News & Events

Economic development improves a community’s economic well-being, wealth, and quality of life. It encompasses various activities to attract, create, and retain jobs to foster a resilient and inclusive economy. Economic development is a collaborative effort that involves working with businesses, governments, and various community stakeholders to achieve success.  Economic...Continue Reading

Please help us welcome back Summer Intern Anna Makarenko for 2023! Anna was the Intern at the Corridor last summer and was excited to join the team again this year. She just completed her first year at the University of Iowa majoring in Economics and Finance with a minor...Continue Reading

Spencer, IA – May 10, 2023 – The City of Spencer will be hosting a groundbreaking event for the North Y Gateway First Addition Development on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 11:30am - 1:30pm at 4000 Highway Blvd N. Spencer, the regional business hub of northwest Iowa and gateway to...Continue Reading

Iowa Lakes Corridor announces resignation of Chief Executive Officer   The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) today announced that President & Chief Executive Officer Shannon Landauer is resigning from the organization effective June 9, 2023.   “On behalf of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Board of...Continue Reading

Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation Announces Recognition of 2023 Economic Development Week The international event will highlight local efforts to increase the quality of life in every community over the course of May 8 to May 12, 2023 The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) marks the week...Continue Reading

Corridor President & CEO Shannon Landauer had a conversation with John Tatman, Plant Manager of DEMCO Products in Spencer and former Corridor Board Chair for a What's the Y? video. They talked about growth, economic development partnerships and how economic development and business has changed over the years. "The Corridor has...Continue Reading

CORRIDOR TO HOST QUARTERLY INVESTOR MEETING WITH DAKOTA BUSINESS FINANCE The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) will be hosting a Quarterly Investor Meeting on Tuesday, April 25th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the Lake Park Community Center. The Corridor is partnering with Dakota BUSINESS Finance for this event...Continue Reading

Kent Stensland, Chief Credit Officer at Bank Midwest in Spirit Lake, sat down with Corridor President & CEO for the What's the Y? video series to discuss regional economic development, mentorship, and excellence. "OEI to me was just something that kind of hit me in the heart. That was...Continue Reading

Steve Pick, General Manager of Spencer Municipal Utilities, sat down with Shannon Landauer to talk about partnerships and economic development in Spencer and the Iowa Lakes Corridor Region. From housing, to timing of projects and rural development, hear more about SMU and the Corridor. "Being a small utility, whether...Continue Reading

Jed Skogerboe, Manager of Business and Community Development at Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative sat down with Corridor President & CEO Shannon Landauer to discuss partnerships, programs and projects in the Iowa Lakes Corridor Region. "The biggest benefit out of all of this is the partnerships that you develop. Again,...Continue Reading

Continue Reading

OKOBOJI ENTREPRENEURIAL INSTITUTE TO BE HELD JUNE 11-15, 2023 The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) has announced that this year’s Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) is scheduled for June 11-15, 2023 in the Iowa Lakes Region. 2023 marks the 17th year of the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute, a program...Continue Reading

Former Clay County Supervisor and Iowa Lakes Corridor Board member Burlin Matthews sat down with Corridor President & CEO Shannon Landauer as a part of the Corridor's What's the Y? video series. They discussed the benefits of a regional economic development entity, it's unique characteristics and the importance of partnerships. "I...Continue Reading

Workforce. A word the Iowa Lakes Corridor staff hears every day. Sometimes it’s a kind comment on the dependable and hard-working employees our region has. But many times in the last few years, the comment has been “How do we increase our workforce?” Businesses looking to expand or locate here...Continue Reading

Shannon Landauer Wins 40 Under 40 in Economic Development Award Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) President & CEO Shannon Landauer, CEcD, has been announced as a recipient of the 2023 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, the biennial award recognizing rising stars under 40 years old...Continue Reading

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) will be hosting a Quarterly Investor Meeting on Thursday, February 23rd from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville Campus. The Corridor is partnering with Northwest Iowa STEM (NW STEM) for this event. The Governor’s STEM...Continue Reading

In October, the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) celebrated Manufacturing Month alongside many organizations and communities across the nation. As a part of those festivities, Corridor staff organized tours at four of the region’s manufacturers, inviting public sector elected officials, legislative staff, and chamber and economic development partners to...Continue Reading

Iowa Lakes Corridor President & CEO Shannon Landauer, CEcD, was featured on the Golden Shovel Agency's ShovelTalk Podcast. On the podcast, she discussed the importance of mentorship, as well as the power of community and regional partnerships. Check it out! Continue Reading

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) recently welcomed four new board members for 2023: Matt Beaver, Owner at KILR Radio; Mike Koenecke, Owner/Farm Manager at Cotton Grave Farm Management; Michelle Nicoson, Human Resource Manager at moveero, Inc.; and Ebony Rahe, President and Managing Partner at Williams & Company...Continue Reading

    For many years, Ranco Fertiservice, Inc. has been a pillar of the rural community in the Iowa Lakes Corridor. As a premier manufacturer of dry fertilizer equipment in Sioux Rapids, Ranco specializes in Declining Weigh Continuous Blending, a process that weighs the output...Continue Reading

Continue Reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2022 MEDIA CONTACT Alyssa Petersen Coordinator of Administration & Communication, Iowa Lakes Corridor Phone: 712-264-3474 Email: apetersen@lakescorridor.com Iowa Lakes Corridor announces 2022 Business Recognition Award winners The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) once again recognized great achievements by local...Continue Reading

                                PRESS CONTACT: Alyssa Petersen, Coordinator of Administration & Communication Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation apetersen@lakescorridor.com 712-264-3474 Iowa Lakes Corridor communities proclaim October as Manufacturing Month The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) was joined by County...Continue Reading

See the full release here.   September 21, 2022 For more information contact:  Staci Ballard 515.348.6245 Email: communications@iowaeda.com  IEDA awards $35 million in credits to Workforce Housing Tax Credit projects September 21, 2022 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced...Continue Reading