We are excited to share that we have purchased our Lincoln County facility, marking a significant milestone in our 65-year history. The facility, which we initially leased in 2011, is located at 245 College Campus Drive in Moscow Mills and is a vital hub for our mission. Currently, we employ 40 adults with disabilities there, providing contract packaging and light manufacturing services to both local and national clients.
Our decision to acquire the 23,000-square-foot building underscores our dedication to serving Lincoln County. Additionally, we’re thrilled to announce plans for a 10,000-square-foot expansion later this year, which will further our ability to expand our regional programs and services. The purchase reflects our commitment to creating a world where disabilities are no longer barriers to achieving potential and purpose through work.
We secured zero-interest financing for the acquisition through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. This program fully funds projects in rural areas that create and retain jobs, and loans are applied for through local utility organizations. Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC) served as our pass-through utility, and Doug Tracy, CREC’s President and CEO, who also serves on BCI’s board of directors, played a pivotal role in bringing this funding opportunity to fruition.
We are incredibly grateful to Doug and CREC for their assistance in securing this favorable financing. Their support, alongside many others involved in the process, made it possible for us to take this pivotal step forward.
In St. Charles County, our main campus in St. Peters will continue to serve as our headquarters. With 102,000 square feet of production, office, and training space spread over three buildings (two of which we own), the location employs 188 adults with disabilities. Our St. Peters campus also houses our administrative offices and competitive employment and Skills Center programs, facilitating competitive, integrated, community employment for over 100 more people each year.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10.6% of Lincoln County’s roughly 65,000 residents live with a disability and are under the age of 65. With this expansion, BCI will extend services to hundreds more individuals in the region, ensuring support for decades to come.