(Atlantic) Iowa Senator Joni Ernst visited the Atlantic Bottling Company on Friday morning as part of her river-to-river tour. She met with the company’s leaders during her visit, including Atlantic Bottling Company President and CEO Rob Feeney.
Feeney says Atlantic Bottling Company produces around 7.5 million cases of soft drinks out of its 1940-built facility. The company discussed with the Senator its growth over the past 8.5 decades and its plans for future growth.
Recently, Vision Atlantic identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing, and quality of life amenities. With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, over $18.3 million has been raised over 50% of a $30 million goal in the past six months. The first piece of the project is access to childcare.
Feeney says these are critical pieces to their business. He said that the workforce is a risk in the long term, and the public and private sectors need to work together to solve this.
The Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center (CDC) is currently at capacity with a waiting list of 60+ children. In addition, home childcare providers are retiring, further adding to the shortage of childcare spots. Vision Atlantic is alleviating this burden by constructing a $11.5 million new childcare facility that serves up to 300 children. The center will sit near 18th and Olive Street, adjacent to the new Camblin Hills Housing Development.
