August 8, 2012

ICAP breaks ground on new Head Start building

By ELISA SAND, Staff Reporter, courtesy Madison Daily Leader

Local supporters of Inter-Lakes Community Action gathered Wednesday morning at a ground-breaking ceremony for a new Head Start building.

The ceremony signifies not only the beginning of a $1.6 million project that will be completed next year but also the culmination of planning for a permanent facility that started in 2008.

ICAP Executive Director Cindy Dannenbring said the planning took many twists and turns and included the exploration of locations in Madison and other counties within ICAP's 14-county service area. Board members decided to build a permanent facility in Madison, which led to the purchase of a lot on the corner of Van Eps Ave. and Center St. ICAP's long-term vision includes construction of two buildings, one for the Head Start program and a second for ICAP offices.

Wednesday's ground-breaking signifies the group's movement forward on the Head Start building, which should be completed in one year. Dannenbring said the office building will be constructed after that.

"This has been great," Dannenbring said. "We have 40 kids who will be able to be served in a much more convenient way."

Dannenbring said this project brought together numerous partners that included Rural Development, First Bank & Trust, First District of Local Governments, CitiBank, the city of Madison and the Lake Area Improvement Corporation.

Madison Mayor Gene Hexom said the groundbreaking signified a "very good day for Madison. The groundbreaking of this facility is truly a partnership. It's a very important step to rebuilding and revitalizing the downtown area."

Director of Rural Development Elsie Meeks said this type of local project represents the kind of project they want to help fund.

Early Childhood Development Director Kathy Natwick said the Madison facility is one of 13 sites operated by ICAP. Locally, she said, 52 students are served by the Head Start program, which includes 12 in the home-based program.

"This will be a state-of-the-art early learning center," Natwick said. "It's a dream come true."

©Madison Daily Leader 2012