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The Pipestone Economic Development Authority has received a $25,000 grant from the Taylor Family Farms Foundation to convert this former church property in Pipestone into a childcare facility. The EDA plans to lease the space to a provider to increase the local childcare capacity. Photo by Kyle Kuphal
The Pipestone Economic Development Authority (EDA) has received a $25,000 grant from the Taylor Family Farms Foundation to help pay for work to convert the former Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church at 711 Fifth Ave. SW into a childcare center. The EDA accepted the donation during its Dec. 15 meeting.
In a letter from the Taylor Family Farms Foundation to Community Development Director Justin Schroyer dated Nov. 21, the Foundation indicated that its “goal is to positively impact people’s lives and/or enhance life in rural communities in Southern Minnesota and Northwest Iowa.”
The EDA purchased the former church property for $62,500 earlier this year. Its plan is to remodel the building to make it a single-family residence and then lease it to someone who will operate it as a family childcare facility. No one will live there, but as a single-family residence, it can be used for that purpose. Schroyer said during a previous EDA meeting that he had heard from at least one individual interested in leasing the space.
A budget for the remodeling project reviewed during the EDA’s Oct. 20 meeting showed an estimated $107,300 in expenses for the remodel. That included the cost of the property, flooring, fencing, play equipment, a forgivable provider loan, an egress window, bathroom updates and more. According to that budget, the EDA planned to contribute $70,200, leaving a funding gap of $37,100 prior to the grant from the Taylor Family Farms Foundation.
According to Taylorfff.org, Glen Taylor announced the start of the Taylor Family Farms Foundation in 2023 and gifted assets valued at $172 million with the goal of supporting people in southern Minnesota and rural communities across Minnesota and Iowa. The donation was comprised of parcels of farmland located in Minnesota and Iowa and income generated by the farmland is used to provide grants.