, area director for USDA, told county leaders that USDA funding resources were at an all-time high and, if the county board wished to revisit the project down the line, there is a good possibility the loan money would still be available.
However, the board’s decision to delay construction has left the college’s hands tied, Aiken said.
“The college continues to explore other opportunities for funding,” he remarked, “however, at the present time, the college has no resources of its own to go forward with the project.”
Aiken and his staff were still in the “development” process, spending just $41,000 of an allocated $300,000 on planning, when the decision was made in October 2008 to halt the design phase — and the entire project for that matter.
At that time, and since, Aiken touted the SCC Child Development Center as an “added service to the community.” There is no other location in the county that provides such a concentration of highly trained professionals to meet the needs of young children, Aiken has said.
Quality childcare in the county is an ever-growing need, both Aiken and Byrd emphasized.
There are nearly 80 daycare facilities located throughout the county and over 400 childcare providers providing care for approximately 4,000 children. Those within the college’s Early Childhood program, which offers approximately 20 classes and serves around 200 students, said that a facility could provide a high quality of trained teachers and a greater quality childcare for children.
But a specialized facility to house that program, and grow it, may not be realized anytime soon. Byrd said that could come as a detriment to quality childcare in the county, and to the local economy as a whole.
“While the economic and workforce climates in our county are not at their strongest at the present time, that situation will change and when that occurs it will be vital that the childcare industry be ready to provide the services required to support working parents,” Byrd remarked. “The way to prepare a strong workforce in the area of early childhood education and care is to continue to recruit and educate future teachers. In order for the economic growth of Sampson County to continue, it’s vital to have quality childcare.”
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.
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