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GroWARRENow
INVESTORS
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A&W Restaurant
Bank of the West
C&L Companies, Inc.
Capital City Fruit
City of Carlisle
City of Des Moines
City of Hartford
City of Indianola
City of Norwalk
City of West Des Moines
City State Bank - Norwalk
Clarke Electric Cooperative
Community Bank - Indianola
Des Moines Truck Brokers Inc.
DMACC
Doug Shull
Downing Construction
EDJE Technologies
Hubbell Realty
Indianola Municipal Utilities
J.E. Meadows & Co., L.C.
James Oil Co. L.L.C.
McClarnon Properties
McClure Engineering
Mid-American Energy
Noble Ford
Norwalk Ready-Mix
Peoples Bank
Peoples Company
Record Herald & Indianola Tribune
Regions Bank
Shull & Co
Simpson College
Snyder & Associates
Sternquist Construction
Story Construction
Summerset Winery
Three-Sixty Group
Vander Linden Real Estate
Vanderpool Construction
Walmart
Warren County
Weinman Insurance
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Doug Shull
Vice President
Mayor Ruth Randleman
Secretary
Steve Bruere
Treasurer
Denis Frischmeyer
County Supervisor
Steve Wilson
Jack Bohlender
Rita Conner
Amy Duncan
John Fuller
Naomi Hamlett
Todd Kielkopf
Stacie LoVan
Greg Marchant
Jim Meadows
John Parker
Mayor Doug Pierce
Jeff Saddoris
Tom Wagenknecht
Rick Wilson
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WCEDC STAFF
Jason E. White
Executive Director
Hollie Askey
Director of Operations
Rachel Gocken
Administrative & Communications Coordinator
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WCEDC has launched both a Facebook and Twitter page! Join us in the conversation!
Oh, and, don't forget about LinkedIn!
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"GroWARRENow!" Moves Towards Goal
The "GroWARRENow!" campaign initiative was a historic undertaking when it was officially launched this past January. We had a lot of fun at the kick-off, and many of our friends, partners and allies committed to helping us meet our goal.
We knew the path would not be easy, yet we are proud to say that presently we are at 75% of our goal! Thank you to so many of you for your confidence in us and for investing in this aggressive plan of work.
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If you have not yet invested in "GroWARRENow!" and would like to do so, please contact us and we will make arrangements to visit with you.
The Warren County Economic Development Corporation continues to work on many projects for Warren County. We believe that the future of Warren County's economy is very bright, and we are excited to be a part of it.
Since January 2012, our project summary is as follows:
- Total Leads/Prospects/Projects: 61
- 26 Existing Business Retention/Expansion (38%)
- 19 Business Recruitment (28%)
- 11 New Business Starts (16%)
- 5 Regional Proposals to the Greater Des Moines Partnership (8%)
We have also retired six projects that we believe are on the "back burner" at this time. Further, we are working with a developer on a housing project in one of our partner communities which needs workforce-based housing.
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Business Retention & Expansion
Marble Works Adds Showroom & Green Capabilities
 
Click here to enlarge photo Click here to enlarge photo
Marble Works, located in Carlisle, Iowa, recently celebrated the opening of their new showroom with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce and subsequent public open house.
Marble Works has been in business for approximately 10 years. The company started with one employee (the owner/founder, Toby Tyler). At that time, Marble Works was primarily producing Cultured Marble Vanities. The company has grown into a multi-state supplier and manufacturer of Cultured Marble Vanities and shower systems, as well as engineered surfacing for kitchens and baths. Marble Works has grown with 19 employees, one of the larger primary sector employers in the community. The company has twice expanded to meet marketplace demands. The new showroom in Carlisle enables Marble Works to better showcase the company's products.
In addition to Cultured Marble Vanities, Travina glass tub and shower systems, the company is further involved with Travina recycled glass and seashell countertops, as well as Genesis Quartz and Polystone solid surface counter tops. Marble Works is especially excited about the Travina recycled glass products, which is manufactured from post-consumer recycled glass and bio-resins. These capabilities enable Marble Works to support a "greener", eco-friendlier world, giving consumers more purchasing options.
The company is also exploring some international relationships. Marble Works is proud of its dedicated and hardworking staff, and expects continued growth.
See their products and learn more about Marble Works at: www.marbleworksiowa.com |
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Public Relations & Advocacy
Purple Heart Highway Re-designation
 The Purple Heart Highway collaboration promotes the area from the Highway 5 bypass from Interstate 35, to the Highway 65 bypass at Interstate 80. The stakeholders involved include six communities, namely Altoona, Carlisle, Des Moines, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, and West Des Moines. Additionally, the counties of Polk and Warren are stakeholders, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Des Moines MPO have supported the effort. The collaboration also includes two professional economic development groups, Warren County Economic Development Corporation and the East Polk Regional Economic Development Corporation.
The stakeholders have as their mission the promotion and enhancement of economic development along the Purple Heart Highway route. As one move, the organizations worked together to fund one half of a safety and operations study to explore the viability, costs, and possibilities of converting the Highway 5 bypass to an interstate highway. The Des Moines Metropolitan region is one of a few regions its size which has an incomplete interstate loop around the region, and the re-designation would complete the loop. Additionally, the group recently received a $5,000 grant from Prairie Meadows to perform additional marketing of the Purple Heart Highway. WCEDC sponsored the grant application for Purple Heart Highway.
More information about the Purple Heart Highway collaboration can be found at
www.purplehearthwy.com |
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Target Marketing and Product Development
Mixed Use Development Land, Martensdale, IA
Diligent Development currently has 68 acres of mixed use development land located on the west edge of Martensdale. Land uses include single family, multifamily, commercial and industrial. Property sits on Hwy 92 just 1.5 miles east of Interstate 35 and less than 20 miles from West Des Moines & Downtown Des Moines. The property borders Martensdale/St. Mary's athletic complex and future school site, as well as the trail head for the Great Western Bike Trail. This land is in the perfect location and is a wonderful opportunity for new development in Warren County. For more information on this property, contact Steve Bruere at 515-240-7500.
Martensdale Flyer
Directions to the property: Travel east on Hwy 92 from the intersection of
Interstate 35 and Hwy 92. Turn north onto 30th Ave. Property is situated
on the NW corner of 30th Ave and Inwood St. |
Quality of Life & Workforce Development
Leadership Institute Celebrates 2012 Graduates!
WCLI Class of 2012 from left to right: Janet Bunce, Jason Cross, Kirk Baker,
Justin Fletcher, Tanner Bunce, Joe Grandstaff, Sarah Harl, Brent Hinders,
Erin Larsen, Staci Scheurenbrand, Dr. Mike Lindeberg & Chelsea Rouse
Not pictured: Jesse Stewart & Michael Kleene
On April 19, 2012 at Simpson College, the members of the Warren County Leadership Institute (WCLI) celebrated their accomplishments at a graduation ceremony. This year's class participated in seven class sessions that occurred every other week starting in January. Class members learned about different personality traits, how to effectively deal with controversy, and how to improve their leadership skills. They discussed Warren County government, education, emergency management and economic development. Near the end of the program, the class took a day trip tour of Warren County. The excursion featured tours of La Vida Loca Winery, Broadbent Distillery, Bedwell Gardens, Marbleworks, Stadium View for lunch, and Williams Machine Shop.
The class also organized and carried out a project for the betterment of Warren County. This year's class raised $1,000.00 and various household products for the Warren County Necessity Pantry. This pantry was created by the Department of Public Health to assist those that do not qualify for other government assistance. The class also raised $500.00 for the North Warren Fire Department for the fitting expense of their fire masks. The North Warren Fire Department is the only fire department in Warren County that is not supported by city governments. In total, the Class of 2012 raised $1,500 for the betterment of Warren County.
The Warren County Leadership Institute Board of Directors congratulates the Class of 2012, and would like to thank the sponsors of the WCLI Class of 2012 for their generosity and community spirit.
2012 Leadership Institute Sponsors:
Community Bank | Fiss' | Indianola Masonic Lodge
McCoy True Value & Just Ask Rental | Peoples Bank
RE/MAX Innovations | Simpson College | The Village
Two Saints Winery |
2012 Kent Britten Leadership Award Winner
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Mallory VanderLinden presents the 2012 Kent Britten Memorial
Leadership Award to Tim Davison of Chumbley's Automotive |
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