BWXT donates $25,000 to YMCA childcare center expansion

BWX Technologies is donating $25,000 to the Unicoi County Family YMCA to help contribute to the construction of a new childcare center aimed at expanding access to childcare for working families in the community. The donation was presented by BWXT President of Tennessee Operations Ron Dailey as construction continues on the YMCA's 8,000-square-foot childcare expansion. The facility broke ground in July and is expected to be substantially completed by the end of the year, with the YMCA hoping to have the project fully completed by early 2027. Dailey said BWXT has worked with the Ayers Foundation and Tennessee Economic and Community Development as efforts have progressed to expand childcare in Erwin. "I can't say enough about the importance of childcare, particularly as we try to grow jobs in this area," Dailey said. "I'm just really proud to be able to support this tremendous effort that Lesley and her team and her board have led." The YMCA has a longstanding relationship with BWXT, with roughly 150 BWXT employees holding memberships at the facility. Dailey said the YMCA also supports BWXT employees and their families through programs such as after-school care and other services. "For us, it's the next step in growth," Dailey said of the childcare expansion. Unicoi County Family YMCA CEO Lesley Franklin said the donation will directly support furnishing classrooms inside the new facility, which she said will make a meaningful difference for local families seeking reliable childcare while working. "This is significant because childcare is such a desert here in Erwin and Unicoi County," Franklin said. "This is going to go so far. It's going to go to furnishing classrooms for our little ones." The expansion is part of a larger effort to address childcare needs in the community and support economic development. The project is being made possible in large part through a grant from the Ayers Foundation Trust as part of the Come Home Tennessee initiative, which is intended to help attract and retain young workers, particularly in rural areas Tennessee. The new center will include four classrooms, a play area and kitchen space. Franklin said construction is progressing well, although the YMCA is working under a tight timeline and is hoping for favorable weather as work continues. "We're on a very tight deadline, so we're praying for good health, good weather, so that we can get this project hopefully completed by early 2027," Franklin said. Franklin said the YMCA is grateful for the businesses, foundations, government partners, staff and board members helping bring the expansion to fruition. "We are so grateful, we are so blessed to be able to bring this to the community," she said. "It's going to make just a huge, huge difference to the families here in Erwin as they try to get meaningful, reliable childcare while they're employed."