COLFAX, Iowa — A fun, unique fundraiser is set to take place Friday in Colfax to raise money for the cost of the new Colfax-Mingo Childcare Center that is currently being built.

Nick Smith, a Nashville country music artist, and Richard Arndt, a rising local musician, are taking the stage in Colax at the parking lot of Georgioz Pizza on Friday, Oct. 17.

The total cost of the project is $3.4 million. A grant from the state covered half of the cost, leaving the school and community to raise the other $1.7 million.

The center is set to be open year-round for newborns to four-year-olds, and will also offer before and after school care during the school year. Tim Salmon, Superintendent of Colfax-Mingo Schools, said that the new facility was needed for the community.

“Jasper County is considered a child care desert by the state, which means we have a lack of available seats in comparison to the number of families that need child care,” Salmon said. “So we knew in our community we have one really good childcare center, but it only has a capacity of 35-36 children starting at newborns. So there’s there’s a lack of available space which puts our parents in a real tough decision on what to do with their kids.”

Since construction started earlier this year, Salmon said that the school and community have been very heavily involved in the fundraising efforts. That effort has been paying off.

“We’re just about 900,000 short of our goal,” Salmon said. “So we have until next spring to get all those funds raised.”

The idea of the concert started with wanting to have a fun event for the community, while also raising money for the new childcare facility.

The doors open for the concert on Friday night at 6:00 with the music starting at 6:30. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. All money raised goes directly to the fundraising efforts of the Colfax-Mingo Childcare Center.

The address to the concert is: 12 E. Front St., Colfax, IA 50054.