Snyder and Associates Donates $50,000 to Vision Atlantic

Snyder & Associates has donated $50,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic.

“It can’t be overstated how transformative of a project this will be for Atlantic. It is an exciting initiative for Snyder & Associates to be a part of and we appreciate Vision Atlantic’s commitment to progress. This will be an incredible accomplishment that will have immeasurable benefits for our community,” Dave Sturm, Atlantic Business Unit Leader at Snyder & Associates stated.

Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Construction of the 144 mixed unit housing development, 300 capacity child development center and expansion of the current YMCA facility is slated to begin late spring of 2025.

With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $18.4 million has been raised in the past 11 months, over 60% of a $30 million goal. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $11.8 million needed to meet the fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates or visit www.visionatlantic.org.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

Pictured left to right: Mike Jorgensen, Jeff Godwin, Melissa Ihnen, Garrett Reynolds, Christina Bateman, Dave Sturm, Chris Petersen, Mason Goergen, Austin Sonntag, Erik Jorgensen, Shawn Mass and Deanne Knudsen.

Lloyd and Meredith Donates $150,000 to Vision Atlantic

Lloyd and Meredith has donated $150,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic.

“Being on the YMCA board the past 10 years has given me a firsthand look at the greatest needs of our community. Top notch fitness facilities, expanded childcare, and a large assortment of housing will help make Atlantic continue to be southwest Iowa’s destination of choice. Lloyd and Meredith has been serving the Atlantic area for 142 years. My parents, Keith & Cindy, and I are happy to help contribute and ensure Atlantic can thrive for another 142,” Kyle Steffens, owner of Lloyd and Meredith stated.

Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Construction of the 144 mixed unit housing development, 300 capacity child development center and expansion of the current YMCA facility is slated to begin late spring of 2025.

With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $18.6 million has been raised in the past 11 months, over 61% of a $30 million goal. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $11.8 million needed to meet the fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates or visit www.visionatlantic.org.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

Pictured Left to Right: Nick Hunt, Kyle Steffens, Christina Bateman, Debbie Waterbury and Melissa Ihnen.

SHIFT ATL Donates $50,000 to Vision Atlantic’s Transformative Project

SHIFT ATL, a 501(c)(3) community development non-profit in Atlantic, has donated $50,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to the Atlantic community.

“We are blessed that we are in a financial position to be able to support other economic and community development projects in Atlantic, while still maintaining the integrity and foundation of SHIFT ATL. Vision Atlantic’s mission and vision align with ours, but on a much larger scale, and we couldn’t be happier to donate toward the project(s) and watch the momentum continue to build,” SHIFT ATL Board of Directors stated.

Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities with a YMCA expansion. Construction of all three projects is slated to begin late spring of 2025.

With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $18.4 million has been raised in the past 11 months, over 60% of a $30 million goal. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $11.8 million needed to meet the fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates or visit www.visionatlantic.org.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

Pictured Left to Right: Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic; Mackenzie Bandow, SHIFT ATL; Jessie Shiels, SHIFT ATL; Emily Kennedy, SHIFT ATL and Melissa Ihnen, Vision Atlantic.

 

Community 1st Credit Union Awards $10,000 Grant to Vision Atlantic

Community 1st Credit Union (C1st), who has a location in Atlantic, recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Vision Atlantic through their foundation to support the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of Atlantic. C1st grant funded project awards are made possible through the C1st Credit Union Impact Giving Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

“One of the most important goals we have at Community 1st Credit Union is to help people enjoy a secure future. The C1st Foundation, developed in 2016, supports causes close to our hearts – financial literacy, mental wellness/suicide prevention, and community betterment. We couldn’t be more thrilled to support this project and continue to make our community better – Together IS Better!”, expressed Greg Hanshaw, President and CEO at Community 1st Credit Union.

The new child development center is being built to meet the increased need for childcare in Cass and surrounding counties. According to Dianna Williams, Director of the Ann Wickman Child Development Center, they are out of space at the current facility.

“Over the past four years, our center has been at full capacity, and we consistently have a waitlist of over sixty children. The lack of available childcare in the region negatively impacts families and employers,” Williams stated.

According to a study conducted in 2023, it was discovered that Cass County has a childcare availability shortfall of over 1,000 children. The new center will be constructed on south Olive Street in Atlantic and will have capacity for 300 children. The Jack and Jill Preschool, currently housed at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, will be co-located with the new child development center. Rates for the new center have not been determined yet, and reservations for childcare spots have not been opened. More information relating to the operation of the center will be made available as the project progresses.

“We are excited about this award to support the Laking Foundation Child Development Center of Atlantic. We know that the new center will provide quality care for children, which is a critical component of economic development of the region, and an important consideration for families when they choose where they want to live,” Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President stated.

If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

Pictured Left to Right: (CEO) Greg Hanshaw, Lindsey Gould, David Suarez, Christina Bateman, Melissa Ihnen, Tim Marcsisak, Chelsie Madden and David Bossou.