Cook County is in Northeastern Minnesota, surrounded by Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters
Wilderness Area and Canada. The 2010 U.S. Census reports that 5,176 people make their permanent
home within the county. Cook County is a sanctuary that holds incredible history, resilience, and
strength.

The Cook County Public Health and Human Services Community Health Assessment (2019) revealed
significant challenges around child care costs, waiting lists and availability, as well as the influence on
the local workforce. Approximately 40% of jobs within Cook County are in the Leisure and Hospitality
field, which creates a need for child care that can accommodate non-traditional work hours. As of June
2021, it is estimated that there is a need for 96 additional licensed child care slots for children under the
age of 5 in Cook County.