One entity in Greene County is pushing forward on a project after running up against a deadline for fundraising.

Paton-Churdan Early Learning Center (PCELC) President Cassie Fiedler says they are moving forward with building a new facility. The Board announced this past January that if they didn’t secure the rest of the $400,000 funding gap for the $2 million building project by April 1st, then they would have to close the doors on their current operation for the foreseeable future. 

However, Fielder points out that even though they are still short of their funding goal, the Board felt confident enough to push the modular building project forward and they are collecting pledges from individuals and businesses that have made those commitments so far. She states that when they made their potential closing announcement in January, there was a strong response with support, that the Board considered the long-term needs of the families and children that they serve. 

Fielder notes that the bidding process will not happen until later this summer once the funding from the $600,000 matching Community Development Block Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority releases the funds. 

She is appreciative to everyone who has donated or pledged to their project so far and encourages more people to do so. Fiedler says they have bank accounts at Home State Bank and United Bank of Iowa, along with mailing checks to PO Box 125, Churdan, Iowa 50050. Additionally, she notes that there are accounts set up with Landus Cooperative and NEW Cooperative, where farmers can donate their grain and use it as a tax-deduction as well.