The Iowa Economic Development Authority has awarded a competitive grant for the development of a large daycare center in Fairfield. This $600,000 grant will help construct a 14,000-square foot facility that will be able to serve up to 185 children at full capacity. The Jefferson County Kids’ Board of Directors; Early Childhood Iowa for Iowa, Jefferson, and Keokuk Counties; and the Fairfield Economic Development Association partnered with Area 15 Regional Planning Commission on the grant application. According to a 2018 child care market study, Jefferson County is facing a shortage of 500 child care spaces. The Jefferson County Kids Inc. child care center is looking to fill that void and is close to being completely funded. With this grant, they will have $2.3 of the $3.5 million needed and will continue to hold fundraisers in the future.