Salem R-80 Alumni Association

This is so awesome! Congratulations and thanks to all that helped by voting!

WE WON!! Thank You Salem and Dent County for Voting!
Construction Trades Program Wins $15,000 in Strong Communities Award

Salem, MO, October 12, 2021 – The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) is proud to announce that the Salem R80 Construction Trades Program has been voted the winner of the Strong Communities Award in the Rural category and will be awarded $15,000.

The Construction Trades Program provides relevant technical training; opportunities for students to develop; and creates a post-secondary pipeline for education and employment. The training program provides students with the creative and technical skills to gain valuable, real-life experience through classroom and on the job training. Much of the training requires extensive hands-on education garnered through paid apprenticeships. Upon graduation, students are fully prepared to work for small and large contracting firms that can eventually lead to roles in project management or administration, as well as gaining certification as a general contractor. In addition, the program is reviving our community through the rehab of homes and building of relationships. The project is supported by The Bank of Salem, an FHLB Des Moines member.

The next step for the Salem R80 Construction Trades Program is to construct a building for the program. Over half of the funds, $500,000 are already secured through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awarded to the City of Salem, and there are 50% Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) Tax Credits available through Salem R80 Schools to anyone who donates toward the building’s construction. Any person, business or entity who pays Missouri Income Taxes can benefit from the Tax Credits, although you may donate to the program regardless. For additional information about the YOP Tax Credits you may contact Dr. Lynne Reed, Superintendent of Salem R80 Schools at 573-729-6642 or [email protected].

"We are extremely excited to be named the winner of the Strong Communities Award,” said Dr. Lynne Reed, Superintendent of Salem R80 Schools, "Thanks to all of the support shown to this program through the power of the vote! This award will go toward preparing our students with the technical skills needed to be valuable members of the workforce right here in Salem, MO. We are very humbled and grateful for the support from our community. It made all the difference.”

This annual award honors the projects, people and programs that promote local small business growth and retention. Winners were determined through a public voting process which ran from October 4 through October 8, 2021. Among the four finalists, there were over 8,000 votes cast.

To learn more about the projects and see the full list of finalists, visit www.fhlbdm.com/award.

Photo L-R: AJ Tinker, Instructor for Salem R80's Construction Trades Program; Sally Burbridge, Economic Development Director for Salem and Dent County; and Dustin Howard, Vice President Bank of Salem

Here is the link!

The Salem R-80 Construction Trades Program was named a finalist for the $15,000 Strong Communities Award - Winners will be determined through a five-day public voting period (deadline 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8.)
VOTE here:
www.fhlbdm.com/award

How cool is this?!