In a recent interview, Nick Glew, President of Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), and Dustin Kern, Project Manager for MEDCO, shared the details and behind-the-scenes process and planning that has gone into making the Community Build a successful project. Glew and Kern lead the Community Advisory team. Together, they handle all the financial and supervising work that goes into creating projects like the Community Build. 

For Glew, being the President means monitoring the budget of the Build project. Additionally, the Community Advisory team for MEDCO oversees all the contracts, labor, and funds involved in renovating the house. Glew also looks at the housing market and buying new sites for future projects. Glew and Kern work closely to navigate the process of purchasing materials needed for the project.

Apart from giving students a hands-on opportunity, the project this year aims to also aid in the lack of affordable housing, especially for low to moderate income families. In order to cater to those that truly need it, Glew and Kern will coordinate with representatives from the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) to qualify buyers that meet low to moderate income guidelines. In addition to helping these families, this allows for students to also take part in building the community. Glew says the program seeks to invest in some of the older neighborhoods of the city. Ultimately, the Community Advisory team hopes to create a domino effect, and as Glew says, “inspire neighborhoods to reinvest in themselves.”

As Project Manager, Kern hopes to tap into the potential of students, “teaching them and getting them ready for the next phases in their lives where they may have to invest or build a property on their own.” Sourcing materials and labor locally means the students can get a good idea of the jobs in their own neighborhood, giving them a feel of what it will be like for them if they choose to follow those career paths. Kern believes the project will educate students on how to take care of their community. Kern, Glew, and the Community Advisory Team are the backbone of the Community Build project, giving the students, and the community, a way to build the future of Marion.