The final beam to be placed in the Early Childhood Learning Center, a multijurisdictional SPLOST 7 project between Chatham County and the City of Savannah, was signed by local leadership on Monday.

The ceremonial beam signing at the construction site on East Perry Lane commemorated the partnership between Chatham County, Savannah, and East Savannah United.

(From left) Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, State Senator Derek Mallow, and Chatham County Chairman Chester A. Ellis speak to members of the media at the Early Childhood Learning Center beam signing ceremony on Monday.

 

The ECLC, set to be completed in Fall of 2026, aims to address educational and economic health disparities in East Savannah.

Designed to provide quality education-based childcare services, the ECLC will serve children from six weeks to four years old, and will accommodate up to 144 children, adhering to Quality Rated standards set by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. The ECLC will be constructed on property provided through a long-term ground lease with the Housing Authority, underscoring the strong partnership between local government and community organizations. 

State Senator Derek Mallow, who also serves as the Executive Director of East Savannah United, says the ECLC will give many children opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have.

“We want to make sure that every child has an opportunity and an opportunity to succeed, and so 50% of the children enrolled in this early learning center must be from this community and must be low income,” Mallow said. “We want to ensure that everybody has a fighting chance on the east side, so that we can truly reduce poverty.”

 

Chatham County Chairman Chester A. Ellis signs a beam that will be part of the construction of the Early Childhood Learning Center, funded by SPLOST 7.

 

Chatham County Chairman and CEO Chester A. Ellis said the ECLC will be a bridge to providing students additional resources in the critical stages of early education.

“We want to bridge that gap,” Ellis said. “We want to get in between so that our kids are equipped and ready for life. I’m glad we’re here today, I’m glad the citizens can see that we work together, City Council, County Commission, and the private sector.  We can come together and recognize what the need is for Chatham County, and meet that need.”

While this ECLC was funded by SPLOST 7, the SPLOST 8 referendum on the November 4 ballot will include funding to construct a second Early Childhood Learning Center, further expanding access to early education resources.