Grant County Development Corporation

09/03/2026

🌟 The Bright Futures Fund is officially making an impact!

Local childcare provider Lisa Schmitt has received the first distribution from GCDC’s Bright Futures Fund (BFF) in the amount of $4,390.60.

The BFF was created to support local childcare providers as they make important improvements to their programs and continue providing quality care for children and families throughout Grant County.

Congratulations, Lisa! We are excited to see this funding put to work—and even more excited that this is only the beginning.

Because every childcare provider needs a BFF! 💛

Pictured with Lisa and some of the children in her care are Lance Junso, GCDC Board and BFF Committee member, and Nicole Bury, GCDC Executive Board and BFF Committee member.

09/03/2026

Childcare is workforce infrastructure.

When childcare providers thrive, parents can work, employers can retain employees, and Grant County can grow.

Supporting childcare providers is not simply a family initiative. It is an investment in our entire local economy.

08/26/2026

✨ 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝! Join us tomorrow morning for ☕ Chamber Coffee hosted by Grant County Development Corporation & City of Milbank

📅 Thursday, August 27th
⏰ 7:30-9:00am
📍 Milbank Visitors Center: 1001 E 4th Ave, Milbank

Stop by for great conversation, refreshments, and connect with fellow community members—plus the opportunity to learn more about GCDC.

This event is free and open to everyone in the community—come and go as your schedule allows. We hope to see you there! 💙

08/26/2026

What is the next step for your childcare business?
The Bright Futures Fund offers reimbursement-based grants of up to $5,000 for approved startup, expansion, quality, and safety projects.
Costs must receive written approval before they are incurred.
Start planning your project:
grantcountysd.com/programs/brightfuturesfund

08/13/2026

Childcare providers do more than care for children. They make it possible for parents to work, employers to retain employees, and families to build their lives in Grant County.

That is why Grant County Development Corporation created the **Bright Futures Fund — BFF**.

The Bright Futures Fund is designed to help strengthen childcare providers, improve quality and safety, and support projects that can expand childcare capacity in Grant County.

**Applications open Monday, August 17.**

Over the next several days, we’ll be sharing more about who can apply, what the fund can support, and how the program works.

Learn more about the Bright Futures Fund at: http://www.grantcountysd.com/programs/brightfuturesfund

**Be a BFF to Childcare.**

07/13/2026

📢 Attention Grant County childcare providers — this one's for you.
Grant County Development Corporation has been awarded $75,000 from the South Dakota Community Foundation to launch the Bright Futures Childcare Initiative — a countywide program built to support the people doing the hard work of childcare in our communities.
Whether you run an established center, operate an in-home daycare, or have been thinking about starting one — Bright Futures is designed for you. While final details are still being finalized, funding is expected to support things like:
✅ Start-up and expansion assistance
✅ Business sustainability support
✅ Growing infant and toddler care capacity
📅 Applications are expected to open Monday, August 17. Eligibility details and application information are coming in the next few weeks — follow this page and check www.grantcountysd.com so you don't miss it.
You told us what you needed to keep your doors open and grow. We listened. This program exists because of the providers, employers, and community partners who shared honestly with us over the past two years — thank you.
Know a provider in Grant County? Tag them or share this post so they're ready when applications open. 👇

The Grant County Development Corporation in South Dakota aims to grow and promote business in the region.

07/13/2026

Across Grant County, retired grandparents are working unpaid full-time shifts so their adult kids can keep their jobs. We're grateful — and we're also honest: this isn't a childcare system, it's a stopgap. And it breaks the moment Grandma can't do it anymore. A community our size deserves a real solution. Save this — we're going to show you what one looks like.

07/10/2026

It wasn't the pay. It wasn't the commute. It was a waitlist. When there's no infant care opening for 12+ months, a job offer isn't really an offer — it's a math problem families can't solve. Milbank is adding jobs faster than it's adding childcare spots, and every unfilled position costs all of us. Save this post and share it with one employer who needs to see it. 👇