SWIPCO Communications Coordinator Chris Parks released the following press release, and photos of SWIPCOs 50th Anniversary and Annual Meeting (Photos posted below the story)
(Atlantic) Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) hosted members, staff, and supporters for their 50th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 25th at the C.G. Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. The gathering included dinner, annual report presentation, partnership awards, and the Inaugural Ron Kohn Servant Leadership Award presentation.
SWIPCO celebrated 50 years of impact on Southwest Iowa, moving from an initial budget of $45,000 and 2 employees in 1975 to a budget of $8 million dollars and 108 employees in fiscal year 2025. Some highlights include $300 million in total grants to the region, over 262 plans written for communities and counties, $90 million in grant funds for water and wastewater projects, 1,706 homes rehabilitated, over 384 homeowners assisted with down-payment funds, and 9,235,700 rides provided by Southwest Iowa Transit Agency. The return on investment for SWIPCO member communities has been over $150 for every dollar invested in the agency….