Last week, the Boone County Development Agency (BCDA) presented a $1,500 check to Jacii Lopez, owner of A Kidz Life 2 Daycare, located in Petersburg. The funds are part of BCDA’s Energizing Entrepreneurs program, which is designed to support local entrepreneurs as they pursue opening a business in Boone County.
Lopez joins 12 other businesses currently enrolled in the program. The check presented last week represents the completion of the first of four steps required in order to receive a total of $5,000 in grant funding. The Energizing Entrepreneurs program walks hopeful business owners through critical components of creating and operating a business, including writing a business and marketing plan, creating a budget, and annual check-ins during the first three years of operation. To date, BCDA has awarded $42,000 in funding to encourage business development across Boone County. Communities impacted since the inception of the program include Albion, Cedar Rapids, Petersburg, and St. Edward.
A Kidz Life 2 Daycare brings childcare back to Petersburg after the last in-home provider closed in May 2024. The licensed In-Home Level 2 daycare is located in the west wing of the Village Campus and provides care for children 0-10 years old. Lopez opened mid-February and currently has limited spots available. Funds received as part of BCDA’s Energizing Entrepreneurs program can be used to support any area of her business. A Kidz Life 2 is Lopez’s second daycare location, with the original being located in Elgin.
Learn more at: https://boone-county.org/energizing-entrepreneurs-program/. BCDA offers programs for all phases of business. Learn more at https://boone-county.org/.
