News Summary
Duncan, South Carolina, is set to open the Middle Tyger Education Center, a new facility for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years, in August 2026. With a budget of $19 million, the 44,500 square-foot center will include 17 classrooms and support up to 285 children. It aims to provide affordable childcare resources in a region identified as a childcare desert. The initiative is a collaboration between various organizations and emphasizes enrollment for children with disabilities and those in poverty, bolstering educational and economic development in the community.
Duncan, South Carolina is set to welcome a new early childhood education center with the construction of the Middle Tyger Education Center, scheduled to open in August 2026. The project, backed by a budget of $19 million, will be established at the corner of East Main Street and South Danzler Road and aims to provide educational resources for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years.
The planned facility will cover an area of 44,500 square feet and is designed to support up to 285 children. It will consist of 17 classrooms and is expected to create approximately 25 jobs upon its opening. This initiative comes as a response to the pressing need for early childhood education resources in a rapidly growing region of Spartanburg County, which has been designated as a childcare desert.
Funding for the project includes a commitment of $500,000 from Spartanburg Academic Movement and an additional $3.5 million allocated by the General Assembly. The Spartanburg County School District 5 has played a pivotal role in this endeavor by donating 13 acres of land for the center’s construction.
To help alleviate the challenges faced by working families, the center will prioritize enrollment for children with disabilities and those living in poverty. As the average annual cost of childcare in the area totals approximately $14,000, or about $300 per week, the Middle Tyger Education Center seeks to provide high-quality and affordable childcare options.
Construction for the new center is expected to commence in late 2025, with the land for the project already cleared. This development is not only a response to the local demand for early childhood education but also aims to serve as a model for future similar initiatives across the state of South Carolina.
The Middle Tyger Education Center is a collaboration among several key entities, including SEW Eurodrive, Spartanburg County School District 5, Spartanburg Academic Movement, and the Middle Tyger Community Center. The partnerships formed for this project highlight the importance of public-private collaboration in addressing educational needs within the community.
During a recent visit to SEW Eurodrive in Wellford, Lt. Governor Pamela Evette emphasized the center’s significance in boosting community welfare and supporting economic development. Representatives have noted this project as an essential factor in enhancing the health of families and children in the area.
Former state Representative Rita Allison has also recognized the center as an effective economic development tool that demonstrates the advantages of public-private partnerships in education, showcasing a commitment to bolstering the region’s educational infrastructure.
The Middle Tyger Education Center is expected to play a crucial role in fostering early childhood development and providing families in Duncan and the surrounding areas with essential educational resources. With a focus on future generations, this initiative aims to contribute positively to the social fabric and economic vitality of the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Construction Begins on Childcare Education Center in Spartanburg County
Duncan Launches New Education Facility to Alleviate Childcare Shortages
Spartanburg County Showcases the Future of Work with Vocational Education
Southside Spartanburg Residents Express Development Concerns
Federal Grant Boosts Spartanburg’s Southside Community
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Middle Tyger Education Center
- Houston Chronicle: Spring Branch ISD Salaries
- Chicago Sun-Times: Sue Duncan Obituary
- District Administration: Superintendent Reuben Duncan
- Duncan Banner: Faith Learning Center
- Wikipedia: Early Childhood Education
- Google Search: Early Childhood Education
- Google Scholar: Early Childhood Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Early Childhood Education
- Google News: Early Childhood Education
