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OUR MISSION
“To foster, encourage, promote, aid or otherwise assist in the economic growth and development of the four-county region”
VALUES STATEMENT
As an organization we value honesty, respect, integrity, trustworthiness, openness and reliability. We use the strengths and opportunities of the four-county region to build collaborative efforts for the benefit of the whole.
As employees, we each uphold high ethical standards in all aspects of our work. Through continuous self-improvement, we strive to be ready and responsive. We hold ourselves accountable to our investors, clients and board members, providing results and working to ensure the success of the Iowa Lakes Corridor region.
About the Corridor
The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (formerly the Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity) was organized in 1992 to foster encourage, promote, assist or otherwise aid economic growth and development in the Iowa counties of Clay and Dickinson. In late 2005, Emmet County became a part of the region and in January 2006, Buena Vista County joined the region. Watch our special 20th anniversary video here.
The Corridor was recently featured in IAbiz Magazine as a Community Focus. You can read the article here: Iowa Lakes Corridor Community Focus. Our 2011-12 Annual Report won second place at the Mid-America Economic Development Council Competitiveness Conference. The 2011-2012 Annual Report can be read here: 2011-2012 Annual Report
The organization is a 501(c)6, non-profit organization in the State of Iowa. The Iowa Lakes Corridor is governed by a 12-member board of directors who set policy and direction for the organization. The board of directors is responsible for the hire of the President and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor. The Corridor currently receives funding from the public and private sector. The total annual budget is approximately $600,000. The Iowa Lakes Corridor has two full-time and two part-time, professional staff members with a central office located in Spencer.
The Iowa Lakes Corridor Board of Directors consists of three representatives of each of the four counties in the region, including Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties. Board members serve three-year terms and are elected by the membership through a nominating committee each year. Iowa Lakes Corridor board members must be a representative of a member/investor organization.
Officers include a chair, vice chair and treasurer. Officers are elected by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Board of Directors. The chair serves a two-year term.
Iowa Lakes Corridor Board of Directors and Officers:
Richard Drahota, Chairman, Heritage Bank, Storm Lake
Lyle Hevern, Treasurer, Chrsitensen Construction Co, Estherville
Bill Bumgarner, Immediate Past Chairman, Spencer Hospital, Spencer
Larry Anderson, City of Estherville
Dave Woodcock, Farmers Trust & Savings Bank, Spencer
Terry Yarns, City of Spirit Lake
Val Newhouse, Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville
Fred Moore, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake
Steven Pick, Spencer Municipal Utilities, Spencer
Pat Reno, RANCO Fertiservice, Sioux Rapids
Mary Kay Bates, Bank Midwest, Spirit Lake
