Illinois-based Shelby Electric Cooperative (SEC) and CoBank have donated US$30,000 in match-funcing to the development of a new early learning centre, created to address local childcare shortages.
The donation was presented to the Shelby County Child Care Consortium on 22 October, at the future site of the Shelby County Early Learning Center in Shelbyville.
SEC said the $30,000 donation brings the its contributions to “area fundraising efforts” across the nine counties it serves to more than $230,000 – including match funding from CoBank,, a co-operative bank specialising in rural infrastructure investment to the electric co-ops, agri co-ops and rural credit associations which own it.
The new childcare centre is currently being developed in a former bank building at 200 North Morgan Street in Shelbyville, where demolition and refurbishment work is under way. Once completed, it is expected to employ 20 people and provide childcare for up to 99 children aged between six weeks and five years.
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“A lack of dependable childcare doesn’t just impact individual households—it limits the economic potential of our entire community,” said Faith Wheeler, member services specialist at SEC. “No parent should have to sacrifice their career just because childcare is out of reach.”
Additional funding for the daycare centre has also been provided by local organisations including First Federal Savings and Loan, Software Solutions Integrated, HSHS Good Sheperd Hospital, Shelby County Community Services Enterprises, Shelby County State Bank, P&H Manufacturing, Rincker Law, and VFW Post 4829, alongside others.
Shannon Shallenberger, vice chair of Shelby County Child Care Consortium, said: “What makes our childcare centre unique is that several businesses have pledged annual contributions to help offset operational costs. This will help us attract and retain high-quality employees while keeping the tuition affordable for parents.”
