Border Cantos | Sonic Border new exhibit at the Figge Art Museum

City of Moline will expand childcare options for all with American Rescue Plan Act funds

Making use of a half-million dollars of American Rescue Plan Act funds, the City of Moline is embarking on an ambitious plan to expand child care options across the city in an effort to allow more folks to go back to work while boosting early childhood educational outcomes. The soon-to-launch ARPA Childcare/Workforce Infrastructure Forgivable Loan Program aims to assist families and businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic by delivering higher quality and more worker-friendly daycare options. The program will work similarly to the City’s successful 2021 micro-business loan program that helped dozens of Moline entrepreneurs survive the economic impacts of the COVID pandemic. “Childcare options are a crucial part of our workforce infrastructure,” said Moline Mayor Rayapati, who has championed the new program with the assistance of a mayoral working group that included representatives from area child care facilities, the YMCA and Q2030 – a Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce created non-profit focuses on driving regional cooperation. “In order for our labor force to grow back to pre-pandemic levels and beyond, we need people to get back to work and to meet them where their needs are, whether that’s increasing available slots or expanding the hours of operation.” Loans from $10,000 up to $50,000 will be granted to child care providers – either existing or new – to improve the quality and availability of daycare, encourage and support those businesses to continue their operations, expand their operations or to open new day care facilities. Priority will be given to providers that offer non-traditional hours, particularly second and third shifts, overnights and weekends, and those equipped to care for infants, toddlers and children with special needs. Funds may be used to buy equipment, such as cribs, toys, highchairs and books, to make minor building modifications to meet government regulations for safety and accessibility, expand operations, pay for staff training and to pay for certain start -up costs. Program funds are not available to pay staff wages. Rayapati said many people who wish to go back to work cannot, due to having very young children at home or working hours when daycare options are extremely limited. “You really need 24-7 coverage now,” she said. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total Quad Cities labor forced decreased by 6,261 between April 2019 and April 2020. While the pandemic was the driver of much of the loss, business organizations have cited lack of quality and convenient child care is among the biggest reasons for people not re-entering the workforce. Without such infrastructure, Moline and indeed the entire Quad Cities remain vulnerable to further reductions in its labor force and resulting decreased revenues. The Mayor’s working group received numerous letters of support for the program from the region’s congressional delegation, the Quad Cities Chamber, the United Way and individual families needing expanded childcare options. The ARPA Childcare/Workforce Infrastructure Forgivable Loan Program will award loans based on several criteria, including the applicant’s business plan, the community needs the applicant will fill, as well as any unique services, such as second and third shift options that the applicant will offer. The program will provide much needed capital to current and new childcare providers/ businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, positively impact an important workforce concern and help stabilize Moline’s economy.

Eligible applicants include:

Individuals who are interested in opening a licensed childcare facility. Community-based organizations/businesses (existing or new; profit or non-profit.) To be eligible for funding under the program, an applicant must accept all children regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, disability, parentage, economic circumstance or any other protected characteristics. Recipients will be required to sign a non-discrimination form as part of the agreement. Applications will be evaluated by an independent selection committee that includes City staff and child care industry professionals. Loan amounts will be determined based on number of children served with extra points toward a qualifying score awarded for programs that have evening, overnight or weekend hours, expanded capacity, new facilities and ability to accommodate children with disabilities. Loans awarded under this program will be forgiven after the borrower remains open for 36 months after receiving funding.

Questions can be directed to KJ Whitley, Community Development Program Manager, at (309) 524-2044 or kwhitley@moline.il.us.

Paths Crossed for Progress: 2nd annual Magic Island Mayhem event returns to Sylvan Island on February 26th

By Nicholas Cunningham

Last April after the inaugural Magic Island Mayhem 4-mile trail race on Sylvan Island, race director, Brandon Bartz was hoping that the money raised from his race would help fund a pavilion on the island. Despite a few delays, his wish will soon come to fruition. “All the pavilion stuff is paid for and ready to go,” explained Bartz. “We are just waiting on weather to break to pour the concrete.” So, it’s no surprise that Bartz is back this month hosting the Magic Island Mayhem event again on Sylvan Island, but this time wanting to help River Action with their project to link the Sylvan Island bike path to the Floreciente neighborhood. “We are 90% there,” said River Action Director, Executive Director, Kathy Wine. “I hope to get it within a few weeks so I can get the engineering and permitting and design all done. All the final things like that.” Being both a runner and bicyclist, Bartz wants to bring as much exposure to Sylvan Island and thought having it in the winter as opposed to the spring would bring an added challenge to the day. “Originally we wanted to do a snow race because it the only spot you can guarantee to run on,” said Bartz. “We were like, ‘let’s mess with some dicey weather and see what happens.’” And if running around the icey terrain is not for you, a fat bike option is new this year to cruise the course that way. “Me and some guys were out riding, and we were sitting there chatting and everyone kept saying, ‘we should have a fat bike race.” said Bartz. “There’s really no reason why we can’t do both. It’s a fundraiser, just for fun and we’re always trying to get more people to check the island out.” With River Action’s goal being so close, the money raised from this event could be the last needed to fund this bike path connecting the historic island to the neighborhood that help keep it alive. And with Bartz being a mainstay on the island, bringing both running and biking and the island and neighborhood together is a dream come true. “My whole thing is just getting more people to enjoy the trails we have,” explained Bartz. “So, if we can get 70-80 people out there instead of 40 than that’s awesome. It’s also a good opportunity for the biking community and the running community to cross paths and to hang out too.”

For more information or to register for this event visit, https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information. php?event_id=136494

El Humor de Pepe Angonoa

EL MARIACHI EN MOLINE, IL ESTÁ BUSCANDO TRABAJADORES Estamos contratando para todos los puestos. Lavaplatos / ayudantes de cocina, meseros y asistentes de catering. Tomando solicitudes diariamente. Si tiene alguna pregunta, llame al restaurante (309)797-3178 y pregunte por Virginia.

EL MARIACHI IN MOLINE, IL IS LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES. We are hiring for all positions . Dishwashers/kitchen helpers, Waitstaff and Caterers . Taking applications daily . Any questions call Restaurant (309)797-3178 and ask for Virginia .