Armour, SD

Our fund-raising efforts for the cabins are off to a great start with a $4,000 grant from the Armour Community Foundation and a $5,000 grant from Golden West Communications. We also have donation containers set up at businesses around town and we can see that the spare change is starting to add up!

In other news, the Horizons Cabin Committee traveled to the prison at Springfield Wednesday, April 9, to learn more about the cabins they are building for the state park. It was a great trip!

We were able to see the cabin-building operation and had a super visit with prison officials, who were very willing to share information about the cabins. They gave us a lot of great ideas for the Armour cabins, including some suggestions for building a little larger cabin (14′ x 24′) that has a loft for sleeping. The work done by the inmates is top-notch — they build everything from scratch, including the interior furnishings such as bunk beds and cabinets.

We met with the Armour Lions again and they are on board with the project. We are still uncertain whether we will build the cabins ourselves or have them built by another organization such as the prison. If we end up completing the construction on our own, we are hopeful that the prison officials we’ve been working with will assist us with blueprints and a list of building materials.

The movie “21″ did make it to town today, so we will be showing the movie as usual on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. We also have a matinee on Sunday at 3 p.m.

8. Sustaining action and creating structural change around leadership:

Q. How can your community sustain the changes it has already made in its leadership?

A. I think the key to maintaining the leadership that grew out of the Horizons’ project is to keep inviting new people to participate. One thing we learned through Horizons is that there are a lot of people who are willing to help if they are asked. Another thing is to continue to engage people in projects that they have a passion for. We have to remember that while cleaning up at the lake or Parents & Teachers Together might be favorite projects for some people, other people will have no interest those projects. It’s okay for each of us to serve as leaders for projects and organizations that will keep us energized. We also need to remember that there are a variety of leadership positions–some public and some behind the scenes. Again, it is important to allow each person to work in his or her comfort zone.

Q. What structural changes have been made so that your community leadership sustains partnerships with others?

A. Many of the Horizons’ projects have developed natural partnerships. For example, the Parents & Teachers Together group which originated with Horizons is now working hand-in-hand with the school district. The Cabin Committee is now partnering with the Armour Lions Club and The Armour Community Foundation to complete the cabin project in the Lions’ Park. These are just a couple examples of how partnerships are being used to make good projects even stronger.  

12. Sustaining action and creating structural change around community:

Q. How will your community make decisions about seeking further resources to support its plans?

A.  One funding vehicle that was rejuvenated under the Horizons’ project is the Armour Community Foundation. Although the endowment is not yet large enough to fund large community projects, it has already provided some funding for the Women In Action, J20, Senior Citizens, Horizons Cabin Committee/Armour Lions, Child Identification Program (CHIPS)/Masons and Lorain Theater. Hopefully people will begin to see the value of investing in the foundation as a way to support local non-profit projects. Even if a person can’t afford to make a large donation, small resources pooled together can have a great impact.  It is also a great way to leave your legacy in the Armour community.

Q. Is a system in place to maintain contact with, or to continue to work with other communities?  With your Delivery Organization? In other partnerships?

 A. The blog has been a great way to learn about what is happening in other communities. I think that it will be much harder to maintain communication between communities after the grant has ended. The local groups seem to have gotten “rooted,” and I think they will simply continue to communicate through a variety of formats such as the newspaper, newsletters, Web sites, etc. These things are already being used, for example, by groups like the PTT.

Armour, SD Community Calendar  - This is just a sample

(for changes please call Donna Brenner at 724-2818 or email at donnabrenner@hotmail.com)

May

5/14/08         -          Armour Last Day of School - Noon dismissal

5/14/08         -          Armour School Board Meeting @ 7:30 pm

5/15/08         -          Money 4 Life Meeting @ 6:15 Meal, 7 - 9 pm Meeting  Postponed

At the meeting it was decided to clean up around the Lake on May 6th at 5:00 pm. The Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts will be helping from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm with food and beverages served to them at 6:00 pm. The Community is also asked to help with the Clean-Up Project. Please bring your pick-ups, chain saws, weed eaters and man/women power : ) There will be food and beverages served following the clean-up. Thank you to everyone who help last year! We had such a great turn out we would love to see you there again this year!! If you have any questions please contact Dana Krull at 724-2459

Armour School has just hired two new teachers that are looking for housing in our town. If anyone has information that may be helpful please contact Brad Preheim or Burnell Glanzer at the school. They are looking to rent and are both single individuals. Any information would be helpful to welcome them to our community. Thank you.

We want to help you make your dreams come true………………………

The USDA Rural Development and the Armour Horizons Housing Committee are here to help.

Funding is Available…..Lots are Available…..Houses are Available…..all we need is YOU!

 Eligibility Requirements

•  Must meet income eligibility guidelines
•  Meet repayment rations
•  Must be a U.S. citizen or legally admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence
•  Must have an acceptable credit history for past 36 months
•  After purchase or construction, the applicant must be the owner/occupant of the dwelling
  

 Highlights of Program      

•  33 Year Fixed Rate Mortgages with subsidy lowering payment
•  100% Financing – No Down Payment Required
•  Loan costs may be included in the loan if requirements are met
•  No Mortgage Insurance or Premium Payments
•  Loan limit is $132,000

Who Qualifies for the Governor’s House?

• For households with two or less individuals, combined income cannot exceed $33,900
• For households with three or more individuals, combined income cannot exceed $39,550
• For families and individuals under the age of 62, net worth must be less than $90,000 and less than $70,000 in liquid assets. 
• For families and individuals age 62 and older, net worth must be less than $175,000 and less than $100,000 in liquid assets.
• Eligible buyers also include housing authorities, non-profit organizations, economic development corporations and local chambers of commerce planning to sell to qualified purchasers

There Are Several Lots Available in Armour

There Are Several Existing Homes for Sale

http://www.farmers-national.com/realestate/search/xq/asp/StateName.South+Dakota/pagesize.10/Name.Residential/Property_Name./qx/search2.htm

http://www.realtor.com/search/searchresults.aspx?ctid=29466&typ=7

There Are Several Funding Options

• First Time Homebuyer Program
• South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA)
• Rural Development Guaranteed Loan
• Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

 Why buy a Governor’s House?

• The price of the home is $33,000.  This includes the price of the house, transportation to your lot and placement on the foundation or basement.  Additional placement charges may apply, depending upon the lot location.
• You should also consider a few things before you purchase such as the price of the lot.  There are several other items to consider also, the cost of putting in the foundation or basement; state, city and excise taxes; water and utility hook-ups; floor coverings and appliances.  Other considerations may include a survey, sidewalks, driveway, curb and gutter.
• You can finance your house like any other house you might purchase.
• The SDHDA will provide plans for a basement or footing and foundation plans for a crawl space.
• Plans are available showing where the stairway cutout is to be located
• The Governor’s House is a 24’ x 42’, two bedroom, 1 bathroom home.

 What If I Don’t Want To Buy a New House

-         There is funding available to help with the purchase of an existing home

-         There is funding available to help remodel your existing home

 Please contact:

Gary Wedel                                                                              Larry Ymker
Rural Development Specialist                                                    Horizon’s Housing Committee
(605) 996-1564, Ext 4                                                             (605) 724-2401

Darold Werkmeister                                                                 Larry Wilson
Horizon’s Housing Committee                                                   Horizon’s Housing Committee
(605) 724-2818                                                                       (605) 724-2796

Dana Krull
Horizon’s Housing Committee
(605) 724-2459

Examples of Governor’s Houses

7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 15
Armour Fire Hall

Please attend to participate in a planning session for Lake Alcazar for 2008. Plan to share your ideas, suggestions and comments.

Just a reminder — there is a Horizons meeting tonight (April 9) — 6 p.m. at the Fire Hall. All Horizons Committees are expected to provide a progress update.