By Sara Quam
The Rock County Developmental Achievement Center could finish an expansion this fall, as the county awarded it a no-interest loan Tuesday.
The Rock County Board of Commissioners agreed to help finance the expansion project with a loan of up to half the project expenses, but not to exceed $120,000. The debt will be repaid in eight years.
Commissioner Ron Boyenga, who is also a member of the DAC board, said he expects the county will loan closer to $80,000.
DAC Director Dorothy Cronin said with expansion comes improved services to the clients, and the county in general benefits. She would like to eventually expand what the DAC does with its in-house work programs to include larger assembly contracts.
"The more expediently we get this done, the more competitive we can be," Cronin said.
"I consider it economic development," Bob Jarchow, chairman of the board, said.
Commissioner Ken Hoime said, "It's a good mission for the county."
The expansion is something the DAC has needed for some time.
Code violations include: handicapped accessibility inside and out of the building, sanitary violations (including mop sinks and washer and dryer in main areas), inadequate conference room, no special medication room (medication is currently in a locked kitchen cabinet), no second legal exit and a bathroom that's too small.
The DAC had previously intended to ask for a one-time grant of $15,000, but Cronin reasoned that the county will get its money back with the loan and the DAC can get a faster start on the project, while saving money it would have paid in interest.
New meeting times
The board switched its October meeting days to Oct. 10 and Oct. 24. They will begin at the regular meeting time of 9 a.m.