(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Charles E. Lakin Foundation -in partnership with the Community Foundation for Western Iowa – gathered with local and State officials Tuesday morning at a venue near Atlantic, to announce a $165-million dollar Initiative to Revitalize Southwest Iowa communities. Event guests included Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Director Debi Durham, as well as representatives from the communities of Atlantic, Treynor, Malvern and Stanton, who are currently working through their Revitalize Initiatives.

Charles E. Lakin Foundation President Steve Wild explained the ambitious new project aims to reverse the economic decline plaguing southwest Iowa’s small towns.

Seven of the eight comparable counties” on the other side of the Missouri River, in Nebraska, by comparison, he said, “have experienced consistent growth.” The rural population in southwest Iowa, Wild said, has decreased by a staggering 20-percent, while the population in east central Nebraska has grown by 16-percent.

The Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative’s substantial investment, he said will establish 23 funds to diversely benefit 51 cities in southwest Iowa.

Steve Wild said “We know our journey will be challenging, but the stakes are too high to falter.” He said it’s their commitment for today and the future. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds thanked the Lakin Foundation for the transformative investment they are making. Communities like Atlantic, she said, are investing in more housing, daycare and other means to draw workers and their families.

Communities like Atlantic, Malvern, Treynor and Stanton share similar goals to invigorate growth.

Reynolds says “This isn’t about imposing cookie cutter ideas from above, but about giving the needed boost to projects that are conceived and executed at the local level.”

Steve Wild said the funds are divided up for distribution to 23 “Anchor cities,” such as those mentioned, and 28 “member cities” who will work together to establish further grants and investments.

He said participating communities must demonstrate need, a local economic commitment, a collaborative and sharing of amenities with other communities. There must also be active participation from local donors, community engagement and participation, and a sustainable development plan, and finally, preparedness to launch their projects. In 2025, Clarinda, Essex, Minden, Oakland and Walnut will hold discussions with the Lakin Foundation on Revitalize Initiatives.

Here’s the breakdown of the investment fund distribution:

$33 million for Cass County and its anchor cities Anita, Atlantic, Griswold and member cities Cumberland, Lewis, Massena

$13.6 million for Fremont County and its anchor cities Sidney, Tabor and member cities Farragut, Riverton, Thurman, Imogene, Randolph

$23.8 million for Mills County and its anchor cities Emerson, Glenwood, Malvern and member cities Henderson, Pacific Junction, Silver City, Hastings

$26 million for Montgomery County and its anchor cities Red Oak, Stanton, Villisca and member cities Coburg, Elliot, Grant

$39.3 million for Page County and its anchor cities Clarina, Essex, Shenandoah and member cities Braddyville, College Springs, Hepburn, Shambaugh, Yorktown, Blanchard, Coin, Northboro

$29.275 million Pottawattamie County and its anchor cities of Avoca, Carson, Minden, Neola, Oakland, Treynor, Underwood, Walnut and member cities Macedona, Hancock, McClelland)

For more information, to: https://docs.craft.do/editor/d/3555920f-b4e6-98aa-66ec-d81a2817fe68/D5AC266B-6320-40B4-AD6F-FE960BF2DBB3?s=bTbT5ANn1zSDTgEF2BjSK3sDDWu1z9vrUcX6b6KZZ86H