Duncan community center begins work on $19M education facility

Construction has begun on a $19 million education facility in the Upstate.

The Middle Tyger Community Center celebrated a major milestone recently with the groundbreaking ceremony of the Middle Tyger Education Center. The new, 44,500-square-foot facility will sit on 13.08 acres at 101 S Danzler Road in Duncan on the corner across from Byrnes High School, according to a news release.

The center aims to address the critical shortage of early childhood education resources in western Spartanburg County, an area designated as a childcare desert, the release stated.

“With 73% of South Carolina kindergarteners classified as ‘not ready’ for school, investing in early childhood education is more important than ever,” said Haley Grau, executive director of MTCC, in the release. “The development of the Middle Tyger Education Center represents our unwavering commitment to ensuring that all families—regardless of income—have access to quality, affordable childcare. We are especially grateful to partners like SEW Eurodrive, Spartanburg Academic Movement, and Spartanburg School District 5.

“This project is proof that public-private partnerships can truly move the needle for children and families — and serve as a model across the state.”

For over 25 years, MTCC has been a cornerstone of the Spartanburg County community, providing essential support services to families, the release stated. The addition of the Middle Tyger Education Center will further MTCC’s mission to improve educational outcomes, empower communities, break cycles of generational poverty, and promote long-term family stability.

SEW Eurodrive, a major employer in the region and one of the lead investors in the project, has a long-standing relationship with MTCC. Many of the families served by the Center are employed by the company, and its support is a reflection of its commitment to the community, the release stated.

“SEW Eurodrive is proud to invest in the future of this community by supporting the Middle Tyger Education Center,” said Rainer Blickle, vice president of SEW Eurodrive USA, in the release. “We believe strongly in the mission of MTCC and in the power of early education to uplift families. This project will have a lasting impact—not only for our employees’ families but for the broader economic and social health of the region.”

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Beyond its educational impact, the Middle Tyger Education Center will generate significant economic benefits. The construction phase will create jobs, and once operational, the center will provide employment opportunities for early childhood educators and support staff, the release stated. Research underscores the long-term benefits of investing in early education, including a 46% reduction in incarceration rates, a 33% decline in violent crime arrests, and a 26% decrease in reliance on government assistance.

Additionally, the new center will help alleviate the financial strain of childcare on local families, the release stated. In the region, the average cost of childcare is approximately $300 per week, or $14,000 annually—an expense that places a heavy burden on working parents. By expanding access to high-quality early education, the Middle Tyger Education Center will provide much-needed relief and support to families striving for economic stability.