(Atlantic) Tom and Dianna Williams have made a generous $1,000 donation to support Vision Atlantic’s transformative community development project, which includes a new housing development, child development center, and YMCA expansion. Having called Atlantic home for more than 45 years, the Williams family has seen firsthand how collaboration and community spirit can shape a thriving hometown. Their commitment reflects both a love for this community and a shared belief in investing in its future growth and vitality.
“Atlantic has been home to our family for over 45 years,” shared Tom and Dianna Williams. “Our children were born and raised here, and now two of them are raising their own families in this same community. Dianna’s work in elementary education for over 36 years has fueled her passion for providing the best possible care for children and families. We’re proud to be a small part of this incredible group of visionary leaders working to expand and strengthen Atlantic. Communities can only grow and prosper when we all come together to make positive changes for the future.”
Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality 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 currently underway. Construction of the child development center and YMCA expansion is slated to begin early 2026.
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 $27 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, who will use those dollars to operate the child development center.
Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $12 million needed to meet their fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please 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 of the project scope.
Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.
