Key findings
- In 2018, the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes will generate an estimated $1.1 million of economic activity in Becker County. Industries impacted the most will be owner-occupied dwellings (housing), hospitals and wholesale trade.
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In 2020, the Club will contribute an estimated $1.5 million in economic activity to the state. This includes $783,100 in labor income and 27 jobs.
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In total, the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes will contribute an estimated $1.2 million annually to Becker County’s economy upon expansion.
- West Central Minnesota currently has an estimated shortage of 2,095 child care slots. This means that resources like the Boys and Girls Club are critical community resources.
About this report
The Boys and Girls Club is a youth service group located in Detroit Lakes and Perham, Minnesota. It exists to “to enable all young people, especially those that need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” It provides structured after-school and summer programming for youth 5- to 18-year-olds. The Boys and Girls Club emphasizes academic success, a healthy lifestyle, good character and citizenship.
Since 2006, membership in the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes has grown by 45 percent. School year daily attendance is up 206 percent and summer daily attendance by 89 percent. The Club is planning a $6 million expansion. The expansion includes a new 29,650 square foot building that features separate spaces for pre-K kids, elementary students and teens. Building plans also include a gymnasium and fenced outdoor play area.
The Boys and Girls Club is funding the expansion project through a variety of sources, including a federal New Markets Tax Credit. As part of the New Markets Tax Credit, Equity Plus, LLC hired University of Minnesota Extension to conduct a study measuring the economic contribution of the Club. This analysis includes an overview of the demographics and economy of Becker County (home to Detroit Lakes), along with trends in the childcare industry.
Reviewed in 2018