Nelson Heritage Center awarded $575,000 to open early learning center; plans to open Jan. 2025

The Nelson Heritage Center announced May 14 that it has been awarded $575,000 through Congressionally Directed/USDA Rural Development funding to create a licensed early learning center in the Heritage Center building.

Executive Director Johnette Burdette told the Board the center will plan for up to 60 children ages 0–5, and anticipate employing up to 20 full‑time staff to support an inclusive, licensed curriculum with before‑and‑after‑school care. Burdette said renovations are expected to begin in summer 2024 with a targeted opening date of January 2025. The Heritage Center is coordinating with Wall Construction, the Virginia Department of Health and the Department of General Services for the Health Department relocation scheduled for December 2024.

Burdette said the project team is conducting a feasibility study (surveys, focus groups and interviews) to determine operating hours and capacity by age group and to solicit community input; she emphasized the project intends to accept families with Department of Social Services vouchers and give priority to Nelson County residents. Board members and staff discussed possible partnerships with MACAA, Nelson County Public Schools and county employees to support operations, and noted the center will seek supplemental support for tuition gaps where vouchers fall short.

McGarry and supervisors thanked the Heritage Center for the work and anticipated further updates once a management partner is selected to operate the day‑to‑day program.

What’s next: the Heritage Center will complete a feasibility study, secure an operator for daily operations and proceed with planned renovations; the Board invited future updates to coordinate county support and partnerships.