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By Tanya M. Pierce, ISG Government + Cultural Business Unit Leader 

When strategic partnerships come together with a shared purpose, municipal projects create meaningful, lasting change. The Kids Rock! Childcare Center in Luverne, Minnesota, is a powerful example of how collaboration and vision turned a critical need for an essential community service into a thriving asset that strengthens quality of life and supports long-term, economic vitality.

When the City of Luverne and Rock County faced a shortage of licensed childcare, local leaders recognized the widespread impact on families, businesses, and community development. Nearly 570 children aged five and under reside in Rock County, with almost 370 having working parents. Yet the County’s licensed childcare capacity was only 240, leaving many children without childcare options.

For a family, this means making the difficult decision to relocate or change employment. For businesses, it limits candidates for recruitment. For the community, it affects social and economic stability, as well as future growth. 

Holly Sammons, City of Luverne Economic Development Director, engaged ISG early in the process to bring the vision to life. “We wanted to be part of the solution and have resources to help.” said Madeline Newman, ISG project manager. 

Sammons sparked conversations with community members and stakeholders to address this critical need. She secured a $2.6 million federal grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to support development of a new daycare solution that would renovate a City-owned building into a new childcare building that could accommodate more than 100 children. 

“What stood out most—beyond [ISG’s] technical expertise—was your unwavering positivity. Navigating federal regulations for our USDA grant, including compliance with the Build America Buy America Act, often felt overwhelming,” explained Sammons. “Yet, every meeting, phone call, site visit, and email was met with a confident ‘we’ve got this’ attitude. That spirit kept us inspired and reassured throughout the process.”

Furthering the strong partnership, ISG collaborated with Knutson Construction for project delivery. Improvements included modifying the parking lot for safe drop-off and pick-up, creating several outdoor play areas with new equipment and fencing, and enhancing safety, security, and technology improvements.

Exterior upgrades involved replacing the ballasted roof system, removing outdated aluminum-framed windows, and repointing masonry. Interior renovations included new walls, flooring, and ceilings to accommodate the childcare center layout, with additional spaces for staff, administration, and a kitchen. A new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and updated plumbing fixtures were installed throughout. Accessibility for employees and children remained a key priority throughout the design.

“Childcare is a necessity and every community deserves a high-quality space to send their kids that is safe, accessible, and conducive for healthy childhood growth,” said Newman. Today, Kids Rock! is the largest childcare center in Rock County, providing care for 186 kids from infant through age 12.

Thanks to strong partnerships between the City of Luverne, the design firm, and the construction contractor, Kids Rock! Childcare Center was delivered on time and under budget. 
During the ribbon cutting ceremony in May 2025, Sammons shared, “Thanks to [the project team’s] dedication, what stands before us today isn’t just a completed project—it’s a dream realized. A space built on collaboration, expertise, and trust, and one we can all be proud of."