MANHATTAN (KSNT) - The Manhattan area is taking action to address the childcare shortage.  On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Childcare Business Initiative (CBI) broke ground for its new state-of-the-art facility. The new facility will offer eight fully equipped childcare suites, which independent providers will operate.  Organizers hope this collaborative environment will provide training and resources to ensure providers are prepared to operate their independent businesses successfully.  The goal of this new facility is for it to "serve as an entrepreneurial accelerator for childcare providers," and help them move the initiative to independent places in the community, according to a press release from CBI. The organization asserts that 50% of the local childcare demand is not being met in Riley County.  Bison for sale at upcoming auction in Kansas, what to know 27 News spoke with Lisa Isaacson, the Executive Director of CBI and the Flint Hills Community Accelerator, about her dream for the project.  "The possibility in the future there are other projects in our state that are partnering with employers and employers are actually paying a portion of childcare for their employees," Isaacson said. "So that is not currently a part of our project, but that is a dream of mine to partner with local businesses to make that happen." The $6 million project is set to be completed in July 2025. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.