Iowa State Bank Invests in Child Care Center

FAIRFIELD, IOWA (May 20, 2020) Iowa State Bank of Fairfield has pledged $60,000 to Jefferson County Kids future child care center, bringing the funds raised to $2.6 of the $3.5 million goal. The new facility will be built in Fairfield and will have a capacity of 185 child care spaces, infant to 12 years old.

Aaron Kness, President and CEO of Iowa State Bank, said, “Iowa State Bank recognizes the tremendous value a child care facility provides to the community. We can’t attract and retain young families without sufficient child care spaces. This project is as important as anything else we’ve supported in the past.”

A 2018 Jefferson County Child Care Market Study identified a deficit of over 500 child care spaces in the county, which included a need for 137 infant spaces. Kness further stated, “After my wife, Terri, and I moved here in 2007 to start a family, we became very concerned about finding child care. Thankfully, we were able to send our boys to an amazing in-home provider, but many parents are not as fortunate. Every family deserves quality child care. It should not depend on luck or good timing.”

The project has received national attention for its innovative public-private partnership approach; by partnering with the business community to bring a solution to reduce the shortage and add spaces.

“We want to thank Iowa State Bank for their generous contribution to Jefferson County Kids’ capital campaign. This is an extremely important project for our community, and we appreciate outstanding business leaders like Iowa State Bank, who support the growth of Fairfield and Jefferson County,” said Kate Van Pelt, Jefferson County Kids Board Treasurer and Secretary. Those interested in participating in the capital campaign should contact Joshua Laraby, Co-Project Manager for Jefferson County Kids.

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

Media Contacts
Joshua Laraby, Executive Director                                       Aaron Kness
Fairfield Economic Development Association                   Iowa State Bank & Trust Co.
641-472-3436                                                                            641-472-3161
Joshua.Laraby@growfairfield.com                                      akness@isbff.com

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