There’s nothing like putting an idea into motion.

It was a thrill to move the first dirt on the site that will become the YMCA Child Development Center at BlueOval City in Stanton, Tennessee, which will provide childcare for employees and local residents.

As we officially begin construction, it might feel like we’re at the starting line — but, really, it’s a milestone marking tremendous progress. Together with local leaders spanning government and business, we’ve been thoughtfully planning for more than three years, because it matters that we get this right.

Why? Because successful workforce development depends on access to high-quality affordable childcare.

The YMCA Child Development Center at BlueOval City is designed to help remove barriers to employment for local residents, and it’s on track to begin providing childcare in 2026.

“We look forward to expanding access and helping to meet the needs of families throughout West Tennessee," said Brian McLaughlin, president and CEO of the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South. "The YMCA is committed to strengthening community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people of all ages, and inspiring action in and across communities.”

The YMCA Child Development Center at BlueOval City will serve as a childcare hub for the entire region, providing care for as many as 175 children, aged 6 weeks to 5 years old. We also plan to provide before- and after-school care programs and meals to school-age children.

We’re focused on developing meaningful programming tailored to the youth in West Tennessee.

The site of the state-of-the-art center is conveniently located off Highway 222, less than a mile from BlueOval City. Spanning 15,500 square feet, it will feature dedicated childcare rooms and a multipurpose room for activities. The new YMCA center will accommodate employees at the BlueOval City campus by offering operating hours tailored to their work schedules.

“We look forward to helping meet the needs of families throughout West Tennessee.”

Brian McLaughlin, president and CEO of the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South

Achieving an undertaking of this scale is possible only through the strength of our collaborations and shared commitment. Ford worked with us to gather input from residents, shape the development of the facility, and bring together key investors for this project.

Ermal Faulkner, Ford site director for BlueOval City and electric vehicle sites, has been my co-pilot throughout this project.

“Representatives from Ford spent months listening to local families," he said. "We worked with the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South to design a childcare center that will help improve quality of life for employees, Tennessee College of Applied Technology students, and other community members."

The 5-acre site for the new YMCA Child Development Center at BlueOval City was generously donated by the Wall family, expanding the legacy of support for the YMCA that dates back three generations to John Farley.

We are grateful to them and to everyone who committed public and private funding support for construction and ongoing operation of the YMCA Child Development Center, which totals $8 million so far:

• $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 BlueOvalSK
  
  
• $1 million for construction support funded by Universal Logistics Holdings
  
  
• $500,000 for capital expenses from Ford Community Relations as part of the Good Neighbor Plan for West Tennessee
  
  
• $500,000 for programming for the YMCA’s expanded food distribution sites across the region from Ford Philanthropy
  
  
• $300,000 for construction support funded by Ford Manufacturing

Together, grounded in the YMCA’s mission to foster youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, we can cultivate meaningful collaborations that empower young people to thrive and help communities grow stronger together.

Dave Bratcher is senior vice president of West Tennessee for the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South.