Charles E. Lakin Foundation Launching Revitalization Initiative For Southwest Iowa
On Tuesday, The Charles E. Lakin Foundation announced the launching of a $165 Million Initiative to Revitalize Southwest Iowa at a press conference in Atlantic.
“The Charles E. Lakin Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative 2024, an ambitious new project to reverse the economic decline plaguing Southwest Iowa’s small towns,” a foundation press release stated.
The foundation noted that since 1900, Southwest Iowa’s population has declined by 17% while the population of East Central Nebraska has grown by 380%.
At Tuesday’s press conference, the Charles E. Lakin Foundation shared details of a partnership with the Community Foundation for Western Iowa and an unprecedented donation of $165 million designed to benefit 51 towns across the region.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham took part in Tuesday’s announcement along with representatives from four Southwest Iowa communities who are currently working through “Revitalize Initiatives” - Atlantic, Malvern, Stanton and Treynor.
The stated mission of the Charles E. Lakin Foundation, Inc. is to fund programs and organizations in Southwest Iowa and Greater Omaha that help people in need overcome adversity, restore dignity and ultimately transform their lives.
“We empower adults, children, and families to become productive and contributing citizens by providing funding within three core focus areas: Children and Families; Education and Training; and Economic Resilience,” the mission statement reads.