Nederland and the surrounding region are a step closer to getting an expanded child care center through a partnership between the town and a local nonprofit designed to address the area’s child care shortage.

TEENS, Inc. recently broke ground on the new center at the town’s vacant Old Town Shop site at 750 W. Fifth St. The expansion, in the works for two years, went to a town vote on the $1-a-year, 99-year lease for the land. In exchange for a long-term lease, the nonprofit is covering the estimated $7 million cost to construct a building and playground, as well as paying the ongoing operating costs. The town retains ownership of the property, in case the program ceases operation.

“We’re super proud and super excited of how far we’ve come,” TEENS Executive Director Stephen LeFaiver said.

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