EO Transforms Former Kmart into $26.5 Million Workforce and Child Development Hub

Just one day after the last Kmart closed its doors for good, EO opened the Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub, transforming a once-vacant retail store in Abingdon, Virginia into a multi-functional space that will serve the community for generations. The highly anticipated Hub opened on October 21 and is a timely response to the childcare crisis and post-COVID economic slowdown.

According to national studies, nearly 51% of U.S. residents live in "childcare deserts," areas where licensed care is scarce or inaccessible. In rural communities, the gap between children and available childcare can be triple the rate of more urban areas. Lack of childcare leads to significant employment barriers and reduced workforce participation rates, especially among mothers. It also leaves employers unable to run at full capacity, further challenging the economic stability of communities.

“Through our research, we’ve established that access to high-quality childcare is as important to a region’s economy as broadband, roads, and other infrastructure,” explained Travis Staton, CEO and President of EO. “Without access to reliable care, families are sidelined from working and employers cannot run at full capacity. It can also make it more difficult to attract large employers to the area.”

By positioning early childhood care and education as an economic driver, EO has built tremendous momentum and buy-in. The $26.5 million project garnered support from a unique blend of public, private, and philanthropic partnerships, a model that is getting attention from across the state. Notably, nearly 80% of the funding for this initiative came from private sources.

The 87,000 square foot Hub includes 300 new childcare slots, creating a pathway for more parents to enter and remain in the workforce. In addition, the Hub is home to numerous workforce development initiatives, including Career Commons, a 25,000 square foot miniature city where over 30,000 students from 21 regional school systems can explore various professions through interactive, hands-on experiences.

By transforming a once-empty retail space into a cornerstone of economic and educational opportunities, EO provides critical services that support today’s workforce and a thriving economy tomorrow.

For more information, visit EOco.org/Hub.