Community Development Projects
Projects Completed in 2021
| Water Tower | Oversaw repairs and re-painting of the city's water tower |
| Library Roof | Oversaw installation of a new roof over the city library. |
| Clean-up day | Provided support and workers for the first annual Raymond L. Johnson Clean-up Day, organized by the MAD (McDonald Area Development) Committee. |
| Fly the Flag day | Provided support for MAD Committee as it engaged more than 70 residents and business owners in its first annual 'Fly the USA Flag' program. This program provides flags and installs them on participants property to fly during select holidays such as Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. |
| 501(c) 3 Charter | MCD received IRS Approval to become a nonprofit, 501(c)3 corporation. |
| Endowment Fund | Used a generous, anonymous $10,000.00 donation to establish a permanent endowment fund, held by the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation. |
Projects Completed in 2022
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Installed New Landscaping at School MCD assisted Cheylin School District in the design, fundraising, and management of a project to plant grass, trees, landscaping shrubs, and install a new sprinkler system for the yard south of the Cheylin Gymnasium in McDonald. The project was professionally installed by Gery Skolout, and it received full funding ($26,000). Many thanks go to the project’s 2022 benefactors: ACE Foundation-Hansen Grant, Bird City Century II Development Foundation, and Cheylin USD 103. |
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Painted Main Street Buildings McD obtained permission from nonresident building owners to paint building fronts on Rawlins Avenue. Two buildings south of the post office were completed this year, and more buildings are targeted in 2023. McD provided the volunteer labor and solicited donations as needed to purchase paint and supplies. Our hope is to improve the appearance of main street buildings, one building at a time, and inspire other building owners to make façade improvements. Many thanks go to our 2022 benefactor: Peoples State Bank (now Outdoor Bank). |
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Raised funds for Geothermal Greenhouse Thus far in 2022, MCD has raised $26,500, or enough money to secure the purchase of a 17’ x 102’ geothermal greenhouse kit from greenhouseinthesnow.com. (Finished version will look similar to picture.) Once fully operational, the greenhouse will provide a reliable supply of garden-fresh fruits and vegetables for area residents to purchase year around. Locally grown also means eliminating lengthy transportation times and costs, allowing fruits and vegetables to be picked when ripe and making healthy foods affordable. The protected environment of the geothermal greenhouse will be heated and cooled through a system of buried pipes. Water will come from a new rainwater capture system, supplemented by city water. Both sources will be filtered before use. Many thanks go to the project’s 2022 benefactors: ACE Foundation – Hansen Grant and Rawlins County Future Fund Grant. |
Projects planned for 2023 (and beyond)
| Greenhouse | Finish fundraising for Geothermal Greenhouse project, assemble the Greenhouse and lease it to a local grower. |
| Building Painting, Cont. | Paint two additional buildings on Rawlins Avenue (city's main street) |
| McDonald Central Park | Complete the concept and design for the McDonald Central Park project, which will include a playground and lighted walking trail. |
| Housing Analysis | Conduct a statistical analysis of housing in McDonald, review nearby city building codes and ordinances, and offer potential solutions to the McDonald City Council to improve the quality of housing. |
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Have more ideas? Contact us and tell us all about them! |