STL Partnership Tours JJK FAN Center
Project made possible by $12 million new markets tax credit
St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) recently toured the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation (JJK Foundation) , and saw the progress made thus far on the JJK Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Innovation Center (JJK FAN). The JJK FAN project was made possible by a $12 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from Heartland Regional Investment Fund, LLC (HRIF), a subsidiary of STL Partnership. The HRIF provides financing to projects in distressed communities through the federal NMTC program as determined by managing members: the City of St. Charles, Southwest Illinois Development Authority and STL Partnership. U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance stepped in as the NMTC investor.
The JJK FAN Center has partnered with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Lansdowne UP and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to serve over 200 children in a 70+ acre facility. The facility expansions aim to be completed by fall of 2025. Children are taught about agriculture, STEAM, food innovation, entrepreneurialism, nutrition and physical activity through robust programming. The aim of the JJK FAN Center is to foster youth engagement, inspire future leaders and address systemic disparities in the East St. Louis area.
One way the JJK FAN Center is addressing systemic disparities is by taking on food insecurity, specifically the food desert that is East St. Louis. By growing and selling produce, children not only learn about agriculture and entrepreneurship, but also gain access to nutritious produce previously not available. An upcoming FAN project is a first-of-its kind passive solar greenhouse. At only $1 per day (electric cost) it will produce 30,000 lbs. of food a year. This will help combat food insecurity in the area and allow for further research.
The JJK FAN priorities are four-fold. The first is K-12 programming, with a focus on increasing student agricultural and scientific interest, as well as exposing children to technology and various career pathways. College and career-pathways are another priority, with a focus on stimulating entrepreneurship among marginalized and underrepresented populations. The third focus is food access and work force. The aim is to breakdown access barriers and create opportunities to promote local food products and producers. Finally, the fourth priority is community development. This is done through infrastructure and public facility expansion, and by weaving together athletic performance, nutritional education and Ag-tech.
The JJK Foundation’s programs and facility include an after-school program complete with transportation services, a summer camp, a K-3rd school, internships, youth athletics and agricultural programming. Through all the programs, over 3,000 children are helped.
Learn More about the JJK FAN Center here.