PRESS RELEASE: Joint Base Andrews breaks ground on $25M child development center

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES

12.10.2024

Story by Matthew Ebarb 

316th Wing

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. – A new era of childcare and family support began today at Joint Base Andrews as leaders and community members celebrated the groundbreaking of a new Child Development Center (CDC), Dec. 10. The 26,000-square-foot facility, scheduled for completion in 2026, will create 80 new childcare provider positions, invest $25 million in local businesses, and serve over 160 military children — representing a significant investment in the quality of life for military families and the regional community.

Col. Jun S. Oh, commander, 316th Wing, provided opening remarks before he and 10 children of service members ceremonially broke ground on the project. Col. Mindy A. P. Davitch, commander, 316th Mission Support Group, gave the closing remarks.

“As a service member and mom of three children, all of whom attended Child Development Centers, I know firsthand how vital it is to have trustworthy, high-quality childcare, especially while balancing the demands of service and family life,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Mindy A. P. Davitch, 316th Mission Support Group commander. “Together, we are building more than just a building; we are building a brighter tomorrow for our children and our community.”

The new CDC is part of the Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Taking Care of Our Service Members and Families initiative, which emphasizes significant investments in childcare infrastructure. This project underscores the Air Force’s dedication to improving service members’ quality of life and readiness by addressing the needs of their families.

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• Date Taken: 12.10.2024
• Date Posted: 12.19.2024 08:06
• Story ID: 487123
• Location: JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND, US