Child care and education
Hibbing Parents Nursery School and Daycare, Inc. (HPNS) has served families in the Hibbing community since 1966. This small, family-oriented nonprofit and preschool offers childcare for children beginning at 16 months of age, part-time preschool, and
after-school care for children up to 12 years old. As a parent cooperative, HPNS has remained a trusted local resource in the Hibbing community.
When leadership changes coincided with the need to relocate, Director Pia Groszbach stepped up to ensure this essential childcare provider could continue serving the community. With limited childcare options in the area, closing HPNS was not an option.
The City of Hibbing’s Community Development Director connected HPNS with the Northland Small Business Development Center for assistance.
“The most helpful part was having so much knowledge come together in one place,” Pia shared. “We absolutely would not have pulled this off without this great resource.”
Northland SBDC helped HPNS identify potential locations for the childcare, navigate stakeholder conversations, and understand funder requirements.
Northland SBDC also worked closely with regional technical assistance and funding partners, including Hibbing Economic Development Authority (HEDA), Northland Foundation, and First Children’s Finance to help move the project forward.
According to Northland SBDC consultant Katherine Lahti, “Supporting Pia and Hibbing Parents Nursery School and Daycare through their relocation was incredibly rewarding. The dedication of Pia and the HPNS staff along with the shared commitment of our regional partners helped ensure critical childcare slots stayed in Hibbing while creating a more cozy, modern space for children.”
Today, HPNS continues to provide a nurturing, family-centered environment for children while supporting working families in the Hibbing area.