09/10/2026
Since 2019, GROWTH has been leading the redevelopment of Shimer Square in Mt. Carroll, one of the organization's largest and most complex projects. Visit https://www.shimersquare.com/ to learn more of our whole scope of redevelopment work.
As planning and development moved forward, access to childcare was brought up not only a community need but also a workforce challenge. A feasibility study was launched and confirmed what many families already knew: quality childcare options were extremely limited throughout the region. GROWTH then worked assembling the financing needed to make a childcare center a reality.
As its first childcare development, GROWTH approached the work with a commitment to learning from experienced partners. The team worked closely with SAL Community Services, toured childcare facilities, and incorporated best practices into the project. Through SAL, GROWTH connected with 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care, which serves communities across northwest Illinois. 4-C provided guidance on requirements and what it takes to launch and sustain a successful center. What began as a search for an operator ultimately led 4-C to launch its own childcare services division becoming the operators for the newly named Honey Bee Child Development Center at Shimer Square as its first facility in a pilot effort to expand childcare access across its service area.
Community development is rarely quick or simple. Projects of this scale require patience, persistence, and partnerships. From planning and financing to licensing and approvals, every step takes time.
Enrollment officially launched this week, and families touring the Honey Bee Child Development Center at Shimer Square today. It is a proud moment for all.
Shimer Square now offers *more* than the incredible 51 studio, 1-bed, 2-bed, and 3-bedroom apartments. It now provides a place for young children to learn and thrive, gives parents greater access to employment opportunities, supports workforce development through the creation of 25 permanent jobs, and strengthens the long-term vitality of the community.
It is a powerful reminder that transformative projects are measured not in months, but in years, and that the best outcomes are often the result of sustained collaboration and shared commitment.
