Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Announces Seven Strong Communities Award Finalists
last updated on Thursday, September 6, 2018 in Community News
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) announced seven finalists vying for $15,000 awards to use to further promote economic development opportunities in their communities.
The winners of FHLB Des Moines Strong Communities Award, which honors the projects, people, and programs that promote local small business growth and retention, will be determined through a public vote.
“We’re excited to announce the top applicants for this year’s Strong Communities Award,” commented Mike Wilson, president and chief executive officer, FHLB Des Moines. “It is an honor to recognize the work our members are doing to support their communities. Each of these projects will help enhance the quality of lives of the residents in their communities, and now it’s up to the community to show their support by voting for the best projects.”
The seven finalists, representing locations from Iowa to Hawaii, will compete in rural and urban categories for the award. Public voting will start on September 10, 2018 and close on September 14, 2018, when a winner and runner-up will be chosen in each category. Winners will be awarded $15,000 each, and runner-ups will be awarded $3,000 each.
Since its inception five years ago, applications for the Strong Communities Award have continued to grow, with more than 40 member organizations applying for this year’s awards. A full list of finalists is below.
Rural Category Finalists
Alaska USA FCU, Credit Union 1, Northern Skies FCU, Tongass FCU, Aloha Pacific FCU, Hawaii USA FCU, Hawaiian Tel FCU, Kauai Government Employees FCU (Alaska)
- Worked together to create and support “Get REAL Financial Reality Fair” events as a fun, hands-on way for students and young adults to learn about managing personal finances throughout Alaska and Hawaii.
First National Bank of Rapid City (Rapid City, South Dakota)
- Partnered with Lakota Funds to support the “Eagle Nest Homeownership Conversion Project”, which is converting 30 low-income housing tax credit rental units into homeownership properties for tribal members on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Ascentra Credit Union (Muscatine, Iowa)
- Launched the Newcomers Initiative, an asset building initiative to help immigrants and refugees in paying for the growing cost of residency, naturalization, and other immigrant related fees.
Bank of Cairo and Moberly (Moberly, Missouri)
- Supported the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation and the GrowMidMo program, an entrepreneurship development program serving small businesses in rural Missouri.
Urban Category Finalists
Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Finance Factors (Honolulu, Hawaii)
- Supported the Kahauiki Village, a first-of-its-kind community in the United States, which provides long-term, permanent, affordable housing for homeless families with children on the island of Oahu.
Banner Bank (Everett, Washington)
- Supported HopeWorks Station II, a project designed to help low-income residents in Snohomish County with affordable housing and workforce development.
Hills Bank and Trust Company (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
- Supported the MICRO program, a microloan program to support local entrepreneurs.
For more information on the FHLB Des Moines Strong Communities Award visit www.fhlbdm.com/award.
- Strong Communities Award