Iowa Lakes Corridor News & Events

News & Events

Thursday, October 22, 2020

October is Manufacturing Month and the Corridor is excited to share a few features on Women in Manufacturing throughout our region over the next couple of weeks! Today’s feature highlights a few of the manufacturing stars at Demco Products in Spencer. Carrie Engelkes is an Engineering Clerical Assistant at Demco. She’s been at her position for the past six years, but is more than willing to assist in other areas of the business as needed. The growing manufacturing industry that is constantly moving and providing opportunities to improve or learn new skills is what brought Engelkes to her career in manufacturing. “Manufacturin...

Don't Drop the Ball on Recruiting People to Iowa

Monday, October 19, 2020

Trigger warning: Breaking with normal practice, this column will for the next two weeks touch on politics. Some years ago, when reports revealed that nearly half of students at the University of Iowa were from out of state, lawmakers began voicing criticism. The Board of Regents responded with a new funding formula that rewarded our state’s three universities for enrolling native Iowans. It was an unfortunate response to a misguided concern. For decades, Iowa observers had lamented the loss of our best high school and college graduates to other states, the so-called brain drain. By attracting students from elsewhere, the regents universitie...

Four Corridor housing projects to receive tax credits

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Four Corridor housing projects to receive tax credits Awards totaling more than $2.55 million were announced today for four housing development projects in the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) Region through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Workforce Housing Tax Credit program. In total, the state awarded nearly $10 million in tax breaks for 19 projects across the state. The four projects in the Corridor region were: Emerald Woods Townhomes, a 10-unit single-family development in Storm Lake An unnamed 25-unit housing development in Spirit Lake Deer Creek Apartments & Townhomes, an 84-unit development in Estherville IGL West Beltway Residential Home Development, a 10-unit development in Spencer Kile...

Corridor announces Board of Director election Results

Friday, July 17, 2020

Corridor Announces Board of Director Election Results The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) recently welcomed two new board members for Fiscal Year 2021: Michael McKim, Plant Manager at Safco Products in Milford, and Edwin Waleh, President and CEO of Heartland Team Solutions in Estherville. The new members will add their leadership experience and guidance to the Board of Directors as the Corridor continues to help the region’s businesses thrive and to ensure its residents enjoy an active and rewarding quality of life. Voted by members to return for a second three-year term were Doug Benjamin, Northwest Bank in Spencer, who serves a...

Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration

Monday, April 27, 2020

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Governor Kim Reynolds ? Lt. Governor Adam Gregg FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday Apr. 27, 2020 CONTACT: Pat Garrett, (515) 802-0986, Pat.Garrett@iowa.gov Amy Mccoy (IDPH) (515) 240-0530, Amy.Mccoy@idph.iowa.gov Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration DES MOINES - Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration until May 27, 2020. The proclamation loosens social distancing measures in 77 Iowa counties effective Friday, May 1 and continues other restrictions until 11:50 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020. Watch the governor’s news conference here. In the 77 counties, the proclamation permits restaurants, fitness centers, malls...

Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act

Monday, March 30, 2020

The Small Business Owner's GUide to the CARES Act The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA...

IEDA announces Targeted Small Business Sole Operator Fund

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Iowa Economic Development Authority announces Targeted Small Business Sole Operator Fund The Targeted Small Business (TSB) program is designed to help women, individuals with minority status, service-connected disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities overcome some of the hurdles to start or grow a small business in Iowa. A fund has been created to support TSBs with zero employees that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers eligible small businesses grants ranging from $5,000-$10,000 to businesses that are sole proprietors or single-member LLCs that are also TSB certified, or have an application submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA...

Gov. Reynolds issues a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Governor Kim Reynolds ? Lt. Governor Adam Gregg FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2020 CONTACT: Pat Garrett, (515) 802-0986 Amy McCoy (IDPH) (515) 240-0530 Gov. Reynolds issues a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency DES MOINES - Gov. Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency activating the public health response and recovery aspects of the State Disaster Emergency Plan effective at noon today. It takes significant steps to require social distancing and limit community spread of the virus by implementing temporary measures including moving restaurants to drive-through, carry-out, and delivery only and closures of certain entities suc...

Corridor receives Entrepreneurial Investment Award from IEDA

Thursday, February 27, 2020

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 MEDIA CONTACT Alyssa Petersen Coordinator of Administration & Communication Iowa Lakes Corridor Phone: 712-264-3474 Email: apetersen@lakescorridor.com Corridor receives Entrepreneurial Investment Award from IEDA SPENCER, IOWA – The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) as a part of the Entrepreneurial Investment Awards program. The grant will support the Corridor in launching additional entrepreneurial development programming through videos, outreach and networking events. Corridor Senior Vice President Brian Dalziel envisioned the initiative, wrote the grant application and led the presentation to the review panel. In the past decade, the Corridor has assisted 228 early-stage ventures, 9...

Corridor participates in BEST of Iowa interviews

Monday, February 10, 2020

Corridor participates in BEST of Iowa interviews Goal to provide a state-wide existing business strategy SPENCER – The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation announces the beginning of the 2020 Business Expansion & Strategic Trends (BEST) of Iowa interviews. BEST of Iowa is a strategic partnership between economic development organizations and utility companies throughout Iowa that provides a state-wide existing business strategy. The Corridor has conducted these interviews for 14 years. BEST of Iowa, formerly known as the Existing Industry Call Program, is used to identify opportunities for growth, potential threats to retain jobs and any impediments that discourage local expansion. Economic development organization...

Kiley Miller awarded recertification in economic development

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Kiley Miller awarded recertification in economic development SPENCER, IOWA – Kiley Miller, President & CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, has been awarded recertification by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) through April 2021. Miller first achieved the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation in 2015. Recertification required that he fulfill demanding standards for continuing education and service to the profession. Miller has served as President & CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor since 2014. He previously was Executive Vice President of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Over his 11-year career, he has facilitated projects yieldin...

Professional Developers of Iowa a strong partner at the Statehouse and at home

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Professional associations are only as good as the people who make them up, but that’s hardly a limitation for the Professional Developers of Iowa. More than 300 leaders across the state are members of PDI. They range from local economic developers to city administrators, workforce pros and engineers. There are even a couple of mayors thrown in. That breadth of expertise makes PDI, like the Iowa Area Development Group that we wrote about in last week’s newsletter, a valued partner of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. When our team is looking for creative ideas to benefit our communities and businesses, hel...

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...

TAI announces 2020 Iowa Technology Roadshow

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

TAI Announces 2020 Iowa Technology Roadshow Des Moines, Iowa (December 18, 2019) — The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) is proud to announce the first-ever Iowa Technology (IT) Roadshow that will travel to ten rural communities across the state of Iowa in 2020. “The Iowa Technology Roadshow will influence and elevate Iowa’s technology industry, professionals, and businesses all across Iowa. TAI believes that all companies are technology companies and that’s why we are proud to bring Iowa technology industry experts to ten Iowa communities,” stated Brian Waller, President of TAI. The IT Roadshow will have a spring and fall tour. IT Roadshow Spring Schedul...

M&C Anderson Pullets, Inc. honored with Iowa Venture Award

Thursday, December 05, 2019

Des Moines, IA - The Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), on behalf of Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and independent telecommunication companies, honored eight distinguished Iowa companies with the Iowa Venture Award at a luncheon held in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ annual meeting. M & C Anderson Pullets of Sioux Rapids is acclaimed for their farming practices, including tree planting, water retention, and other conservation methods. This 1,753-acre farm is home to ten specialized bio-security facilities that rear nearly 5 million pullets annually. Owner Colleen “Coke” Anderson has been recognized as a leader in the poultr...

Iowa Prison Industry and Prison Industry Enhancement program visits

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Last week Corridor Business Retention & Workforce Partnership Coordinator Joanne Follon and Bob Becker, Spencer IowaWORKS, traveled to the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City. They had the opportunity to meet with Daniel Clark, Director of the Iowa Prisons Industry (IPI) Program and see the IPI training programs available for inmates to gain the education, soft and hard skills needed to be successful citizens upon their release. There are three private-sector work partnerships available through the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program: 1) employers transport offenders to/from the workplace 2) employers subcontract with IPI 3) employers set an operation inside a prison. The Stat...

Iowa Lakes Corridor announces 2019 Business Recognition Award winners

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) once again recognized great achievements by local businesses Wednesday at the organization’s 10th Annual Meeting and Business Recognition Luncheon at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer. Winners of this year’s Business Recognition awards are: · Young Professional of the Year – Candace Daniels, Spencer Hospital, Spencer · Entrepreneur of the Year – Jay Butterfield, Stickers and Posters, Storm Lake · Small Business Excellence – Oleson Chiropractic, Armstrong · Large Business Excellence – Janitor’s Closet, Spencer · Chairman’s Award – Buena Vista University, Storm Lake Barry Sackett of Sackett Law Firm and Rick Olesen, President of Iowa Lakes Electri...

Hosts of America's #1 economic development podcast to keynote Corridor Business Recognition Luncheon

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) is happy to announce Dennis Fraise and Jason Hutcheson, hosts of the #1 iTunes economic development podcast Develop This!, as this year’s Business Recognition Luncheon keynote speakers. The Develop This! podcast explores topics related to transformational community leadership in candid conversations with veterans of the economic development profession and inspiring interviews with other thought leaders. Co-host Dennis Fraise – As President and CEO of the Lee County Economic Development Group, Dennis benefits from an eclectic professional background that includes owning a small business that generated more than $3 million in sales. He is a nationa...

Press Release: Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative Installs Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Thursday, August 15, 2019

For Immediate Release: August 14, 2019 Press Contact: Tresa Hussong tresah@ilec.coop 800-225-4532 Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative Installs Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station Estherville - Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative is doing its part to alleviate range anxiety in northwest Iowa by installing a charging station in the parking lot of their headquarters’ facility in Estherville, Iowa, adjacent to the 140-kW solar array the Cooperative energized in October 2016. The Cooperative’s first chargin...

University of Iowa Hydrology Report - Flooding in the Iowa Great Lakes

Friday, June 14, 2019

June 4, 2019 Jen Johnson-Ross Community Development Manager Iowa Great Lakes Association 712-330-1178 jennypattyjohnson@yahoo.com University of Iowa Hydrology Report – Flooding in the Iowa Great Lakes High water levels in 2018 promoted the Iowa Great Lakes Association (IGLA) to engage the University of Iowa’s Institute on Hydroscience & Engineering Department to evaluate and present options to prevent further devastation to the environment, personal property and the recreation/tourism industry that drives the economy of Dickinson County. On Wednesday, June 26th at 1:30 pm the public is invited to the Sami Bedell Center for Performing Arts in Spirit Lake as world-renowned research engineer and professor of civil and environmental engineerin...

Miller named Consultant Connect Top 50 Economic Developers of 2019

Monday, May 13, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carla Sones Consultant Connect PO Box 50664 Kalamazoo, MI 49005 269.207.4982 carla@consultantconnect.org Consultant Connect Announces North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2019 KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants, announces its 2019 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers. The economic development professionals selected for this list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development industry and the site consultant community for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve. Each top 50 economic developer will be featured individually starting May 20 through the selected socia...

PDU Cables™ Announces production expansion to Estherville

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Contact: Troy Peterson, President, PDU Cables (612) 819-1927, tpeterson@pducables.com PDU Cables™ Announces production expansion to Estherville, Iowa. MINNETONKA – December 27, 2018 - Recent growth in PDU Cables business has led EPCO to seek manufacturing capacity beyond its current facility in Minnetonka. PDU Cables President, Troy Peterson’s familiarity with Estherville, has resulted in EPCO’s acquiring and plan to outfit the building at 108 S 18th Street to accommodate the assembly of select PDU Cables and EPCO products. Overseeing the buildout, staffing and management of the new facility for EPCO and PDU Cables will be Josh Howard. Josh grew up on his family’s far...

2018 Business Recognition Award Winners

Thursday, November 15, 2018

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation once again recognized great achievement by local businesses Wednesday at the organization’s annual Business Recognition Luncheon at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer. Winners of this year’s Business Recognition awards are: Young Professional of the Year – Brandon Rohrig, Lakes Regional Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year – Jill Harms, Blink Marketing Small Business Excellence – Steffes Companies Large Business Excellence – Rembrandt Foods Chairman’s Award (for outstanding support of economic development) – Lyle Hevern, Estherville Area Partnership for Growth Valerie Newhouse, President of Iowa Lakes Community College, and Dr. Carl Turner, retired Superintendent of Storm Lake School District, wer...

Corridor welcomes Katie Simpson as summer assistant

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has added Summer Office and Events Assistant, Katie Simpson, to their team. The daughter of Scott and Alison Simpson, and a 2017 graduate of Spencer High School, Simpson recently completed her first year at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she is pursuing degrees in marketing and public relations. Throughout her time with the Iowa Lakes Corridor, Simpson will create profiles of area interns, complete marketing and administrative tasks and will assist with the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute. “Working with the Iowa Lakes Corridor is such an incredible opportunity,” Simpson said. “I am excited t...

Get A Lakes Life: Find opportunity, fun in the lakes of northwest Iowa

Thursday, July 20, 2017

You can find opportunities in many places, but you have to look harder to find the right combination of opportunity and fun. The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is telling folks to look no further and get a lakes life. Visit getalakeslife.com, the Corridor's new website dedicated to spreading the word about what our region has to offer, to either find opportunities for yourself or for people you know. In the Lakes of Northwest Iowa region, you can land a job that launches you into a career. You can raise a family in safe, welcoming communities with spectacular schools. You can also live right next t...

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

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

Employment Opportunity

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

Employment-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

Low cost of living and affordable housing...

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

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News & Events

News & Events

Fast Facts About Iowa Lakes

After 5 p.m. you are on vacation!

Trails, trails and trails. . .

Employment Opportunity

Highway improvements...

Healthy Income

Low cost of living and affordable housing...

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