Angels Share, the nonprofit organization which is repurposing the former Dana College campus, has received $8.3 million in grants to renovate two buildings to house at-risk youth and low-income elderly in Blair.
“The project has been more than three years in the making,” Angels Share CEO Ed Shada said. “I was so excited. It's unbelievable. We've gone through four years of this and we've finally got the funds. It's absolutely amazing.”
The funds will be used to renovate the former Mickelsen and Blair halls into 60 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments “to house, lift up and advance people who are most vulnerable to becoming homeless.”
Angels Share was awarded a $7.39 million grant by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), which authorizes the sale of tax credits to raise funds for worthy project. The nonprofit also was awarded $960,000 in HOME funds from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Private donations and loans will finance the remainder of the project, which is expected to cost $11.6 million.
Work on the project is expected to begin this fall, with completion anticipated for spring 2022, Shada said.
Mike Rooks, executive director of Gateway Development, said the grants are a great step forward for Angels Share.
“It is another piece of the puzzle to get the campus viable again,” he said. “This is something so many people in Blair are passionate about and I am excited to see the momentum on this project picking up.”
Shada's mission to help at-risk youth has already begun. Six youth are currently living on campus in the former suite-style dormitory. Angels Share is linking housing with jobs, life skills, mentoring and vocational training to put these youth on a path to self-sufficiency.
“Blair provides a unique opportunity for these young people,” Shada said. “The campus offers space, yet a common community for them. The town has plentiful jobs, including auto dealers, trucking companies, a new Dollar General distribution center, telecommunications firms and multinational companies in biotech food production, all within minutes of the campus. We are building an environment that assists these youth in jobs of the future.
Shada praised Blair, its businesses and residents for supporting Angels Share.
“The city of Blair has been an exceptional partner in bringing all of this to fruition. They have gone well beyond my expectations,” Shada said. “We're looking forward to continuing that partnership with even more opportunities in the future.”
