(Atlantic) Keith and Barb Olsen, owners of Olsen Fuel Supply, have donated $25,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project. The project will bring a housing development, a new child development center, and a YMCA expansion to Atlantic.
“I like to give back to the community; this is a multifaceted way. I’ve always appreciated Bob Camblin’s legacy—he was a dear friend and mentor to me since I was a little boy, and this felt like a great way to honor him,” Keith Olsen, owner of Olsen Fuel Supply, shared.
Through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, Vision Atlantic identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, housing, and quality of life amenities. Infrastructure for the 142 mixed-unit Camblin Hills housing development and 300-capacity child development center is almost complete, with construction of 48 homes set to begin early this summer. Construction of the child development center and YMCA expansion is slated to begin late this year.
Vision Atlantic has a fundraising goal of $39 million, which will be used to construct the YMCA expansion and child development center. To date, they have raised $23.2 million of that goal, thanks to an $8.6 million lead grant from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and significant support from local donors. In addition to their grant support, the Lakin Foundation has created a separate investment fund of $23 million that will be used to construct homes in the Camblin Hills housing development. The capital will be used as a line of credit, and as the dollars are paid back, the Foundation will donate up to 5% of the interest paid back to Vision Atlantic, which will use those dollars to operate the child development center.
Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $15.7 million needed to meet its fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, don’t hesitate to contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Visit www.visionatlantic.org and follow on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates and in-depth information about the project scope.
