HUMBOLDT, TENN. – Tyson Foods Inc. held a grand opening for its employer-sponsored child care center near its Humboldt, Tenn., poultry processing plant on July 18.

Parents who work at the Tyson facility helped cut the ceremonial ribbon and officially open the facility, with some of their children expected to attend the new center.

The company said it invested nearly $5 million in the Tyson Learning Center (TLC), which will support 100 children, five years old and younger. 

“I’m proud of our company’s approach to make high-quality child care accessible and affordable for our team members,” said Johanna Söderström, executive vice president and chief people officer at Tyson Foods. “We recognize child care services can be a barrier to enter the workforce, which is why have worked on this solution to provide child care options that support our team members.”

The grand opening was held outside the TLC with Jude White, assistant commissioner for care and community service at the Tennessee Dept. of Human Services, in attendance. 

During the ceremony, White announced a $150,000 establishment grant for the center to support furniture, equipment and curriculum costs associated with opening a new child care agency. Tyson workers can also apply with the state for additional subsidies to further lower the cost of child care.

The TLC will employ 20 child care workers and be operated by KinderCare. Tyson plans to subsidize tuition to the center as well for employees. 

“We know from [KinderCare's] Parent Confidence Report that child care benefits are second to health insurance in retaining employees, a benefit all the more important in rural areas like Humboldt where there are more families needing care than there are child care options,” said Dan Figurski, president, KinderCare for Employers and Champions. “We’re proud to partner with Tyson in supporting their working families in a center custom-designed to meet their specific needs.”

The Humboldt center will begin admitting children in late July.