Jefferson County Kids, Inc. receive $600,000 grant

FAIRFIELD - Jefferson County Kids, Inc. is another step closer to completing their child care center project.

The nonprofit was recently awarded a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), according to a release from Jefferson County Kids. The grant will fund the construction of a 14,000 square-foot child care center, which will be able to serve up to 185 children.

Jefferson County Kids, Inc. collaborated with Early Childhood Iowa for Iowa/Jefferson and Keokuk Counties (ECI), Fairfield Economic Development Association (FEDA) and Area 15 Regional Planning Commision on the grant application.

Chris Bowers, Executive Director of Area 15 Regional Planning Commission, said providing child care 'is important to economic development.”

'Quality child care services are essential to attract and maintain a good workforce. Area 15 Regional Planning Commission is proud to partner with FEDA, ECI, City of Fairfield, Jefferson County Kids, and IEDA to make this project a success,” Bowers said.

Jefferson County Kids was formed following a 2018 study that found Jefferson County had a deficit of over 500 child care spaces. Currently, Jefferson County Kids, Inc. is working on a $3.5 million capital campaign and fundraising effort to fund the construction of the center. In January, the Fairfield City Council annexed the portion of land on Libertyville Drive into the city limits that Jefferson County Kids plans to build on.

Joshua Laraby, executive director of FEDA and co-project manager for Jefferson County Kids, said the project is a 'strong example of how a rural community can come together through public-private partnerships.”

'This new center will expand child care access and position our community to attract and retain more workforce. Area 15 Regional Planning Commission's expertise was enormously helpful in the success of this award. This award brings our capital campaign funding to over $2.3 of the $3.5 million goal,” Laraby said.

The executive director added the nonprofit's initial goal was to be 'fully pledged by March 31,” however with the current coronavirus outbreak, the fundraising timeline could be facing adjustments.

'We are still moving forward with active fundraising in order for construction to start this year,” he said.

Laraby noted the fundraising campaign is asking businesses to think long-term about the child care needs in Jefferson County.

'We're not ignoring immediate public health needs, but for this project to be a success, we need to look long-term when considering pledging,” he added.

Laraby said FEDA's pursuit of increasing child care options in the county has drawn the attention of state and federal officials. The executive director has been invited to meet with Ivanka Trump and Alex Azar, the secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Laraby was also invited to the White House's summit on child care and paid leave. In February, Laraby presented a program at the Early Education Summit with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.