In 2012, Milnor faced a childcare crisis with no licensed daycare available in the community. Recognizing this urgent need, the City of Milnor applied for and received a $187,500 North Dakota Child Care Grant in 2014, with a $62,500 community match. This led to the formation of Youth Opportunity Unlimited, Inc. (YOU), a nonprofit dedicated to providing local childcare solutions. With overwhelming community support—over $325,000 in donations and in-kind contributions—a new 5,000-square-foot childcare center was built and leased to an entrepreneur, opening in 2015 with capacity for 67 children.
As demand grew, the YOU Board pursued additional funding through the ND Rural Workforce Impact Program (RWIP). In 2022, they were awarded $1,060,656 in federal ARPA funding and raised over $310,000 in local contributions to expand the facility. The 3,800-square-foot addition, completed in 2024, includes two new classrooms, expanded kitchen space, and additional office and laundry facilities.
Today, the center, leased to Camryn’s Clubhouse, serves up to 122 children and employs nine full-time and four part-time staff, with further growth anticipated. As the only licensed childcare center in Sargent County, this project has strengthened the local workforce by ensuring families have access to quality childcare.
Strong communities are built by supporting families, and Milnor has proven just how powerful that commitment can be.