The board of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) and the Village of Pandora made a joint announcement on January 23 that plans have been developed to continue operation of the Hilty Preschool and Childcare, 304 Hilty Dr, Pandora. Purchasers have been found for the preschool and the Village of Pandora is applying to purchase the facility.
Local businessmen Zachary Buckland and Evan Schroeder have formed Hilty’s Faithful Foundations Preschool and Childcare, LLC to create a new business that will continue to provide childcare in the facility. They plan to expand the childcare service into adjacent space formerly used as the Hilty Memorial Home.
In collaboration with MHCO, current operations will continue through March 31, 2024. Amanda Dettrow will continue as preschool director, a position she has held for 17 years.
The Village of Pandora has submitted a purchase proposal to HUD, the loan holder for the 60,000 square foot building. The Hilty Memorial Home closed in December 2022.
Pandora Mayor Jeremy Liechty has commented, "We believe that by attempting to purchase the building, Pandora will have the Hilty daycare remain in place and opportunities for other businesses to grow within our community. We appreciate how MCHO continued to maintain the Hilty facility and we are hopeful that an offer for the building is accepted by HUD to keep moving forward in 2024.”
The Village of Pandora will work to determine what additional operations can utilize other areas of the facility.
