Ag Ventures Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant to Vision Atlantic

Ag Ventures Foundation (AgVA), a 501(c)(3) organization based in Mason City, IA, recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Vision Atlantic to support the outdoor classrooms in the new Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of Atlantic. The AgVA Foundation provides grants to other 501(c)(3) organizations to support agricultural education and nutrition programs for adults and youth.

Bob Cole, President of the AgVA Foundation said, “We are pleased to provide these funds to the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of Atlantic because they will be used to support outdoor classrooms that will allow our youngest youth to learn how to plant and nurture seeds, harvest and prepare produce, and will provide opportunities for children to enjoy eating what they have produced. These learning opportunities can hopefully lead to continued learning throughout their lives of food production and healthy eating.”

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 aged zero – five. The Jack and Jill Preschool, currently housed at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, will be co-located with the new childcare center.

“We are excited about this award to support the Lakin 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.

Along with a new child development center, Vision Atlantic’s project includes a 144-unit housing development and an expansion to the current YMCA facility. Over the past 11 months, $18.3 million has been raised, 60% of a $30 million goal. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $12.1 million needed. 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: Melissa Ihnen, Vision Atlantic Board Secretary; Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic Board President; Debbie Waterbury, Vision Atlantic Board Treasurer and Jill Euken, AgVA Foundation Board Member.

Camblin Mechanical, Inc. Pledges $250,000 to Vision Atlantic’s Transformative Project

Camblin Mechanical, Inc. has pledged a generous donation of $250,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic.

“Camblin Mechanical has been serving our community for decades. Bob Camblin worked tirelessly to create positive economic changes for Atlantic throughout his lifetime. Randy Watts and Andy Elings have continued on and grown Camblin Mechanical’s forward-thinking vision and mission to better Atlantic and the surrounding areas. Vision Atlantic appreciates their generous support of our once in a lifetime project. Camblin Mechanical’s gift will positively impact our community for generations to come!”, Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President stated.

Camblin Mechanical has been instrumental in getting Vision Atlantic’s project off the ground, volunteering a substantial amount of time and expertise to make this once-in-a-lifetime project a reality.

“For years, Bob Camblin, Andy Elings and I have been working on the housing, jobs and childcare crisis in Atlantic. The creation of Vision Atlantic was the result of all of Bob’s hard work. Camblin Mechanical is proud to get behind this comprehensive project that addresses all three issues. We encourage all to join us in this exciting adventure!”, Randy Watts, Owner & President of Camblin Mechanical, Inc. 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. Bid letting for land infrastructure will begin this fall, with construction of all three projects slated to begin late spring of 2025.

With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $17.4 million has been raised in the past 10 months, over 57% of a $30 million goal. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $13 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: Debbie Waterbury, Vision Atlantic Treasurer; Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President; Randy Watts, Camblin Mechanical, Inc. Owner/President; Andy Elings, Camblin Mechanical, Inc. Owner/Vice-President.

First Whitney Bank & Trust Donates $2.5 Million to Vision Atlantic’s Transformative Project

First Whitney Bank & Trust has led donation efforts for Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, donating a substantial $2.5 million towards efforts to bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic.

“We are so grateful to First Whitney Bank & Trust’s incredible support of this project from the beginning. They stepped up before we even knew if this project could happen, and their remarkable donation got this project out of the “idea” stage and into reality. We’re blessed to have them in our community and look forward to seeing their gift being felt for generations to come,” Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President stated.

First Whitney Bank & Trust has been a supporter of the project since the beginning and were the first individuals to pledge monetary support to the project.

“This project changes the conversation on the future of Atlantic from surviving to thriving. Whitney Bank has been a leader in community development, and we see first-hand the needs of our community. We jumped at the chance to be a big part of this life-changing project. It is my hope that we can make Atlantic the jewel of Western Iowa for generations to come,” Paul Gude, President and CEO of First Whitney Bank 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. Bid letting for land infrastructure will begin late this summer, with construction of all three projects slated to begin late spring of 2025.

With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $16.4 million has been raised in the past six months, over 50% of a $30 million goal. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $14 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.

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 President; Jason Nicholas, Whitney Bank Chairman & Board Director, Melissa Ihnen, Vision Atlantic Secretary; Paul Gude, Whitney Bank President/CEO & Board Director; Frank Greiner, Whitney Bank Board Director, Jeff Gude Assistant Vice President/Trust Officer & Board Director and Jayme Farver, Whitney Bank CFO & Board Director

Vision Atlantic Offers Project Details for Transformative $75.5 Million Development Project

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 substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $16.3 million has been raised in the past six months, over 50% of a $30 million goal.

“Atlantic has always been blessed with generous, giving residents that prioritize reinvestment in the community. This helps sustain Atlantic as a great place to live, and we are grateful to see that altruistic support in this transformational project we have developed. Never has Atlantic seen such an influx of financial support coming in from outside our community like we have with the Lakin Foundation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Atlantic and we’re proud to bring this project to our community,” Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President, stated.

The first piece of the project is access to childcare. The Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center (CDC) is currently at capacity with a waiting list of 60+ children. On top of that, home childcare providers are retiring, further adding to the shortage of childcare spots. Vision Atlantic is alleviating this burden by constructing an $11.5 million new childcare facility that will serve up to 300 children. The center will sit near 18th and Olive Street, adjacent to the new Camblin Hills Housing Development.

The center will provide a continuity of quality care from infants to five-year-olds, with the age range of children in rooms being further broken down to allow for even better, quality care. Dedicated rooms will have STEAM activities, dramatic play, and other educational activities. Due to a larger building, a dedicated room will be added for ill children to receive care and be kept separate until they can be picked up by a caregiver. An enhanced playground will be added to the property to allow a space for children of all abilities to play. Jack & Jill Preschool, currently housed at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, will be moved to the facility.

“The Wickman Center has provided love and care for 14 years now to over 860 children from Atlantic and nine other surrounding communities. It’s easy to focus on immediate needs, but in order for our community to grow and prosper, we need to be progressive and work towards our future needs. We need to help those families that struggle to find childcare in our community, and we will provide opportunities for family’s needs well into the future. Our Vision and Purpose have always been to provide the best quality childcare that we can for families, and I’m so proud of our community for working together to make these dreams and incredible opportunities come true,” Dianna Williams, Director of the Ann W. Wickman CDC, stated.

The second piece of the project is housing. Atlantic currently has the highest percent of the oldest housing stock amongst sister cities in Iowa. Because of this, buyers cannot access new, move-in ready homes. Vision Atlantic will develop ‘Camblin Hills Housing Development’ to address this need. Named after the late Bob Camblin, co-founder of Vision Atlantic, this development will sit on the open 49-acres along Olive Street, between 17th & 22nd Street, that was purchased from the City of Atlantic. It will be 144 mixed units including town homes, duplexes, single-family homes, and lots for purchase. A park and biking/walking trail will be nestled in, offering a safe, family-friendly environment for any buyer. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation is providing a substantial $23 million in housing capital, and the development will provide a $48 million total financial impact on the Atlantic area.

“10 years ago, there were 73 houses on the market in Atlantic. Today, only 16 houses are on the market without offers. We have people in our community, and those looking to move here, who are ready to purchase larger homes and people ready to build their dream home, but they can’t find what they’re looking for. This development will offer a little of everything, while also allowing buyers to “move up”, opening their existing homes for first time buyers, or for those who are ready to downsize,” mentioned Bateman.

The final piece is quality of life amenities. Atlantic’s current, state-of-the-art YMCA, will undergo a $16 million renovation with an addition added to the front of the facility. An outdoor community recreation and event space will allow for fitness and outdoor events in all weather conditions. An indoor soft-play area will give families a safe, dynamic space for group play. 24-hour access to the expanded fitness floor will be available with the use of key fobs for entry after hours. A children’s museum area will bring a big-city feature into the community and be a source of education and fun. A STEAM room and E-Sports room will be added to give youth of all ages a place to gather. Additionally, a dedicated senior social and activity space will promote fitness as individuals age and help fight social isolation amongst seniors. Current plans also include adding a 70-seat movie theater space to the facility.

“Extensive surveying has been done the past several years to help us determine what enhancements the YMCA could add to address health, wellness and social connection. Everything listed above is things our membership, community and region have asked for. We’ve been blessed to serve the region for over 30 years. We’re excited to add these amenities to continue serving a broad range of ages and abilities, making our facility a community hub for generations to come,” Dan Haynes, Executive Director of the Nishna Valley Family YMCA stated.

Bid letting for land infrastructure will begin late this summer, with construction of all three projects slated to begin late spring of 2025. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $14 million needed to meet the $30 million 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.

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.

Vision Atlantic Spearheads Transformative Economic Development Project in Atlantic, Iowa

Vision Atlantic, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is at the forefront of driving economic development within Atlantic. With a strategic focus on housing, childcare and quality-of-life enhancements, the organization operates under the guidance of a seven-member board. The late Bob Camblin serves as co-founder and honorary board member.

Christina Bateman, Board President of Vision Atlantic, stated, “Our mission is to empower growth, enhance lives and create a thriving community together. We’re poised to transform Atlantic for generations to come.”

After thorough research with community partners over recent years, Vision Atlantic has identified three critical areas that are pivotal for stabilizing and enhancing Atlantic’s population: expanding housing, childcare facilities, and amenities. Collaborative efforts with community stakeholders, generous donors, and foundational support channel an estimated $75.5 million into these vital projects. This includes $48 million directed towards new housing, $11.5 million for a state-of-the-art childcare center and $16 million for the expansion of the current YMCA facility.

Contributions towards a $30 million fundraising goal have been robust, with over $7.6 million pledged by local donors. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation has committed a remarkable $8.6 million, significantly supporting the childcare center and YMCA expansion. Anadditional transformative pledge of $23 million from the Foundation will serve as the catalyst, igniting the rapid development of new housing in the community.

Steve Wild, President of the Charles E. Lakin Foundation, remarked, “Atlantic isn’t just waiting for a brighter future, they’re building it. Our investment and Vision Atlantic’s bold leadership are the catalysts propelling this community into an era of prosperity.”

Bateman expressed deep gratitude, “We are extremely grateful to the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and all our local businesses and residents who have already committed financial support to help make this once-in- a-lifetime project a reality.”

Under the leadership of President Christina Bateman, Vice-President Nick Hunt, Secretary Melissa Ihnen, Treasurer Debbie Waterbury and directors Keith Harlan, Jessie Shiels and Liz Hunt-Reid, Vision Atlantic has established a project committee. This team of community leaders has worked diligently over the past year to bring this project to fruition.

The committee chairs include: Christina Bateman, Dan Haynes, Nick Hunt, Paul Gude, Duane Acker, Bailey Smith, Bob Sharp, Keith Harlan, Liz Hunt-Reid, Billie Hoover, Debbie Waterbury, Ted Robinson, Brad Henningsen, Jill Euken, Ardith Gillepsie, Dianna Williams, Jackie Sampson and Nick Zimmer.

The committee is currently looking for volunteers to join this transformative project. If you are interested in contributing to the growth and development of Atlantic, please contact Christina Bateman at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Your involvement can make a significant difference.

Vision Atlantic remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing a vibrant future for Atlantic, fostering a community where economic growth and quality of life go hand in hand.