Rural Pathways and Iron Range Tykes Featured in Mesabi Tribune
We’re excited to share that our child care innovation work has been featured in the Mesabi Tribune! Reporter Marie Tolen covered our partnership with Iron Range Tykes Learning Center and the Enhanced Two-Tier Provider Partnership Model that recently won top honors at the 2025 Wings of Innovation National Summit.
From the Article
The piece highlights the critical childcare shortage facing rural Minnesota and how our collaboration with Shawntel Gruba, owner and director of Iron Range Tykes Learning Center in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, is addressing this crisis through innovative employer partnerships and expanded tax credits. Some key quotes from the article:
On the childcare crisis in rural areas:
“In rural America, Child Care deserts create a community-wide crisis that disrupts economic growth, family stability, and children’s futures. Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, where Iron Range Tykes is located, is one of the state’s most severe Child Care deserts.”
Rural Pathways co-founder Staci Gilpin on the challenges providers face:
“What’s especially frustrating when you go and start a business, whether it’s childcare or whatever, you expect to make a living wage, especially when you provide essential infrastructure for a community.”
Iron Range Tykes owner and director Shawntel Gruba on the model’s impact:
“This award is a testament to what’s possible when providers and partners work together. By leveraging partnerships and employer investment, we can ensure providers like me—and our staff—are supported at living-wage levels, while families can afford stable, high-quality care they need.”
The article does an excellent job explaining how the model will reduce staff turnover at Iron Range Tykes from 40% to under 10% while delivering a 44-50% return on investment for participating employers.
Why This Coverage Matters
As Staci noted in the article, winning the national award has added credibility to the platform: “I think it makes it so when we’re meeting with people and talking about it, it gets people to stop and listen.”
Media coverage like this helps spread awareness about sustainable solutions for rural childcare—solutions that could be replicated in communities across the country facing similar challenges.
Read the Full Article
Check out the complete story in the Mesabi Tribune: Local Childcare Center Recognized for Innovation (PDF here)
Interested in learning more about Rural Pathways’ work in rural community development? Contact us to explore how innovative partnerships can strengthen your community.