The project that launched Wichita Habitat for Humanity’s 2008 construction projects was completed in just 24 days from the shingles down to the laminate flooring. The simple house sits in the heart the Habitat Village at 33rd Street North & Jackson Ct.; the finished project will be dedicated during a special ribbon-cutting celebration Wednesday evening that will include a “passing of the keys of homeownership” to the Wear family.

Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the ICM, Inc. organization will be Chris Mitchell, Vice-President of Marketing of ICM; this will be the company’s sixth opportunity to see a family’s dream come true and to witness both their joy and pride at achieving this milestone in life. Chris will be joined by ICM employees and other community volunteers who helped during the project, the Wear family, Wichita Habitat for Humanity board members, and staff.

When asked why ICM is a partner with Habitat, Dave Vander Griend, President and CEO of ICM said, “As a company built upon a foundation of faith, ICM believes in supporting the mission of Habitat for Humanity. Through our work with Habitat over the years, we’ve been blessed to help others achieve their dream of home ownership. We have also enriched our own lives through the spirit of giving. Habitat’s model of providing financial skills and home maintenance classes are critical tools that ensure the families are able to continue building a better quality of life for their future generations to enjoy.”

The Wear family will close on their 20-year 0% Habitat mortgage on May 14th and will then begin transforming the house into their home. The family has completed 400 hours of sweat equity, completed the Habitat homebuyer education classes and saved $1,200 for homeowners insurance and closing costs. The family helped to build this house alongside other volunteers.

Homeownership does make a positive difference in the future of this family. The Wear family said, “This home means a new and great beginning for our family and also provides a wonderful environment to raise children in and the opportunity to meet and get to know a lot of generous and kind individuals.”

”Wichita Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Linda Stewart, said, “ICM has rapidly grown to be a leader in their industry and in this community. The organization has also demonstrated a high level of community service and compassion through their support of many charitable initiatives. ICM’s partnership with Wichita Habitat has now provided decent living conditions and the privilege of homeownership to six families who have a total of 22 children. We are all blessed by ICM’s leadership in action that has provided the dignity of a better tomorrow to the equivalent of a whole classroom of children.”

The dedication, ribbon-cutting, and open house is set for Wednesday, May 7th, at 6:00 p.m.

ICM, Inc. is home to many dedicated employees who work together to engineer, build, and support the global biofuels industry’s most efficient ethanol plants. ICM is the industry’s leading technology provider; their patented process technology is behind more than 3.8 billion gallons of North America’s annual ethanol production.

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit ecumenical Christian housing ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus , Ga. , in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. Habitat homes are sold at no profit and purchased by low-income households through no-profit 0%-interest mortgages.  The local Wichita Habitat for Humanity affiliate, founded in 1986, has built 89 homes in the Sedgwick County area and has plans to build 16 in 2008.

The Habitat Village is a 42-home neighborhood development project that is located on 6.5 acres near 33rd Street North & Arkansas in Wichita. Wichita Habitat purchased the land in 2005 and has been fund raising to implement the needed infrastructure and build houses plus a pocket park. Plans are to complete the $3.3 million project by early 2010.