City officials have announced that the Fort Atkinson City Council, through its Economic Development Commission, has awarded a capital catalyst revolving loan to Lil’ Hawks Kidz Academy Too, LLC.
The announcement was released Wednesday.
Lil’ Hawks Kidz Academy Too, LLC, is a daycare center, offering childcare for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 10 years.
The center was awarded a $100,000 loan through the capital catalyst program last month.
The daycare facility has been operating in Fort Atkinson at 600 Highland Ave. Monies from the loan will be used to update and remodel a building at 1255 Talcott Ave., which is about a block from the Highland Avenue location, the release stated.
Once in its new location, the daycare center will operate within a larger space, adding some 9,000 square feet of childcare space.
According to the release, the expansion will allow the company to provide an additional 95 childcare openings. The center will provide daycare services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, along with wrap-around and before and after school programs.
Within the release, Chris Hansen, owner of the daycare center, said the operation employs 36 administrators, teachers and assistants and provides care for 122 children. The expansion of the childcare facility will create 20 additional jobs when the center is at its full capacity.
Sharing some background, Hansen said she has 17 years of experience in the childcare business and owns and operates three childcare centers.
She entered the childcare business when her own children were young, she noted, and operated her first daycare from the sunroom of her home.
Today, her life partner, Trent Erdman, serves as the daycare’s site supervisor, providing, among other services, facility maintenance and support to daily operations, the release stated.
According to the release, the purpose of the capital catalyst revolving loan fund is to help stimulate the city’s economy.
On Jan. 28, 2022, the Fort Atkinson Economic Development Commission approved a partnership with the Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium (JCEDC) to manage the revolving loan fund, which includes $600,000 in available funds.
The goal of the program is to encourage the startup of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses, the release stated, noting a focus on assisting companies in industry sectors including, but not limited to, advanced manufacturing, agriculture or food processing, information systems or software, medical devices, and biosciences and energy.
Within the program structure, successful candidates looking to obtain funds are best suited when their proposals provide at least one of the following:
• Encourage new private investment in the city of Fort Atkinson.
• Support a diverse mix of employment opportunities and minimize seasonal or cyclical employment fluctuations.
• Encourage the development and use of modern technologies that increase productivity and efficiency.
• Support the elimination of blight and encourage urban redevelopment.
As stated within the release, loans of up to $100,000 are available through the program, made possible by a grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Program assistance comes through the Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium, which works with applicants as they undergo the application and underwriting process. Applicants are next reviewed by the Loan Review Committee, which makes recommendations to the Economic Development Commission for approval.
Those interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to review the application and loan guidelines on the city’s website at www.fortatkinsonwi.gov. Those interested in applying for the funds through the program may contact Deb Reinbold, executive director of Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium, by email: DReinbold@jeffersoncountywi.gov or phone: 920-674-8710.
Lil’ Hawks Kidz Academy Too, LLC, owner Chris Hansen, at left, and her life partner Trent Erdman display a check for $100,000 awarded to their company through the City of Fort Atkinson’s Capital Catalyst Revolving Loan program. Also in attendance during a ceremonial check presentation held Wednesday, but not pictured were center staff members Rachel Krueger, Ashley Hendricks , Mya Rathman Ari Mills, Donna Bliese and Caroline Nelson, who was accompanied by baby Jameson. Contributed photo.
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