An official with Midwest Partnership says they are currently accepting nominations for the Guy Powell Award- recognizing excellence in leadership and passion for economic development in the Midwest Partnership Development region. Sarah Gomez, Economic Development Coordinator for Midwest Partnership, says businesses and individuals who are members in Midwest Partnership Development Corporation (which serves Adair, Audubon, Greene and Guthrie Counties) are encouraged to nominate individuals who stand out as outstanding leaders in this area of west central Iowa, and who work to make it a more economically vital place to live, work, and play.

The Guy Powell Award was created in honor and memory of Powell, who was the past president of the Midwest Partnership Development Corporation, and an active volunteer on the board of many other area organizations. Gomez says Powell was passionate about local and regional economic development.  He was also a strong believer in the region’s potential.

The Nomination:  

Those submitting nominations should consider: 

• Vision
• Leadership
• Courage
• Impact 

Information to include in the nomination is as follows: 

• Name & Address of the Nominee (Person, group or business being nominated.)
• Name, Address & Phone Number of the Nominator (Person completing the nomination.)
• A brief statement (500 words or less) on how the nominee has made an impact on their local community and/or region through volunteer service.  

Monica Cateron, Office Manager
Midwest Partnership Development Corporation
P.O. Box 537
Stuart, IA 50250
mcateron@midwestpartnership.com

Dennis Bloom, Chair of the Montgomery County Community Foundation (MCCF) says 12 nonprofit agencies were recently awarded grants totaling $17,800. Among them was:

• The Red Oak Public Library, which received $1,300 to provide a virtual learning center (computer & software).
• The Stanton Senior Center, $400, for the purchase of a new air conditioner.
• The City of Stanton Public Library, $1,000 for the purchase & implementation of a new automation system.
• Elliott Volunteer Fire Dept., $500 to replace old pagers.
• Montgomery County Family YMCA, $3,000 to upgrade the health/wellness fitness center.
• The Montgomery County History Center, $1,450, to purchase equipment & materials to help research area history & archive it.
• Red Oak Community School District, $3,000, to renovate “Cage” recreation site for use by the general public.
• Stanton Child Resource Center, $1,400, for school preschool & toddler programs, supplies & equipment.
• Stanton Greenbelt, $1,000, to add more handicap-accessible trails for public use.
• The Wilson Performing Arts Center, $2,000 for equipment.
• Villisca Community School District, $2,000, to purchase cameras for use with school interactive whiteboards.
• Villisca Public Library, $750, to provide e-book services & a space for use by young people.

The grant checks were presented to representatives from those nonprofit agencies, last Thursday. The total amount of $17,800 includes $1,000 from the Villisca High School Class of 1977 Endowment Fund, and, $800 from the Stanton Endowment Fund. Over the past 11 years, the Montgomery County Endowment Fund has distributed more than $656,000 to nonprofit agencies in the County.