Iowa Lakes Corridor News & Events

News & Events

Microgrants available for businesses in the Iowa Lakes Corridor

Monday, February 01, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT Alyssa Petersen Coordinator of Administration & Communication, Iowa Lakes Corridor Phone: 712-264-3474 Email: apetersen@lakescorridor.com Microgrants available for businesses in the Iowa Lakes Corridor The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) and Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission announce a microgrant program available to businesses in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties. The Corridor COVID-19 Business Recovery Grant is a competitive grant program that assists regional businesses and industry with recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The program is funded through a grant from the US Department of Commerce. “These microgrant awards will empower Corridor-region businesses with resources needed to take a step forward towards recovery an...

Business owner year-end opportunities

Thursday, December 17, 2020

The end of 2020 is quickly approaching, and with the year’s end, business owners have opportunities. First is to celebrate! Despite setbacks caused by the pandemic, many businesses in our Corridor region accomplished a lot in 2020. It is important to spotlight and celebrate our achievements with employees, suppliers and customers. Employees Business owners know that employees are critical to their company’s success. Invest time and effort into providing feedback to your employees. Annual reviews are important and necessary. Visit with each team member to see how their year went, identify professional development goals for next year and define training opportunities an...

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...

Shopping Small: Chamber Fun

Tuesday, December 08, 2020

It’s that time of year again. A time of giving and enjoying the season with loved ones. The weather is colder, our homes seem that much warmer, and we’re thinking of those in our lives who make each day better. With this year looking different than most, shopping local is as important as ever. Our local businesses are integral to our communities, and they have a variety of products for our family, friends, and even a few things just for us! Shopping small not only supports the business owners in our communities, but it helps keep your money circulating in the region, whic...

A major opportunity to invest in our people and our businesses

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Most of us involved in business leadership agree that our people are our greatest asset. We also recognize that investing in our people with meaningful professional development often gets lost in the busy-busy-busy nature of daily operations. We spend so much time working IN our businesses that we fail to work ON them often enough to build on what we are doing right and to correct what we are doing wrong. As we practice social distancing and face broad economic restrictions on business activities due to COVID-19, we have a opportunity to invest in our people and our businesses. In particular...

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...

Hiring & Honoring Veterans

Monday, November 18, 2019

Two local entities have recently been recognized: one business for their commitment to hiring and retaining veterans, and one business owner who has served in the military and is now committed to serving his local community. Iowa Lakes Regional Water awarded Platinum Medallion Award Iowa Lakes Regional Water was one of five Iowa businesses that received a Medallion award, and one of three that were awarded the Platinum Medallion Award from the HIRE Vets Medallion program. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE Vets) Act was signed into law in May 2017. The Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment an...

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...

Fast Facts About Iowa Lakes

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

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

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

Employment Opportunity

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

Employment-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

News & Events

News & Events

Fast Facts About Iowa Lakes

Low cost of living and affordable housing...

Highway improvements...

Healthy Income

After 5 p.m. you are on vacation!

Employment Opportunity

Trails, trails and trails. . .

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