Cherokee Nation Invests $25 Million In New Childcare Center To Benefit Catoosa Community

The Cherokee Nation broke ground on a project to bring more childcare to Catoosa on Thursday.

The tribe says it is making childcare a priority and invested $25 million in a new childcare development center near the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Junior says it won't just be the tribe that benefits.

"You think about childcare as being something the whole community shares in. Any time you add slots to an area that needs more slots, it doesn't matter who gets those slots. It really helps the whole area, so this is going to ease a burden beyond just the 100 kids who get to go to this facility."

Hoskin says the facility will start out with normal daytime hours but could later expand into early morning and evening hours.