GILLETTE - Campbell County's growing population has awakened a need for child-oriented services, from day care to a new kids' clothing store.

Even after a record number of infants born at Campbell County Memorial Hospital in 2007, the hospital staff is gearing up for record numbers again this year. The birth numbers have steadily climbed during the last few years, from 726 in 2006 to 746 in 2007, and more than 800 births are projected for 2008.

With more people coming to Gillette for work, many people are choosing to put down roots and raise families here.

"We're seeing an increase in people," said Dane Johnson, Campbell County Memorial Hospital community relations coordinator.

With a growing Hispanic population and more people from surrounding towns including Newcastle and Sundance using the hospital facilities, birth rates are continuing to rise in Campbell County, according to Johnson. Already this year, numbers have increased over 2007, with 60 babies born in January compared to 46 the same month last year. The hospital is on track to see 60 babies born in February and 70 or more in March.

"We're truly experiencing a great influx of people," Johnson said. "In March they're projecting a huge month."

The hospital keeps abreast of the anticipated numbers through the four OB/GYN practitioners in the community, as well as the family practices that also offer maternity services. One of the doctors, Donald Parker, is recruiting for an additional physician to help with the increasing demand for maternity services.

"The load on the OBs is significant," Johnson said.

Demand for day care

While the hospital maternity ward is currently fully staffed, other businesses are helping meet the demands of the growing infant and toddler population.

The demand for day care has been steadily increasing the last few years as employers struggle to fill open jobs. Eager to fill that void, co-owners Gretchen Zoolinger and Destiny Moelter opened Hugs-n-Bugs on East Second Street in October.

The two understood firsthand the need for more child care in Gillette. Before opening Hugs-n-Bugs, Moelter, a single mother, was struggling to find day care for her own children and decided Gillette needed additional services for working parents.

"They (day cares) all had waiting lists of two years or more, and none of them take infants," Zoolinger said. "There's just a high need for good, quality care."

After doing some extensive research, Zoolinger and Moelter decided Gillette needed another day care facility that would offer parents flexibility and options. Hugs-n-Bugs offers full-time day care and is the only licensed day care facility in Gillette to offer drop-in services.

"We're almost full capacity in the regular day care," Zoolinger said. "We would like to see people get really excited about the drop-in care."

The drop-in care is a great opportunity for parents to run errands or take a break by getting the hair or nails done, Zoolinger said. So far, there's been a lot of positive response about the services offered.

"Single moms and new people to the community love the facility," Zoolinger said. "There's a lot of families who leave their own support system to live here."

Kids' clothing

Across town on Lakeway Road, Sharla Miller is preparing to open her new kids clothing store, Tiny Bugz. She, too, understands the need for expanded services for children in Campbell County.

A mother of five children, Miller often traveled to bigger cities to shop for her children's clothes. But with the growth in Gillette, Miller thought it was time to give parents the convenience of shopping close to home.

"Having five kids of my own, I travel out of Gillette all the time to buy clothes," Miller said. "The numbers are just continuing to grow - I just think there's a real need."

Tiny Bugz will offer name-brand clothing - Oshkosh, Carters, Roxie and Hurley - for infants to 'tweens. Miller says prices for the clothes will hit all price ranges, with the hope of having something for everyone.

"My goals are to keep a variety of clothing," Miller said. "I'll be able to supply local children and their parents with quality clothing."

If all goes well, Miller hopes to open the store next week and celebrate with a grand opening in late March.