(Atlantic, Iowa) – An official with Vision Atlantic reports local business, Camblin Mechanical, Inc., has pledged a generous donation of $250,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which officials say will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic. Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President says “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.”

Bateman notes 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. Randy Watts, owner & President of Camblin Mechanical, said “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”

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.

Photo courtesy Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

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