The small town of Colman is grappling with a growing challenge: a critical shortage of childcare providers.
Community leaders say around 30 babies were born in the area this past year, a result of adult children of multi-generational residents returning home to raise families, along with an influx of young couples new to the area.
The trend has put significant pressure on the community’s four long-time in-home childcare providers, who are already operating at full capacity with growing wait lists.
“There is a huge need,” said Lori Hansen, a local realtor and board member for the Colman Economic Development Corporation (CEDC).
Hansen and other CEDC board members say the challenge directly impacts Colman’s ability to attract and retain young families — crucial for the town’s growth.

The challenge reflects a broader issue across rural America. A report from the Center for American Progress revealed that more than 60% of rural families live in areas classified as “childcare deserts” — where there are more than three children for every licensed childcare slot.
In smaller communities like Colman or other towns in Moody County, limited childcare options often leave parents with difficult choices: relying on family, commuting to neighboring towns for care, or one parent leaving the workforce entirely.
For months, Brooke Rollag, a CEDC board member, has been helping assess Colman’s childcare needs and explore potential solutions. She said addressing this issue is about more than convenience — it’s about creating a foundation for the town’s future.
Rollag, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Lake Area Improvement Corporation (LAIC) in nearby Madison, has firsthand experience tackling this issue.
Over the past three years, she has been part of a team leading efforts to develop a multi-million-dollar childcare facility in Madison. The project, which recently broke ground, is set to serve up to 140 children and provide extended hours to meet the needs of working families. The facility will be run through a partnership with EMBE, a Sioux Falls-based organization that provides childcare.
Colman’s solution, when it does come, will likely look very different in scope, but Rollag and Hansen emphasized the importance of treating childcare as essential infrastructure.
“In order for a community to thrive and attract young families — and in turn, more businesses and more workers — childcare needs to be part of the conversation,” Rollag said.
The CEDC is still weighing its options but remains committed to finding a solution. Hansen and Rollag hope that by addressing the need, Colman can ensure its future as a vibrant and welcoming place for young families to call home.