Libertyville Savings Banks Partners on Child Care Center

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FAIRFIELD, IOWA (June 18, 2020) Libertyville Savings Bank, has joined ranks with Jefferson County Kids to bring its future child care center a step closer by pledging $50,000 toward the project.

Jill Burnett, CEO of Libertyville Saving Banks said, “As a locally owned and operated bank, we are committed to supporting the needs of our communities. We know childcare has been an issue in Jefferson County for some time and this project will benefit Fairfield and all of Jefferson County. We feel fortunate to be able to support the project.”

This pledge, along with pledges from individuals in the last month, raises fundraising efforts to $2.7 million of the $3.5 million capital campaign goal.

Teri Bockting, Vice President of the Jefferson County Kids Board of Directors, said, “The Jefferson County Kids Board of Directors would like to thank Libertyville Savings Bank for their contribution to building a new childcare center in Fairfield. This generous support will assist in developing a new early childhood learning center to teach and grow the area’s youngest residents. We’re excited to offer additional quality childcare to parents and caregivers in order to give them the ability to be part of a successful workforce to grow our local economies. We truly appreciate the commitment and partnership of Libertyville Savings Bank to serve Fairfield and Jefferson County.”

In addition to fundraising, the Jefferson County Kids Board of Directors are also progressing through pre-development work and continue to strive for a 2021 opening of the center.

Fairfield Economic Development Association, Executive Director, Joshua Laraby stated, “in addition to fundraising, the board of directors are working diligently ‘with all hands on deck’ on financing, environmental site work and pre-development planning to bring the new center to fruition. It takes strong partnerships like this one with Libertyville Savings Bank, to continue to galvanize the project and make it a reality.”

Jefferson County Kids, Inc. is 501(c)(3) tax-deductible and a charitable non-profit corporation.

Media Contacts
Joshua Laraby, Executive Director                                                    Amber Stump Mc Dowell
Fairfield Economic Development Association                                 Libertyville Savings Bank
641-472-3436                                                                                          641-472-9839
Joshua.Laraby@growfairfield.com                                                    astump@libertyvillesavingsbank.com

Capital Campaign Contact
Joshua Laraby, Executive Director
Fairfield Economic Development Association
641-472-3436
Joshua.Laraby@growfairfield.com
www.growfairfield.com/childcare

SBA Recognizes Ideal Energy with PPP Loan

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*Press Release courtesy of the Iowa District Office U.S. Small Business Administration

In the past decade, Fairfield-based Ideal Energy has grown from one of Iowa’s first solar companies to beome a leading energy firm in the Midwest. Founded in 2009 by former U.S. Navy Seal Troy Van Beek and his wife Amy, the company specializes in commercial and industrial solar installations. It is widely recognized for delivering innovative and advanced clean energy solutions to customers throughout the Heartland.

Ideal Energy is a pioneer in energy storage in Iowa. Its successful business strategy created a new energy market segment in the state and positioned the veteran-owned company as one of the top 20 solar and storage providers in the nation.

The Van Beeks anticipated significant growth in 2020 after doubling sales in the previous year. The company placed a large equipment order from its Chinese suppliers in December that was expected to arrive in March. The early COVID-19 outbreak in China delayed shipments for six weeks, impacting the company’s spring construction projects. Due to the disrupted supply chain, Ideal Energy felt the pandemic’s economic impact almost immediately. Without the necessary equipment, it could not meet its customers’ needs and its cashflow suffered greatly.

Thanks to an SBA-backed Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan through Iowa State Bank in Fairfield, Ideal Energy was able to operate at almost full staff level. Designated as an essential business, it immediately implemented safety procedures to protect its workers. Office staff, including engineers, designers, project managers, and sales professional were given the option to work from home. The company’s quick transition to virtual meetings offered continued service to future and existing clients. Its onsite field teams also took additional safety measures with daily temperature checks, frequent sanitization practices and upgraded PPE.

The Van Beeks credit Ideal Energy’s long-term relationship with Iowa State Bank and Vice President Karl Metcalf’s quick response in processing the PPP loan for helping the company navigate the crisis. The bank’s ongoing support of the local business community is an example of the important role community banks are playing in the COVID-19 economic recovery.

 Ideal Energy President Troy Van Beek (far left) with his field employees