Middle Tyger Community Center (Duncan, SC) officially opened its new Middle Tyger Education Center on Aug. 14, 2026 marking a significant investment in early childhood education and workforce development in Spartanburg County. The 42,000-square-foot campus expands childcare capacity from 60 children to 265 and creates innovative and enriching spaces for infants through 4K students.
Designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS) with Edifice handling construction, the new center stands as a model for how public and private organizations can work together to address one of the region’s most pressing economic challenges: access to affordable, high-quality childcare.
The project was made possible through a coalition of partners that included lead donor SEW-Eurodrive, Spartanburg County School District Five, the State of South Carolina, the Mary Black Foundation, Founders Federal Credit Union, Spartanburg Academic Movement, Contec Inc., Greater Than Us, and the AFL Foundation. The campus was also built on land donated by District Five.
Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette highlighted the center as a blueprint for communities across South Carolina, emphasizing that public-private partnerships are essential for expanding childcare access and supporting economic growth.
Every classroom, gathering space, counseling room and family-centered area reflects a shared belief that families deserve access to exceptional resources close to home.”
– Haley Grau, Executive Director / Middle Tyger Community Center
Julie Henderson, COO, Middle Tyger Community Center noted that this opening represents “years of planning, extraordinary partnerships, generous community investment, and a shared commitment to ensuring every child and every family has the opportunity to thrive.”
With 17 classrooms, therapy and observation rooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, and family-centered support spaces, the Middle Tyger Education Center represents more than a new facility. It is an inspirational public-private investment in education, workforce development, and long-term regional prosperity.
Additional project partners: Bluewater Civil, Structural Systems Engineering, Crow and Bulman (Plumbing, Mechanical), Carolina Engineering Solutions (Electrical, Fire Protection), Seamon Whiteside (Landscaping).
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