MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South is joining forces with Ford to build a new Early Learning Center near BlueOval City.
Set to open in 2026, the YMCA Early Learning Center will provide childcare for the region for up to 175 children ages six weeks to five-years-old. The YMCA said the facility will provide before and after school programs and meals and have operating hours to accommodate shift work for BlueOval City employees.
The facility will be located off Highway 222 less than a mile from the Ford plant. Leaders said 5-acres of land was donated by Beth Wall Flanagan, who’s family has own the land since the 1830s.
The YMCA leaders said public and private funding will pay for construction ongoing operations. They said they have $7 million in funding so far, provided by the following:
- $2 million for construction support funded by the Tennessee Department of Human Services
- $1.7 million for the multipurpose gymnasium funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development through a Connected Community Facilities grant
- $1 million to offset the cost of childcare for Ford’s Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center employees and cover the cost of water and wastewater depreciation expenses funded by Ford’s Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center at BlueOval City
- $1 million for onsite programming funded by BlueOval SK
- $1 million for construction support funded by Universal Logistics Holdings
- $300,000 for construction support funded by Ford Manufacturing
“We spent months listening and learning from local families as we designed a childcare center that will help improve the quality of life for employees, Tennessee College of Applied Technology students and other community members,” said Ermal Faulkner, Ford site director for BlueOval City and electric vehicle sites.
“BlueOval City sits in an area where access to childcare has been especially challenging following the pandemic,” said Dave Bratcher, senior vice president of West Tennessee for the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South.
“We recognize affordable, quality childcare is a barrier for many working parents, and BlueOval SK is committed to being part of the solution,” said BlueOval SK CEO Michael Adams.
