(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Vision Atlantic report Cook Sanitation in Atlantic has donated $1,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project that includes housing development, a new child development center, and YMCA expansion, in Atlantic. Cook Sanitation owner Dalton Cook, says he wants “…to see the community grow and keep younger generations here for years to come.” Cook says “This project addresses these issues, giving current and new residents reasons to want to stay in Atlantic.”

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 set to begin early this summer. Construction of the child development center and YMCA expansion is slated to begin late this year.

From left-to right: Debbie Waterbury, Christina Bateman, Don Cook, and Dalton Cook. (Photo courtesy Vision Atlantic Communications Chair, Bailey Smith)

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 established a separate investment fund of $23 million, which Vision Atlantic will borrow from to construct all 142 homes in Camblin Hills. As the loan is repaid, up to 5% of the fund balance will be donated back to Vision Atlantic to establish a long-term community endowment fund to help support local needs, like affordable childcare.

Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $15.7 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.