Letter of Support for Hirschbach Motor Lines Childcare Challenge Grant ApplicationCopyrighted
December 6, 2021
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 9.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Letter of Support for Hirschbach Motor Lines Childcare Challenge Grant
Application
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of a letter of support to Hirschbach Motor
Lines regarding their Childcare Challenge Grant Application to open an
on -site high quality Early Learning Center.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Letter of Support for Hirschbach Motor Lines Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
D UB TE
Masterpiece on the .Mississippi
Hirschbach Motor Lines
2460 Kerper Blvd.
Dubuque, Iowa 61025
Dubuque
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2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
December 2, 2021
RE: Letter of Support for Childcare Challenge Grant Application
for On -Site Childcare Center
Dear Hirschbach Motor Lines,
City Manager's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4845
Office (563) 589-4110
Fax (563) 589-4149
TTY (563) 690-6678
ctymgr@cityofdubuque. org
www.cityofdubuque.org
It is with great enthusiasm that the City of Dubuque supports Hirschbach Motor Lines in making
application to open an on -site high quality, Early Learning Center. It is estimated that this Early
Learning Center will serve 75 children annually.
Unfortunately, Dubuque County has had a reduction of 20% of childcare programs over the past
5 years. While Dubuque County lost a significant number of childcare slots, Hirschbach Motor
Lines continues to increase employees in the workforce, having 359 employees in 2018, and
394 in 2021. This equates to 51 children needing childcare and more to come.
Over the last nine years, Hirschbach has demonstrated a strong commitment to their community
and their employees by adding benefits such as wellness incentive, FUN -ROOM, and life
insurance. In 2021, they surveyed their employees about additional benefits and adding a high -
quality Early Learning Center was noted as very important. As to be expected from their
commitment to their employees, the owners and leadership of Hirschbach decided to make this
a reality. The creation of a new Early Learning Center will not only help the Hirschbach Motor
Lines employees but will free up other childcare slots within Dubuque County for other
community members to access.
Due to the Hirschbach Motor Lines exemplar track record of growth and commitment to their
employees, I would recommend the Iowa Department of Human Services award a grant
contract to Hirschbach Motor Lines to start minor renovations in the former Four Oaks School
building located at 2460 Kerper Boulevard, Dubuque, Iowa, as well as funding for resources and
supplies for classroom development.
Sincerely,
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork