Dan with Ozark Radio News sat down to talk with Dean Aye about a community-focused organization that does a lot of work on improving the town of Willow Springs. For the full interview, listen below.
Transcripts Below:
Dan Williams:
This is Dan here with Ozark Radio news, and I’m here talking to Dean Aye, who is the director of the Willow Springs Community Foundation. Now, I know a lot of people out there haven’t exactly heard of this organization, so let’s go ahead and dip our toes into the water and figure that out. What things do you guys do?
Dean Aye:
Well, the Willow Springs Community Foundation owns and operates the Star Theater in Willow Springs, which has country and Western music shows, and bluegrass shows. We have the orchestra in there. We have rock and roll. We have ballet. And we have a number of plays in the theater. We also have a number of community use buildings, which are used for rentals and parties and meetings. And we also own and operate the Willow Springs Historical and Genealogical Society.
Dan Williams:
Okay. Lot of stuff in Willow Springs. A lot of stuff that I think people in the community have noticed, if not actually attended to and been to and enjoyed. But in addition to that, it looks like you also do things for the community, like organizing different groups. So how does that work?
Dean Aye:
Well, as the director of the Willow Springs Community Foundation, I attend a variety of different civic organizations. I’m engaged with the Rotary and the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the City, Main Street, a number of other civic organizations that work to the betterment of the community.
Dan Williams:
Now, getting into the meat of why I’ve brought you in here, which is a pretty cool topic, actually. I really enjoy hearing about this. So this is the home project.
Dean Aye:
Yeah. It’s a home project, it’s done through MHDC, Missouri Home Development Corporation. We tear down old houses, and we get a loan from MHDC. We build a new house there. We rent that house out for 25 or 30 years to limited income individuals. And then at the end of the agreed upon term, we sell that house out to the public.
Dan Williams:
Just out of curiosity, if there’s anybody out there who’s listening that might need to take advantage of that housing, how would they contact you guys?
Dean Aye:
We’re best reached right at The Ferguson Building at the four-way stop in Willow Springs. You can come in there, Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00.
Dan Williams:
Any applications that they’ll have to fill out?
Dean Aye:
There is an application process. We’ll take an application, and we’ll keep it on file. And as soon as a house comes available that suits your needs, we’ll give you a call.
Dan Williams:
About how much would it usually cost for somebody to try to get into this limited income housing? Because obviously, it is limited income. I’m assuming it’s affordable.
Dean Aye:
It’s very affordable. These are three bedroom brick homes on single family lots, and they rent for about $450 a month.
Dan Williams:
Honestly, that’s spectacular. I don’t think you could get a better price around here even if you wanted to.
Dean Aye:
It’s almost half of what most other rentals would be.
Dan Williams:
Big thanks, once again, to Dean Aye for talking with us on May the 19th.
