UMF to move forward with child care and early education center expansion

Courtesy / UMF This building, shown in a rendering, located at 274 Front St. in Farmington, will be renovated for new UMF Sweatt-Winter Early Childhood Education Center.

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By Staff

The University of Maine at Farmington will move forward with the $3.1 million renovation of a former call center at 274 Front St. to create the future home of its Sweatt-Winter Child Care and Early Education Center.

The new 10,384-square-foot facility will allow UMF to create at least 20 slots for high-quality infant and toddler care in Franklin County, while increasing enrollment in the school's early childhood education programs by at least 20%.

UMF received approval for the renovation from the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, and expects to break ground in January 2023.

The system trustees authorized UMF to spend up to $3.1 million, contingent on the receipt of public funds already pledged toward the project.

This includes $1 million from the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan — the proposal put forth by Gov. Janet Mills and supported by the Maine Legislature to invest the state’s share of federal American Rescue Plan relief funds.

The project budget also includes $600,000 in congressionally directed spending, known commonly as earmarks, that U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, are negotiating in Washington.

Previously, the Sweatt-Winter expansion project received $1.4 million from a bond for UMS workforce development infrastructure approved by voters statewide in 2018. The Lennox Foundation contributed $100,000.

“One of the highest priorities for higher education is preparing the next generation of educators,” said University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy. “Maine families have to have access to reliable child care and great local schools. We are investing in programs and facilities that can help meet that need.”

“Teacher education programs are a hallmark of Farmington and renovating this facility will provide improved instructional space for students preparing to be early childhood educators while also expanding our opportunities to provide high quality care and education for area children,” said UMF president Edward Serna.