MADISON, WI, August 20th, 2025 – Forward Community Investments (FCI) is proud to announce a $13 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to support the construction of a new 35,500-square-foot Boys & Girls Club of Janesville (BGCJ) facility on a remediated Brownfield site in Janesville, Wisconsin. This investment expands organizational capacity, addresses the shortage of affordable, high-quality childcare, strengthens workforce development, and increases food security for local families.
The state-of-the-art facility, which broke ground earlier this year, will triple the Club’s daily capacity—serving over 230 children and teens each day—and provide a safe, modern space for learning, recreation, and support. New features will include a dedicated playground, teen center with demonstration kitchen, commercial kitchen, outdoor recreation space, and classrooms for specialized programming.
Brentan Vivian (Board President of Boys & Girls Club of Janesville), Rebecca Veium (CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Janesville), Carrie Sanders – Founder & CEO, Hope Community Capital, Rob Beach, COO – Forward Community Investments ,Sierra Johnson – Senior Consultant/NMTC Practice Leader, Hope Community Capital, Michael Karibian (Treasurer Johnson Financial Group)
“The Boys & Girls Club of Janesville plays an essential role in supporting youth and families,” said Ryan Zerwer, President & CEO of FCI. “This new facility will ensure more children have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality care while also creating jobs and strengthening the community.”
Key community impacts of the new center include:
- Youth Programming: Expands daily service from 80 children to over 200, with enhanced spaces for both elementary and teen members.
- Affordable Childcare: Creates 180 childcare slots, with 75–80% filled by low-income families; no family pays more than $960 per year.
- Food Access: Provides 82,800 hot and healthy meals per year through a new commercial kitchen.
- Jobs: Creates 3 new permanent quality jobs and retains 10, in addition to over 35 construction jobs.
“This investment will significantly strengthen our capacity to deliver safe, enriching, and transformative programs for the youth who rely on us most,” said Rebecca Veium, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville. “We are deeply grateful to FCI who recognized the importance of our mission and helped bring this vision to life.”
In addition to receiving NMTC financing from FCI, BGCJ successfully leveraged more than $8 million in local fundraising, including major gifts from Prent Corporation/GOEX ($2 million), City of Janesville ($750,000), Wisconsin Non-State Grant ($1.75 million), and a $500,000 Congressionally Directed Award with support from Senator Baldwin. US Bank is serving as the tax credit investor on the project. Johnson Bank also provided financing for the construction of the facility.
“This new facility reflects the best of public-private partnership,” said Rob Beach, Chief Operating Officer of FCI. “The city, local businesses, donors, and federal resources all came together to ensure this project will serve Janesville’s youth and families for decades to come.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Janesville currently serves 282 youth annually, 76% of whom are low-income, with a waitlist of more than 100 children. This project will increase access to essential services significantly and allow the Club to meet growing community demand.
About Forward Community Investments
Forward Community Investments (FCI) is a statewide Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) committed to igniting the future of nonprofits, real estate entrepreneurs, and small business owners by providing financial support that allows them to thrive. Our work investing in the communities and neighborhoods that need it most promotes a future where all Wisconsin residents have access to the resources, partnerships, and capital needed to build a prosperous, self-sustaining future. For more information about FCI, visit www.forwardci.org.
Media contact:
Kirby L. Toon
Director of Capital Strategy
Forward Community Investments, Inc. Phone: (608) 204-8841 (office)
Email: kirbyt@forwardci.org
