FTCC's Early Childhood Education Center closes for good due to COVID-19

Fayetteville Technical Community College's Early Childhood Education Center is closed permanently due to COVID-19, a spokesperson said Tuesday night.

"The center has closed permanently," said Catherine Pritchard, executive director of public relations and marketing at FTCC. "It has been closed since March 20 because of COVID-19. On Monday, it was determined that the center will not reopen."

A notice about the business' closure was also posted on its website.

Pritchard said the center "has operated at a loss every year since 2011. For three years between 2006 and 2010, it finished with a slight surplus.

"Over the four years before 2020, the center operated with an average annual loss of $70,500. The closure due to COVID-19 exacerbated those losses severely. When 2020 is factored in, the center has lost more than half a million dollars over the past five years."

Pritchard said each of the center's 30 employees have been paid since March 20 and will continue to be paid through June 30. In the letter posted on its website, FTCC President Dr. J. Larry Keen said "The College plans to work with each employee on their options for the future."