Federal stimulus money will pay for a $9.6 million child development center at the Marine Corps Base Hawai'i at Kane'ohe Bay.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific said AMEC-Nan Joint Venture LLC of Honolulu has been awarded the contract to build the center.

"The funding for this facility came about at a great time," said Lt. Cmdr. Lance Lee, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i public works officer. "The new CDC will really benefit our Marines and sailors and their families on base."

Plans call for a low-rise, reinforced masonry child development center with air conditioning and a fire protection and alarm system. The work is expected to be completed in early 2011.