Elma, IA

The Elma roller skate committee is working to obtain funding for the replacement of the community’s roller skates. This program is run by volunteers and operates throughout the winter and serves as a low-cost recreational opportunity for the Elma area. Nearly 100 youth throughout the area participate in this program.

The project was identified as a community recreation need.

The committee has applied to the Elma Area Community Foundation and the Howard County Community Foundation for funding. The committee also plans on a spring fund-raiser.

The current plan is to replace approximately one-half of the roller skates this year. The committee may try to replace the balance of the skates next year.

The second and final phase of the current Elma Park Improvement Project is underway with the demolition of the restroom facilities and the planned restroom/serving kitchen/shelter house. The City accepted a bid from a Cresco firm for the actual construction. City employees have already installed new water and sewer lines to the site.

The bid was approximately $14,000 more than the available funding. However, the Park Board agreed to cover $7,000 of this cost. The remaining funds need to be raised by the volunteer committee. The committee has applied to the Elma Area Community Foundation and the Howard County Community Foundation for funding. The BRIDGE Organization, Inc. (Elma’s community betterment group) has also committed $3,000 for this phase.

Original funding included a federal grant of $46,200 for both phases, the City of Elma’s funding of $25,000, and other local cash funding of approximately $20,000.

The project is expected to be completed before July 15, just in time for Elma’s annual summer celebration.

When phase 2 is completed, the Elma community and its collaborators will have made nearly $150,000 of improvements and investments in the park since 2005. The park will now serve the needs of entire community, with handicapped-accessible restrooms and playground equipment.

During Study Circles a concern regarding the decline in the quality of sidewalks was discussed. Those of limited financial means cannot afford to replace the existing sidewalks.

The Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative was successful in obtaining
a SRTS grant for regional planning. The Howard County meeting with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and NRC&D will present a program on the next steps needed to proceed. If funded, selected priority routes would have sidewalks completed with 100% funding from the federal government.

If successful, this collaborative effort will help make Elma a safer place to live.

The Communications Action Group - School Committee’s Parent/Teacher Partnership is nearing completion of its first year and planning for its second year. Among the most important planned new projects is a quarterly newsletter.

PTP held Moms & Muffins, Dads & Doughnuts, Fire Safety Program, Back to School Picnic and is working on a Bike Safety Program this spring.

The lack of a community newspaper makes communication between the school, parents and general community difficult. The newsletter is a
solution to this problem.

Elma’s clinic committee continues its work in 2009.

The Clinic committee is working with a neighboring hospital to provide medical services for the Elma area. A group of six doctors from southcentral U.S. is planning a visit to our potential partner and also plans on coming to Elma. Included in the visit is a proposed meeting with the leaders of the Mennonite Community of the Elma area.

The six doctors will be selecting the community they will serve in June, 2009 and plan on relocating in 2010. Our collaboration has passed the first hurdle and is one of the finalists for this fantastic opportunity. Although little information has been given to the Elma committee, it is our understanding the doctors are young and have a passion to work in underserved areas.

The committee is continuing to work with the collaborator to provide services during the interim period.

Technical Advisors from Seattle visited Elma on September 9 as part of the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative. The visitors toured the Elma Locker, Elma Early Childhood Center, Elma City Park, and the Elma Farmer’s Market. During the ninety minute tour, the advisors saw the school and grandstand murals, talked with local officials about the Elma Charter School, and discussed potential projects for Elma. The group also saw the recreational trail in Elma and the proposed welcome center.

The proposed recreational trail from Elma through Riceville and McIntire to Taopi, MN received a major boost with the State of Iowa’s Vision Iowa Community Attractions & Tourism grant of $1,300,000. Upon completion of the trail, Elma will be connected to the Shooting Star Trail in south central Minnesota.

The trail was one of the priorities of Elma’s Visioning process of the Horizons Program. The trail will provide a safe opportunity for all to participate in outdoor activities. The Vision Iowa board chairman commented this has to potential to change this area with economic development.

Funding will be available in four equal amounts during the next four years. Elma’s trail committee collaborated with the Riceville
trail committee, Howard & Mitchell County Conservation, and Howard & Mitchell County elected officials.

Elma’s PTP is holding a “Back to School” picnic on Friday, August 15, at 5:30 P.M. The PTP project was identified as a need during the Elma Study Circle portion of the Horizons Program.

Funding for this event includes CPPC and the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness/Kellogg Foundation initiative. Details of this event will be forthcoming.

The Elma Early Childhood Center board will host a grand opening of the new facilities on Tuesday, August 26 from 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.

Services have been provided since early June using Elma Elementary School rooms. The addition is now complete and will hereafter house the daycare program.

This project was the top priority for the Elma Horizons Program. Elma was fortunate to receive a USDA-RD grant for $50,000 and the Howard-Winneshiek School District paid approximately $140,000 to complete the structure. The furnishings and operating funds needed to begin the program were funded by the McElroy Trust ($15,000), Peoples Savings Bank of Elma ($10,000), the BRIDGE Organization ($7,000), Northwest Area Foundation - Horizons Program ($3,500), Howard County Community Foundation ($3,000), and Elma Area Community Foundation ($1,000) provided the majority of the initial funding. Other donations and fundraisers raised the remaining money needed.

Elma now has a quality, certified day care provider to serve the community.

Elma organizations are collaborating to purchase bike helmets for all Elma Elementary School students.

With Elma’s vision of a safe, caring and united community with opportunities and respect for all, the bike helmet project will provide a quality helmet (safe, caring) for each student. The helmets will be the same color (unity).

Partnerships for this project include CPPC, Elma Area Community Foundation, Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness/Kellogg Foundation, Parent/Teacher Partnership,
Regional Health Services of Howard County, the BRIDGE Organization, and the Elma Elementary School.

The project is scheduled for October, 2008.