Iowa Lakes Corridor News & Events

News & Events

The clubs in our 'Economic Development' golf bag

Friday, January 29, 2021

Some years ago, I read a book about golf. Before anyone makes fun of me, know that it was Golf for Dummies, and given my handicap, it didn’t work. I should have read Golf for Athletically Impaired Invertebrates. There was one takeaway that stuck with me, though. The author, former PGA pro and announcer Gary McCord, suggested that amateurs match their swing tempo to their temperaments. If you’re relaxed and easygoing, swing slow and smooth like Freddie Couples, but if you’re wound tight, whirl that 3-wood like Nick Price. The message, be who you are, is as applicable to life and leadership a...

Supporting Small

Monday, December 14, 2020

Want to support your local businesses, but don’t necessarily need something from their inventory right now? Here are a few other ways to support them! Ask if you can order something special through them Even though a small business you love may not have exactly what you’re looking for, you might be able to talk to them to see if they can order it in for you! Like, Comment, and Share their posts This may seem simple, but likes, comments, and shares help businesses by exposing their posts to your friends and followers. And with more interactions, social media sites are more likely t...

Moneyball works for communities too

Thursday, October 22, 2020

The World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays is tied at one game apiece. Not many people know that because not many people are watching; television viewership for game one on Tuesday was the lowest in history. That’s too bad, because those who do watch will see a collision of divergent organizational styles brought about by economic realities. The most important message—there is always more than one way to win. The Dodgers are gorgeous. They play under the open LA sky. Their stars are fast, fluid and frequently have great hair. (Well, except Mookie Betts.) They also planne...

It takes a village

Friday, September 25, 2020

We’ve all heard it said, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and I’m sure most of you who are parents would agree. Replace the second half with “…to build a community,” and you have a different statement that holds true and economic developers agree with! Looking back at my high school years I remember driving through the small town downtowns where I grew up in rural Southwest Iowa, dreaming of a job where I could help play even a small part in revitalizing the communities. Yet, I didn’t plan to go into economic development when I started at Buena Vist...

A thank you to our Cities & Counties

Thursday, February 13, 2020

A humming downtown. New houses. Smooth streets. Safe neighborhoods. Jobs, jobs, jobs. Folks in rural Iowa demand a lot of our cities and counties, and we rarely say thank you. As we near the end of our series on vital economic development partners, let’s correct that offense. Thank you for investing in the infrastructure to support growth. When spring finally gets here the backhoes, dump trucks and pavers will come out of hibernation across the Corridor. Businesses and residents alike will benefit from the results—improved water, sewer and roads. Without these projects, friction would cause our economy to seize. Thank you for development-friendl...

Energy utilities keep the lights on and the jobs coming

Thursday, February 06, 2020

On the edge of many small Iowa towns is an industrial park with a cluster of manufacturing companies. How did they get there? You can thank in part your local energy utilities, essential partners in economic development. The same folks who keep the lights on also keep the economy growing. That’s particularly true here in the Lakes of Northwest Iowa where we are blessed to have energy utilities that are innovative, aggressive and generous. Dare we say they are energetic? The Corridor is proud to include seven energy providers among our membership: Spencer Municipal Utilities, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, Corn Belt Power Cooperative...

2020 Healthiest State Annual Awards finalists announced

Tuesday, January 07, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Kollauf Healthiest State Initiative lauren@iowahealthieststate.com 563-495-0357 2020 Healthiest State Annual Awards finalists announced Lyndsey Fennelly will give keynote speech at Feb. 6 ceremony DES MOINES, IA (Jan. 6, 2020) — The Healthiest State Initiative has announced the finalists for the 2020 Healthiest State Annual Awards. Individuals, communities, K-12 schools, early care providers, out-of-school programs and workplaces will be recognized for their efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of Iowans in their respective sectors at an awards ceremony on Feb. 6 in West Des Moines. The finalists in the eight categories include: Healthy HometownSM Powered by Wellmark Community Award Creston Dallas Center Dickinson County Manning Washington Waverly West Union K-12 School Irvin...

Fast Facts About Iowa Lakes

After 5 p.m. you are on vacation!

The Iowa Lakes Corridor offers balance in life. Spend time with loved ones, meet career objectives, and enjoy scenic commutes, excellent schools, safe communities and endless recreational opportunities.

Life-new

Highway improvements...

Safe and efficient highways are throughout the region for commercial, resident and tourist traffic. Recently improved roads include Iowa 86 and 9, and US 20 and 71.

Highway 86-new

Healthy Income

Median household incomes in Dickinson Country are greater than the Iowa and nation median incomes. Clay, Buena Vista and Emmet Counties have median household incomes ranging from $44,556 to $50,289.

Household Income-new

Trails, trails and trails. . .

There are more than 200 miles of trails throughout the Iowa Lakes Corridor region for the cyclists, runners, walkers, cross country skiers and snowmobilers.

Trails-new

Low cost of living and affordable housing...

The cost of living and housing prices in the Iowa Lakes Corridor are below the US averages.

Affordability-new

Employment Opportunity

The Corridor offers career opportunities in the key industries of agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and health services.

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News & Events

News & Events

Fast Facts About Iowa Lakes

After 5 p.m. you are on vacation!

Highway improvements...

Healthy Income

Trails, trails and trails. . .

Low cost of living and affordable housing...

Employment Opportunity

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