(Shenandoah) — Dr. Margaret Brady is no stranger to challenges.
A 1980 Shenandoah High School graduate, Brady practiced veterinary medicine in the community for many years before opening Healthy Tails Retreat. Brady’s company, MALOJA, Incorporated, renovated several dilapidated projects, most notably the former Johnson Brothers Mill Building–reopened as the Mill last year. Her latest challenge began Wednesday, as she officially took office as executive director of Vision Shenandoah. Speaking on KMA’s “Morning Line” program Wednesday morning, Brady says Shenandoah received $16.35 million from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation as seed money for the organization’s efforts.
“As a town, we dream about doing neat projects and stuff,” said Brady. “The question is always, ‘well, where will we get the money.’ Here’s the money to do great things in Shenandoah. And, it’s going to start now. They (the Lakin Foundation) want us to figure out some really positive projects that the community wants to do, and tell them about them. Then, they’re going to have seed money to get it off the ground.”
Backing Brady is a Vision Shenandoah Board of Directors, comprised of Shenandoah Medical Center CEO Matt Sells, Kurt Hensdorf, Kris Sherman, Shenandoah School Superintendent Dr. Kerri Nelson, Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen, City Administrator A.J. Lyman, SCIA Executive Vice President Gregg Connell, Councilman Jon Eric Brantner and Julie O’Hara. Brady says plans also call for the formation of “dream teams” to develop plans addressing some of the community’s needs.
“They’ll be housing, daycare, recreation,” said Brady, “but also tourism and events, business development, and then grants, donations and funding, because what we’d like to do is use that Lakin money to go out and fund some other things. Say, we’ve got this great project. Well, it’s probably going to take more than just the Lakin money. So, how are we going to fund that with local resources, and other grants and funding that’s available, or donations from the members of the community that are really passionate about that project.”
Also planned are community engagement sessions, allowing community members and stakeholders to help with the formation of the organization’s initiatives. Brady says community input is crucial to Vision Shenandoah.
“We want to dream with us on what Shenandoah could be in the next year, five years and 10 years,” said Brady. “This isn’t something that’s a pie-in-the-sky, and never going to happen. We’ve got the money to do it. We want you to tell us what projects you think would really help Shenandoah shine.”
Vision Shenandoah’s offices are located at the Mill in downtown Shenandoah
