Work is on schedule to open a new learning center on the ground floor of the Commerce Chenango headquarters in Norwich. The center will be the first of its kind in 20 years in the city, providing some relief to the area’s childcare shortage. (Photo by Shawn Magrath)

NORWICH – Construction is rapidly progressing on downtown Norwich’s first early learning center in 20 years, with officials eyeing an opening late this year or early in 2027 to help alleviate Chenango County’s childcare shortage.

The new facility, to be named “The Beginning Place,” will occupy the ground floor of Commerce Chenango headquarters at 23 E. Main St. The $1 million project is funded through a Restore New York Communities grant awarded to the City of Norwich in May 2025 and administered via Empire State Development, along with a required 10 percent match from the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency (IDA).

The Chenango IDA contracted with Principle Design Engineering to draw up blueprints earlier this year. Upstate Companies of Mount Upton, the firm contracted to lead construction, anticipates work to be completed by November, according to the IDA.

"Construction is rapidly progressing," said Sal Testani, president and CEO of Commerce Chenango, the sister agency of the Chenango IDA. "We’re right on schedule."

Interior framing is complete, with crews currently building out the kitchen area and starting work on the outdoor playground. Testani said construction should wrap up by early November.

"So far, things have gone very well," Testani said. "We expect to be open and ready to go sometime before the first of the year."

When fully operational, The Beginning Place will provide full-time early learning care for up to 50 children under the age of 3. Because the program will operate without building overhead costs, administrators can direct more resources toward staffing and educational programming.

The nonprofit youth agency The Place will oversee operations and is currently recruiting a program coordinator. Once hired, The Place will finalize licensing with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

"Once we get that person in place, we’ll finish up licensing requirements," said Sharon Vesely, director of The Place.

The center plans a phased rollout, likely starting with two classrooms. In addition to a coordinator, the facility will be hiring lead teachers, support teachers, and floating staff.

Demand for the facility is already high, with 20 families currently on a newly established waiting list.

"There is a definite need," Vesely said. "We’re continuing to speak with local businesses to gain their support, both financially and through promoting the program to their employees."

Officials hope to secure final licensing by late this year or early 2027, with a target to open by the first quarter of 2027, if not December 2026.

In 2024, the Preferred Mutual Insurance Company sold the building at a reduced price in support of the childcare center initiative. The IDA purchased the property while Commerce Chenango agreed to lease the space for a financially sustainable business model that could support a childcare center. Organizers say the center’s location is ideal due to its proximity to several downtown employers.