(Stanton) The Stanton Area Industrial Foundation received a 1000 Friends of Iowa Best Development Award (Mixed Use) on January 21st at the Iowa State Capitol Building.
Steve Bruning, with the Stanton Area Industrial Foundation, said the award was for their Mason building renovation.
“Obviously we were honored to receive the award; it’s very humbling just in the sense that it took a lot of key players to make it happen. We have great support from the community of Stanton in general and so when you’re able to get an award like this it’s nice, but it’s hats off to the whole community,” stated Bruning.
Bruning said the Stanton Area Industrial Foundation took on this project about two years ago when they purchased a building in downtown Stanton that the Masons had formerly owned. He said they came up with the idea to refurbish the downstairs for a couple of businesses, one which was already there, and then putting one or more apartments in the second level. Bruning said during this process they applied for the catalyst grant through 1000 Friends and ultimately received a $100,000 catalyst grant.
“With the combination of the $100,000 catalyst grant we also were able to secure a low interest loan from Southwest Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative, a no interest loan from Farmers Mutual Telephone Company and the rest of the financing from Great Western Bank. We also had a little help from the City of Stanton with a small grant and some in-kind. The combination of all of those and the catalyst grant allowed us to do this project,” explained Bruning.
Bruning said they were fortunate to have a contractor get on board immediately and so the project began as soon as the funding was approved and they were able to complete the project in a timely manner.
According to 1000 Friends of Iowa, the Mason Building was the first completed Community Catalyst Building Remediation project in Iowa. This project was the catalyst spark needed to begin revitalization of the Stanton Downtown as two more buildings have been renovated since this project was completed.
(Photo: (L-R) Tom Shipley, Senator; Steve Bruning, Stanton Area Industrial Foundation; Tim Johnson, Stanton Area Industrial Foundation; Shawnna Silvius, Montgomery County Development Corporation; Cecil Dolechek, Representative; Carrie Koelker, State Senator and Stanton High School Alumni, and Mickey Anderson, Stanton Area Industrial Foundation.)
