A-dec, George Fox, NCC Partner to Open Newberg Childcare Center

Update 03/26/2025: Story was updated with additional context and comment from Jordan Beanblossom at A-dec, Inc.

NEWBERG, Ore. – A-dec, George Fox University, and Northwest Christian Church (NCC) announced Monday a partnership to develop Northwest Early Learning Academy (NELA), a child development center designed to address the region’s childcare shortage.

According to a press release from A-dec Inc., the 25,000-square-foot facility will be built on the southwesterly portion of Northwest Christian Church at the corner of East Mountainview Drive and Villa Road in Newberg, with plans to serve 200 children from six weeks to 5 years old. Construction is scheduled to begin in June, with an expected opening in fall 2026.

“At NCC, we believe that real life change happens in community with others,” said David Case, lead pastor of Northwest Christian Church who joined the collaboration in 2024. “I see NELA as the beginning of a cornerstone for how we continue to support families in our community through this collaborative partnership.”

The initiative began during the COVID-19 pandemic when A-dec and George Fox University identified the urgent need for more childcare options in Newberg and Yamhill County. According to a report published by Oregon State University, Yamhill County has only one available childcare slot for every 10 children under age 2 and two slots for every 10 children ages 3 to 5.

“We are so pleased that these three fine Newberg institutions can create such an innovative partnership,” said George Fox University President Robin Baker. “One of George Fox’s strategic goals is to serve our community, and helping provide affordable childcare is a tangible way to improve the lives of our neighbors. I believe this project will make a big difference for families in our city and region.”

NELA has drawn support from the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners, the John and Ginger Niemeyer Foundation, Business Oregon, and the City of Newberg. The center aims to improve childcare accessibility, affordability, and workforce availability, key issues in Oregon’s ongoing childcare crisis.

In early 2023, the Newberg City Council voted to approve an adjusted system development charge (SDC) model that waived change-of-use transportation and wastewater fees for childcare facilities. Newberg Mayor Bill Rosacker, who was on the SDC committee that recommended those and other changes, said he wasn’t aware of the project before late 2024 but is glad to see more childcare coming to Newberg in the future.

“It’s a great feeling to see this objective being met,” Rosacker said. “Obviously, we need childcare, and the city is doing its part. I wish that we could address the statewide planning issues that make it cost more so that Newberg could share the revenue reductions with the state. Until then, Newberg will have to bear the load by ourselves.”

Jordan Beanblossom, Head of Communications for A-Dec, Inc., said the council’s decision to waive SDCs for childcare facilities was another green light for the project to move forward.

“We’re grateful for the coalition of supporters at the local, regional, and state level who have supported this critical initiative,” he said.

A-dec, one of the largest privately owned dental equipment manufacturers in the United States, is headquartered in Newberg, less than a mile from the proposed childcare facility.

“A-dec’s purpose is to provide opportunities and care for people,” said A-dec Chairman of the Board Scott Parrish. “I’m very excited that we can contribute to a center that will help provide greater access to high-quality, affordable childcare. My hope is that we’re creating a center that will benefit families in our community for many years to come.”

CORRECTION March 27: Jordan Beanblossom’s quote was in correction, changed from “support” to “supporters”. He was also misgendered. Newsberg regrets the errors.