SBIF Client Feature Story: New Knowledge Learning Center, Inc.

Grantee Profile

New Knowledge Learning Center, Inc. provides childcare and educational services for kids ranging from 6 weeks to 12 years old. In addition to year-round childcare, they offer summer camp and a language immersion program (both English and Spanish). The Center has been in business on Chicago’s Southwest Side for 15 years.

SBIF Grant Impact (79th/Southwest Highway)

Owner/operator Keitheia Adkins is proud to serve families in the Ashburn community. At New Knowledge Learning Center, the focus goes beyond being a standard daycare. Adkins and her team incorporate active education experiences to set their young charges on the right path toward a lifetime of learning. After years of caring for children in the neighborhood, Adkins applied for the SBIF grant to make critical upgrades to her facility.

“The grant enabled our preschool to replace the building’s roof, which is an expensive process for most small business owners,” said Adkins. “ In addition, we used grant funds to update the entire storefront with new commercial glass windows and doors. Our parents and neighbors are extremely pleased to see such a transformation. SBIF was such a blessing to our business and to the community.”

The scope of work for this project consisted of two phases – including the complete tear-off and replacement of the existing roof, followed by the installation of a storefront system with new windows and doors.

New Knowledge Learning Center, Inc. is Open for Business!

Learn more about the New Knowledge Learning Center by visiting their Facebook page or calling (773) 436-8150.

Learn More About the Small Business Improvement Fund

Launched in 1999, Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund promotes economic development by providing reimbursable grants for permanent building improvement. Landlords, owner/operators, and tenants (with landlord approval) are eligible to apply. Residential projects are not eligible.

SomerCor is the program administrator contracted by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Learn more about the program and apply by visiting www.somercor.com/sbif.