Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks the Official Start of the Lakin Child Development Center of Griswold

(Griswold) The Noble Initiative Foundation hosted a Groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday morning at the Griswold Elementary School for the 8,800-square-foot, $2.3 million Lakin Child Development Center of Griswold.

The new child development center is named after the Charles E. Lakin Foundation, which donated a $500,000 grant at a crucial time, helping the initiative close in on its’ original fundraising goal of $2.3 million.

The mission of the Noble Initiative Foundation is to impact families in Griswold and the surrounding communities by providing a quality childcare center, support for a strong school system, an increase in the local workforce, and affordable housing. The Noble Initiative Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization committed to strengthening our community.

Griswold City Councilman, and business owner, Ryan Askeland served as the EMCEE for the ceremony.

Former Chairman and member of Noble Initiative Foundation, and Cass County Supervisor Chairman, Steve Baier spoke about making this a reality.

A significant contributor, Shirley Bierbaum, thanked all the volunteers who spent countless hours bringing this project to fruition.

Nick Zimmer, former Director of the Red Oak YMCA and senior consultant of the American City Business Bureau, spoke about the vision, the process, the journey, and forming of relationships and trust throughout the fundraising portion of this project.

Jared Wyman, City Councilman and Noble Initiative Foundation Chairman, talked about what the project meant for the community and read a letter from former Congresswoman Cindy Axne, who helped secure $1 million in funding for this project.

The Lakin Child Development Center in Griswold will house 84 to 100 infants through elementary students before and after school. The project is scheduled for completion in December of this year.

In addition to the honored speakers at the ceremony, Miss Christina and Miss Autum’s preschool class sported plastic “hardhats,” carried plastic shovels, and sang for the crowd.