Bus Spot

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

KIDS USA LEARNING CENTER, INC.
Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County

Kids USA Learning Center, Inc. is a childcare center in Chippewa Falls owned by Garret and Nicole Bresina. The business provides childcare for children ages 4 weeks - 12 years of age. They provide preschool programs for children ages 3-5 including the Building Bridges 4 Children (BB4C) program which is run in conjunction with the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District. They also offer before and after school care along with summer camp programs.

THORCRAFT CUSTOM KITCHENS, LLC
Thorp, Clark County

In December of 2009, Kids USA purchased land from the City of Chippewa Falls in the Lake Wissota Business Park to construct a larger facility. The construction was completed and the new building was opened in July of 2010. The 17,000 square foot facility includes offices, a kitchen, classrooms, and a large gym. The expansion has helped the company increase their enrollment and provide additional services to its families.

The RBF, Inc. awarded Kids USA Learning Center a $120,000 Revolving Loan Fund loan. The funds were used for costs associated with the building construction and to purchase office equipment, furniture, and toys. The project has helped leverage $810,000 in private funds and Kids USA expects to add 8-10 new employees in the next year.

Ken Zimmerman opened a small cabinet shop in Thorp in 1998 after learning the trade from another cabinet maker in the area. Thorcraft Custom Kitchens grew rapidly and soon ran out of production space. An 11,000 square foot addition, built in 2005, doubled the company's manufacturing space and created more room for an increasing number of designers, sales people, and other office workers.

In June of 2010, Thorcraft Custom Kitchens received a $150,000 Revolving Loan Fund loan for another expansion project. The company built a 7,000 square foot addition to house a new showroom, offices, and private meeting rooms. The old office and showroom space were turned into a conference room, additional manufacturing space, and a lunchroom. The expansion has assisted in leveraging $335,000 in private funds and will create six jobs in the next two years.

JIM AND KIM GOUNAIKIS
Menomonie, Dunn County

Jim and Kim Gounaikis own the Main Street Plaza in Menomonie. Jim and Kim received a $7,565 Facade Loan from the RBF, Inc. in August to replace the awning on the building. Businesses located in the Main Street Plaza are Ted's Pizza Palace, Main Street Health & Fitness, and Fleet Feet.

CABREECO COMPANIES, LLC
River Falls, St. Croix County

Cabreeco Companies, LLC of River Falls is owned by Kent Forsland. The company produces a product line of outdoor patio structures which are similar to retractable sports domes. The structures easily attach to existing buildings or can be freestanding. They feature retractable roofs and/or walls that can be opened manually or automatically. The strcutures are completely customizable to compliment the existing home or commercial building.

The RBF, Inc. awarded a $25,000 Micro Loan to Cabreeco Companies, LLC in July of 2010 for working capital. The loan has helped leverage $1.5 million in private funds and will assist in the creation of 15 jobs within the next two years.

JOHN RAWLINGS
Milltown, Polk County

John Rawlings received a $30,000 Facade Loan from the RBF, Inc. in August of 2010. The funds were used to make exterior improvements to the former Northwest Land Title building at 96 W. Main Street in Milltown. Improvements to the property included new windows, doors, siding and trim. Stonework was also added along the bottom of the building and both decks were replaced.