GIVING BACK TO BP

In what is believed to be the single, largest gift in Blooming Prairie’s history, Craig and Robyn Kruckeberg are donating commercial buildings, land and money for a new daycare center to serve the region.
The former corporate office building of Minimizer, a company founded by Craig’s father, Dick, more than 35 years ago, and a nearby storage building, along with the surrounding land, are appraised at $850,000. With a monetary donation tied in, the gift pushes the $1 million mark.
Along with the donation, a new non-profit organization, Leo Augusta Children’s Academy, has been formed partly in honor of Craig’s parents using their middle names: Lorraine Augusta and Dick Leo. Lorraine died last year.
Jen Brovold of Mankato, executive director of the academy, said it will provide a much-needed children’s development and care facility within the heart of the underserved southeastern Minnesota rural area.
The property, located on the north end of Blooming Prairie next to the junction of Highways 218 and 30, will be transformed into a daycare center beginning in September.
Minimizer recently moved to Owatonna. Though the office building in Blooming Prairie is currently vacant, Minimizer’s lease doesn’t expire until the end of August. The storage building on the property houses collector tractors and other items belonging to the Kruckebergs. Those items will be auctioned off later this summer.
The center, which the academy will operate, will include more than 18,000 square feet of building and land renovations occupying more than 3 acres.  
“We recognized a need,” said Craig Kruckeberg. “Our community has bolstered our family throughout our journey, and now we have an opportunity to give back in a consequential manner with this gift.”
Kruckeberg said his family experienced gaps in childcare over the years. He recognizes the value that these additional resources will bring to the surrounding communities, supporting continued workforce growth and participation.
“This will be a feather in Blooming Prairie’s cap,” said Kruckeberg, stressing his family is not doing it for a pat on the back. “It needs to be done. It will help encourage families to move to town.”
The academy’s objective is to deliver a hands-on model of child development with the capacity to serve more than 100 children ages infant through 12 years of age. Under a structured curriculum, coupled with flexibility, the academy’s philosophy of learning and care will focus on emotional, intellectual, physical and social development in a nurturing and secure environment.
The center is expected to bring up to 25 jobs to the community.
“I’m proud to lead this unique initiative that will provide a world-class learning and development facility for families needing childcare in rural Minnesota,” said Brovold.
Kruckeberg, who sold Minimizer a few years ago, still operates Kruckeberg Industries, a holding company for several other businesses in Blooming Prairie. Among them are Stinar, Bandit Big Rig Series, KIK Marketing and Kruckeberg Services, a garbage hauler servicing the region.
Of making the donation, Kruckeberg said: “We’re fortunate to be able to do it. Minimizer moving out opened up the opportunity to give them (the academy) a building.”
He said he envisioned creating a community building in Blooming Prairie for several years. Kruckeberg said he tried to get a new building, but it never gained any traction and he ended up abandoning those plans and focusing on repurposing the existing structures.