Greater Jefferson County Foundation Grants $250,000 to New Child Care Center
Back row left-to-right: Joshua Laraby (FEDA), John Morrissey GJCF (Ex-Officio Legal Counsel), Jessica Jones (GJCF Board Member), Joan Fulton (GJCF Board Member), Frank Redeker (GJCF Vice President & Operational Grant Chair, Bryan Hunger (Jeff Co Kids)
Front row left-to-right: Ashley Manning (GJCF Capital Grant Chair & Executive Secretary), Terri Kness (Jeff Co Kids)m Kara Waugh (GJCF President), Kate Van Pelt (Jeff Co Kids) Peggy Mottet (GJCF Board Member), Tammy Dunbar (GJCF Past Vice President and Grant Committee Chair)
(FAIRFIELD, IOWA) The Greater Jefferson County Foundation (GJCF) has awarded a $250,000 grant to Jefferson County Kids, Inc. (JCK) for its new child care center. The grant has been pledged over a five-year period. The grant, along with additional recent pledges, brings the capital campaign to $3 million of its $3.5 million goal.
Kara Waugh, GJCF President, said, “Supporting the new daycare fits within our mission of funding projects that will benefit people throughout Jefferson County. Our area needs more childcare spots and it is a need felt not only by families, but also employers throughout the region. Investing in this new daycare facility will impact economic development and improve the quality of life throughout our county. We are proud to be involved!”
The 14,000 square foot new construction child care center will boast 188 new child care spaces and will be located on a 3.5-acre site, just west of the Jefferson County Health Center, at 2094 Libertyville Road. 
Ashley Manning, GJCF Board Member, affirmed, “As a mother with young children, I understand the great need we have for a daycare center in Jefferson County! Having quality and reliable care for children is incredibly important for working parents. Currently, our community has quite a shortage in daycare providers. As a GJCF board member, I am ecstatic that we are able to help fund this very worthwhile endeavor!”
The Jefferson County Kids Board of Directors are awaiting final design approval of the center and aiming for a fall 2020 construction start, with an opening of the center summer of 2021.
Bryan Hunger, Jefferson County Kids President, agreed, “This is a monumental pledge to the capital campaign, and we’re incredibly grateful that the GJCF Board mutually sees the impact this will have for Jefferson County. This raises the capital campaign to a pivotal mark of $3 million of the $3.5 million goal. It’s imperative we raise the remaining $500,000 by the end of 2020, to guarantee the sustainability and success of the project.”
The Jefferson County Kids child care center project continues to receive state and national attention for its public-private partnership model, partnering with economic development, Early Childhood Iowa, businesses individuals, and state and federal government. For more information on the initiative, visit www.growfairfield.com/childcare
The mission of the Foundation is: “The Greater Jefferson County Foundation receives, accepts, and distributes funds for educational, cultural, civic and charitable purposes for the benefit of the greater community of Jefferson County, Iowa.” The Foundation was established in 1975 and has had significant growth over the recent years with this type of bequest and being the counties conduit to the Iowa Non-Gaming Community distribution from the State of Iowa. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at www.greaterjeffersoncountyfoundation.org.
Media Contacts
Greater Jefferson County Foundation
641-472-0758
gjcf0758@windstream.net
Joshua Laraby, Executive Director
Fairfield Economic Development Association
joshua.laraby@growfairfield.com
641-472-3436
Capital Campaign Contact
Joshua Laraby, Executive Director
Fairfield Economic Development Association
joshua.laraby@growfairfield.com
641-472-3436
