Elma, IA

Elma’s Old Roundhouse Segment, a part of the Wapsi-Great Western Trail, is one of Elma’s priorities to provide new opportunities for our residents.

The collaborative effort between Mitchell County, Mitchell County Conservation, Howard County, Howard County Conservation, and the Cities of McIntire, Riceville and Elma is the first local effort to work for a common cause. Elma has traditionally been self-reliant and not active in partnerships across county lines.

This collaboration has resulted in a $2,300,000 federal grant and has applied to the State of Iowa for a Community Attractions and Tourism grant of over $2,000,000. The total project cost is over $6,000,000.

This phase of the trail will connect Elma to the Minnesota trail near Taopi. This phase, nearly 30 miles, will join the Minnesota trail of 30 miles. Plans include extension of the trail south of Elma to Waterloo/Cedar Falls and onto Cedar Rapids.

This project will provide a free and safe opportunity for recreation. This is especially important to Elma’s low-income families.

A completed trail will expand job opportunities (food, bike repair, transportation, lodging, camping) to local unemployed people and summer jobs for youth. This will reduce poverty.

The unprecedented financial commitment of the federal, state and local governments will boost Elma’s economy and provide opportunities for further collaboration with our neighboring cities and counties to the south.

Elma’s CPPC committee has been discussing the implementation of a “Tools for School” project for the Elma Elementary. During the Study Circle phase of Horizons a teacher commented that some of the students did not have the recommended school supplies until the school year was nearly over.

The lack of disposable household income during these times of economic hardship requires the community to offer a helping hand. The students cannot be expected to “compete” with others if the “tools” needed for success are not available.

The committee may decide at its July 2 meeting if funds are available from its current year budget. If all goes well, this will be implemented in late July and early August.

CPPC and the Elma Horizons Project have completed the community assistance brochure. This was one of the items discussed during the Study Circle phase of Horizons. However, it was not chosen as an action item.

The brochure will empower Elma’s residents with contact information, including elected officials and city contacts.

Funding for this project was from the initial Horizons grant from Northwest Area Foundation and the Elma Area Community Foundation - Horizons mini-grant.

Elma and Waukon are involved with the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative. This initiative, funded by the Kellogg Foundation, is in the planning stages of a program to increase the use of locally-grown foods and increase the physical fitness of our people.

Meetings on March 25 and 26 to build awareness of target communities, such as those with low-income, included discussions of the Horizons Program in Elma and Waukon. The inclusion of addressing the needs of target populations early in the planning process may provide better opportunities for the targets to succeed.

Working groups/committees have been formed to investigate details and report back to the regional team. The Inclusive Team will advocate for the target populations throughout the process. Elma and Waukon are represented on this Team.

The Elma Park is under transformation, which began earlier this year with the the following projects:
1) A Park Improvement Project received funding for the purchase and installation of new playground equipment with handicap-accessible structures and the construction of a new handicap-accessible restroom and food stand building. Funding came from several sources including a Land & Water Conservation Federal grant, grants from both the Howard County Community Foundation and the Elma Area Community Foundation, funds left to the park from the Richard Fox Family Trust, financial committments from the City of Elma and BRIDGE Organization, as well as funds from participation in the Leadership a Plenty program and proceeds from park concession stand sales.
2) Park expansion to the northwest through the purchase of the Robert Mulick property.

Both projects are anticipated to be finished summer of 2008 making this valuable community asset more attractive to Elma residents. These projects aim to better serve the needs of Elma youth, elderly and physically challenged individuals as well as improve the site as an attraction to visitors from other communities.

An immediate result of Elma’s Study Circle Action Forum is the Head Start program at Elma Elementary

After completion of the action forum, a committee met to investigate the prospects of greater early childhood education and childcare services for the Elma community. After contacts were made with Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation, the prospect of Head Start for Elma was suggested.

The availability of a Head Start teacher and funding, and Elma’s ability to act in a timely manner, resulted in Elma’s fast-tracked application for services. On September 1, 2007, the program began in Elma to serve 3 year old children from eligible households. There are five students utilizing the new program for Elma.

The committee continues to work to address the unmet needs of Elma’s families. A summer program is being proposed to continue providing services. By September 1, 2008, it is hoped that the addition to the Elma Elementary School will be completed and the new home for the Head Start program in Elma.

Elma Early Childhood Center

During the Study Circle Action Forum as part of the Elma Horizons Program, the top priority was the establishment of an early childhood center in Elma. Elma has no certified childcare providers and few other daycare services available.

Remodeling of space within the Elma Elementary School is underway. Funding for the addition has been secured with a USDA-RD grant of $50,000 and a commitment of funds from the Howard-Winneshiek Community School District for the remaining construction costs. The Elma community must obtain between $20,000 and $30,000 for operating costs in order to proceed. Over $11,000 as of January 1, 2008 has been raised.

Application for 501c3 status from the IRS and incorporation papers with the State of Iowa has been submitted. A board of directors has been formed and this board is progressing with the operational details of this project. The goal is to have services available by June 1 within the existing school and a move-in date to the new childhood education center by September 1.

The Study Circle Action Forum believed that, by providing dependable and quality childcare, those parents in poverty will be given the opportunity to work. Economic development requires an available workforce and quality services