November 17, 2025
(Shenandoah) — Vision Shenandoah officials are hoping to receive more information this week on the prospects for funding from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation.
Five representatives of Vision Shenandoah were among those attending a Lakin Foundation Board of Directors’ meeting late last week. Shenandoah is one of 51 communities in the region selected to share $165 million as part of the foundation’s Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative. Speaking on KMA’s “Morning Line” program Monday morning. Vision Shenandoah Executive Director Dr. Margaret Brady says the community’s 18-minute presentation covered Shenandoah’s history, the progress of the organization’s various “dream teams,” and some proposed housing projects–including duplexes planned for the former Sac ‘N Save lot, and efforts to renovate dilapidated units in the community.
“So, I just mentioned that we have two main focuses for housing,” said Brady. “One was to find houses below $200,000. These are houses for our primary workers in our community. The two avenues for that are to rehab houses, and to figure out how to build a house that’s less than $200,000–which is going to be a little bit of a puzzle, but I think we can figure it out.”
Brady says the presentation also covered a proposed therapeutic and mental health daycare and education program serving students from age 3 to 12th grade. Vision Shenandoah, the Shenandoah School District and other partners plan housing the program at Shenandoah United Methodist Church’s Wesley Building. Among other things, Brady says building renovations are necessary in order for the program to become reality.
“It’s a 1960s building,” said Brady. “It’s in nice shape. But, with these older buildings, I know with some of the older houses, it takes a little bit to get up to speed. So, we want to make sure that everything is in alignment. Lakin funds would be used to remodel the building, to get it into a state to where it’s really ready for that program. The school district would have to make sure it’s a program that fits into their per view. Then, we would have to have some outside sources–like Midwest Mental Health is potentially a big partner.”
Plans for the proposed Shenandoah Fieldhouse project announced last week were also covered. Brady says the meeting’s general propose was for the Lakin Foundation board to approve Vision Shenandoah as the nonprofit organization administering the $16.35 million awarded to the community through the initiative.
“Once we are approved,” said Brady, “the way we understand it, we will be funded with the $16.35 million. It goes into a fund with our name on it. Remember, the only thing you can do with the principle money is something that you could repay to the principle. So, for instance, you could build a house, sell the house, pay back what you borrowed and sell 2% interest. That’s the only thing that could touch that principle.
“Now, after that funding has been there for a while, we will be receiving some grant monies, and those are the monies we would not have to repay. Depending on how much money we would have in our bank account, we would get some interest.”
Brady hopes the Lakin Foundation provides more information on possible funding later this week. Other communities making presentations at that same meeting included Red Oak, Avoca, Emerson, Griswold, Farragut and Imogene.
Provided by KMA: https://www.kmaland.com/news/lakin-foundation-hears-vision-shenandoah-pitch/article_6c110512-4c22-4e75-9515-a990b9668ab2.html
