20 yr Corridor logo
In This Issue
Corridor adds two new board members
Kudos!
Iowa Lakes Corridor's Annual Meeting
20 Years of Leadership video
2012 Middle School Entrepreneur Academy
Stateline Cooperative to build $9 million feed mill in Emmet County
Alta woman entrepreneur
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Corridor adds two new board members 

Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation announced the election of two to its board of directors, Valerie Newhouse and Mary Kay Bates.

 

Both have been elected to a three-year term beginning July 1.

 

Valerie Newhouse became the seventh president of Iowa Lakes Community College in February 2009. She has worked at Iowa Lakes for 20 years holding several positions including Associate Dean and Executive Vice President.

 

Newhouse has strong roots in the five-county Iowa Lakes area. She lived in Estherville for 22 years, where all three of her children graduated from Estherville Lincoln Central. Newhouse has completed course work for her Ph.D. in Community College Leadership and is currently working on her dissertation from Colorado State University.

 

Mary Kay Bates is the Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer of Bank Midwest in Spirit Lake, Iowa. With over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, Bates currently leads the administrative and operational support functions of the company with an emphasis on long range strategic and organizational development. 

 

Bates is a native of the Iowa Lakes region and is an active volunteer within the community. Bates currently serves on the Board of Trustee's of Lakes Regional Healthcare and is a director of the Lakes Regional Healthcare Foundation. She is the past president of the Bedell Family YMCA and the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Bate's other volunteer efforts include working with the Pearson Lakes Art Center, IGL Rotary, and Okoboji Tourism.

 

The Corridor is proud with the addition of these two women to the board of directors and looks forward to another successful year in the Corridor region. 
Cost of Living Index to begin in Corridor region

During the week of July 12-14, The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation staff began collecting data to compile for a Cost of Living Index for communities. 

 

The Cost of Living Index is designed to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure to compare and contrast cost of living among urban areas.

 

Items on which the Index is based have been carefully chosen to reflect different categories of consumer expenditures. Prices are collected at a specific time, in strict conformance with standard specifications and provide a sound basis for constructing a gauge of differences in the cost of consumer goods and services.

 

"We've been asked repeatedly for cost of living information from area employers and, over the years, have considered commissioning our own study to provide this information," said Kathy Evert, president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation.

 

"Most people are aware of the cost of living index (COLI) that has been published for several years each quarter for larger cities, and now we have an opportunity to participate for our smaller communities. We believe providing this information for each of our four county-seat communities (Estherville, Spencer, Spirit Lake and Storm Lake) will be valuable and useful information for employers as they're recruiting employees and for us as we market the region to prospective workers and employers."

 

The Iowa Lakes Corridor will begin participating in the national Cost of Living Index (COLI) this summer. The index has five key areas: food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services. 

 

There will be a separate index for each area and then a composite index. The Corridor staff will be conducting the surveys in person at area grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and other shops, as well as by telephone. 

 

Area business support will be greatly appreciated and will help ensure an accurate index is developed each quarter.

 

A cost of living calculator will be available for the public to use on the Corridor's website late this summer as a part of its workforce recruitment efforts. 

 

The cost of living calculator uses continuously updated data pulled directly from the highly regarded ACCRA Cost of Living Index to make these comparisons. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index data is based on the prices of more than 60 goods and services, updated quarterly.

 

The ACCRA COLI is highly regarded as the most accurate and reliable source of data comparing costs from city to city.

The first quarter index will be available by September and will be published by the Corridor.

 

For more information about the Cost of Living Index, contact Kathy Evert at [email protected]

Kudos!!

Berkley Bedell celebrated the 75th anniversary of Pure Fishing in Spirit Lake! 

 

Storm Lake City Council approved the building of the "Little Lake Discovery Center" 

 

Iowa Lakes Community College received designation as nation's only renewable energy leadership center by National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). New training facility to open in fall. 

 

Spencer Municipal Utilities received the Chairman's Award at the Iowa Lakes Corridor's Annual Meeting 

2010 FastTrac graduate, Brent Wyman, and sister Leah Wyman open Wyman's Spudnuts in Okoboji. 

 

Happy 10th birthday to KWIT-KOJI of Okoboji! 

 

Iowa Lake's Corridor's 2011-12 Annual Report is now available on our website. Click here
Upcoming Events
Milford Pioneer Days- July 27-28

Estherville Sweet Corn Days- August 2-3

KOJI-BOJI 10 years Birthday Bash: Saturday, August 4, in Okoboji 


Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute - August 5-10. 

Albert City Thresherman and Collectors Show - August 10. 
Want to be included in The Corridor?
Do you have a Kudos, Upcoming Event, feature story or other item that you would like included in The Corridor? Contact  Carrie and she'll be sure to include it!
 
The Corridor
July 2012 
Greetings!

The Iowa Lakes Corridor has been busy during this past month as we prepared for our Annual Meeting and 20th anniversary celebration and our 6th annual Middle School Entrepreneur Academy. Both events were a huge success and we thank all of those who made it possible. 

The Iowa Lakes Corridor is proud to announce additional new investors in our regional economic development efforts.  To date, 34 new investors have committed to the Corridor's C3 campaign.  These new investors were approved by the Corridor Board of Directors this month:

Tyson Foods - Storm Lake

Cannon, Moss, Brygger & Assoc. - Spencer

R&D Industries - Milford

The Acre Company - Spencer

Tri-States Grain Conditioning - Spirit Lake

Erichsen, Eckard & Assoc., P.C. - Spirit Lake

Kruse, Cate & Nelson  - Spencer

Avera Health - Sioux Falls

JCL Solutions - Spencer

 

Thank you to our new investors, and a thank you to our current investors for your continued support with the Corridor. 

Corridor's Annual Meeting and 20th Anniversary Celebration 
Monday, June 25, at Gull Point State Park 
 

The Iowa Lakes Corridor released the 2011-12 Annual Report at the Corridor's Annual Meeting. The meeting was held Monday, June 25, at Gull Point State Park Lodge on West Lake Okoboji, Wahpeton.

 

This year's Annual Meeting marked the 20th anniversary for the Iowa Lakes Corridor. Throughout the night, major events and people were recognized as a part of the special 20 year celebration. A video was shown to commemorate the Corridor's 20 year landmark and to highlight the leadership by those involved in bringing the four counties together to work as one.

 

It has been a successful year as the Corridor remained focused on existing employers, continued its marketing efforts inside and outside of the region, launched new entrepreneurial efforts, and enhanced its very successful youth entrepreneurship programming. 

 

During the fiscal 2012 year, 232 new jobs were committed to the Corridor region. 11 new businesses were started, 21 projects completed, 23 acres sold, $20.8 million of new capital investment, and 825 contacts were made. Also, 49 projects were generated, 17 existing industries were interviewed, 25 existing companies were assisted, 128 students participated in entrepreneurial training, 11 classrooms implemented Junior Achievement, and over $140,000 of Federal/State dollars were awarded for projects.

 

Copies of the 2011-12 annual report were distributed at the meeting and are available online at  www.lakescorridor.com.

 

2012 marked the end of the TARGET campaign for the Iowa Lakes Corridor, which ran from 2009-12. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bill Bumgarner spoke to the guests about this campaign, "We are pleased with the measureable progress that has been made over the past four years. Due to the diligent effort of the Corridor staff, our major goals were substantially achieved during one of the most difficult economic periods in a generation. This important work could not have been accomplished without the financial support, leadership, and encouragement of many companies, individuals, and government entities in the four-county region. We thank you."

 

In 2006, the Corridor began presenting a Chairman's Award to a dedicated volunteer or group of volunteers that contributes to the success and mission of the Corridor. The 2011-12 Chairman's Award was given to Spencer Municipal Utilities. 

 

Chairman's Award 2012
Steve Pick and Dave Hultgren accept the 2012 Chairman's Award on behalf of SMU, Monday night, June 25 at the Annual Meeting. 

 

SMU has always been a strong supporter and advocate for economic development and a huge proponent for regional economic development through and for the Corridor. SMU was given the award for creating an office space for the Corridor in the former RR Donnelly building. The long-term lease and build-out of the space has provided a lasting solution and home for the Iowa Lakes Corridor.

 

Steven Pick, Dave Hultgren, and Gary Tolzmann were present to receive the award on behalf of Spencer Municipal Utilities.  

 

Two retiring board members were recognized this year, Tom Wonus and Curt Johnson. Kathy Evert, Iowa Lakes Corridor President and CEO said, "We want to take a moment to thank the two members retiring from the board this year. Tom Wonus is unable to be with us tonight, but we thank him for his two years of service. Curt Johnson has served the Corridor Board for seven years, including all of the officers, and is our immediate past chair. Curt, on behalf of everyone in the Corridor, thank you for your leadership and service." Johnson was presented an award for his dedication and time. 
 
The night was such a success and the Corridor would like to thank all of the people who helped with the special night. 
20th Anniversary celebration video 
20 Years of Leadership - Iowa Lakes Corridor
20 Years of Leadership - Iowa Lakes Corridor
Middle School Entrepreneur Academy 
Corridor holds 6th annual Academy: Nate Fisher wins competition 
 
10 young entrepreneurs spent the week of July 9 turning their hobbies into businesses. The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has a goal to create the next generation of entrepreneurs, and these middle school students are well on their way to becoming business owners.
 
Students participating in the Entrepreneurship Academy are, left to right, front row: Preston Downs, Samantha Shepherd, Olivia Truog, David Holt, Matthias Harman, Nate Fisher, back row: Morgan White, Ian Stoever, Rachel Findling, Anthony Stewart, Councilor: Donalle Rodas, Instructor: Brian Dalziel  
The Academy focuses on teaching middle school students the power of starting their own business. The students learn how to write a business plan, how to identify business ideas, and how to turn a hobby into a business. Students had the opportunity to learn from real entrepreneurs throughout the week and had to raise capital in a mock-business setting.

 

Throughout the week, students did research and completed their own business plan. On the final day of the Academy, students gave a power point presentation to judges (Joni Anderson, with Buena Vista University; Deb Satern, with Satern Custom Machining; Kelly McCarty, with Small Business Development Center, and Brad Simington, with Farmers Savings Bank).

 

Winners of the business plan competition were: first place, Nate Fisher with his business of Restoration Barn, second place went to Morgan White, with her business of Koozie Ice, and third place went to David Holt with his business of Joker the Board-game.

 

The week-long Academy was facilitated by Brian Dalziel, Senior Vice President of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corp. and Donalle Rodas, a local volunteer. The students represented the Corridor from each county, being from Estherville, Dickens, Gillett Grove, Newell, Royal, and Spencer.

 

Kathy Evert, President and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, said, "We thank the parents and teachers who encouraged these students to participate in the week's activities. We are impressed and very excited to see the work of the students and proud to offer this learning opportunity to young people in the Corridor region."

 

Other youth entrepreneurial endeavors by the Iowa Lakes Corridor are the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute, a week-long event offered to college students, Be Your Own Boss seminar, the high school business plan competition, and the entrepreneurship training for high school teachers and Junior Achievement programming for k-12 classrooms throughout the region. 

  

For more information about the Iowa Lakes Corridor's youth entrepreneurship programs, contact Holly Pearson at
and 712-264-3474. 
Stateline Cooperative to build new $9 million feed mill in Emmet County 

EMMET COUNTY - StateLine Cooperatives' Board of Directors authorized the construction of a new feed mill at Halfa, Iowa.

 

StateLine Coop, whose main office is in Burt, Iowa, with locations in Kossuth, Emmet, Palo Alto and Winnebago counties, will begin construction of the $9 million project late this summer. The first phase will consist of demolition of the existing Halfa facility.

 

Expected completion of the project is set for late summer of 2013.

"We chose the Halfa location in Emmet County to meet the needs of our feed customers now and well into the future. We are very excited about the new feed mill which will also give area corn producers another market for their grain." Said Cherilyn Kirchau, StateLine Cooperative's Feed Department Manager.

 

Demolition of the old facility is underway in Halfa, Iowa.


Prior to construction commencing, the current facilities will be demolished aside from the North and South grain bins. The demolition will occur over a three to four week period. StateLine estimates construction will begin no later than August 1, 2012.

Upon completion, the mill will have the capacity to manufacture up to 400,000 tons of meal feed with the option of pelleting 200,000 tons of feed annually. The facility will be able to receive 20,000 bushels of corn per hour.

 

The structure will house the manufacturing equipment as well as three scales for incoming grain, feed ingredients and feed load out. The manufacturing equipment will include corn processing equipment, a micro nutrient scale system, a major ingredient scale system, a mixing system, as well as a pelleting system.

 

The state of the art feed mill will be able to serve the local livestock industry for years to come with an initial annual demand of 2.7 million bushels of corn and will use 8 million bushels of corn annually when running at full capacity.

 

"The Corridor was very pleased with the announcement of the new feed mill to be within the Corridor region in Emmet County. The region will greatly benefit thanks to this decision from StateLine," said Kathy Evert, Iowa Lakes Corridor's President and CEO.

 

StateLine Cooperative is a locally owned agricultural cooperative serving North Iowa and Southern Minnesota farmers specializing in agronomy, feed, and grain. This exciting expenditure verifies StateLine's commitment to local growers and the livestock industry.
Alta woman entrepreneur finds dreams in Hoodlebug

The Hoodlebug to open late summer

 

hoodlebug
The Hoodlebug of Alta is a refurbished old passenger train car, and will open late summer. 

 

In August 2011, Cindy Pedersen bought an old train passenger car and depot without hesitation because she knew exactly how to put it them use. "I didn't want to see Alta's main street die. I wanted to make sure Alta had somewhere fun to be," said Pedersen. Fun is exactly what is being brought to Alta's downtown and Highway 7. 

 

At the end of the summer, The Hoodlebug will open.

A Hoodlebug is slang for a small passenger train car. Pedersen and her family bought an old train car and depot and are in the process of completely refurbishing the car into a 5-business store. 

 

The five-service business will have a bistro, gift shop, event planning, and wedding rentals available. The numerous items and services provided by The Hoodlebug will serve Alta and surrounding communities.

 

The old train car will not only provide good services, but also be a feast for the eyes. Pedersen and her husband are completely re-modeling the inside of the car. "Without giving too much away," Pedersen describes what the end product will look like. "The finished product will have tin ceilings, a coffee counter from an old general store, another counter from the old cobble stone from the historical part of Storm Lake, lights made by an area artist, and stain glass windows. My daughter, an artist, is doing the artwork on the tables." The description of the building alone confirms why Alta citizens are so excited for The Hoodlebug to open.

 

Pedersen, a wife and mother of two has been in the food service business for 30 years. She currently manages the food service for the Storm Lake Schools. She has always dreamed of having her own coffee/bistro business. Her supportive family encouraged her to follow her dream, and that is just what she did. After networking with existing store owners across Iowa, she has learned what does and does not work.  

 

For Pedersen, the most enjoyable aspect about the process has been the continual family support she receives while she follows her dream. "Working together on this has allowed me to reconnect with my niece, who will be the store's manager, and because we are doing most of the work ourselves, it has definitely been a family adventure," said Pedersen.

 

A day in the life of Pedersen consists of searching for unique items on the internet that cannot be found in the area, as well as working on finishing up the train car and depot. "There is a lot of enthusiasm for The Hoodlebug to be open. I get asked all the time, 'when is it going to open?!' and I promise them it will open in the late summer." For some residents, the end of the summer cannot come soon enough. As Pedersen works the rest of the summer on the Hoodlebug, the rest of Alta will be patiently waiting. "We hope people will come out and enjoy being there once it opens." Pedersen stated.  

 

"For young entrepreneurs out there, if you have a dream, go for it. Yes, there will be a few negative people out there, but for the most part, people will really support you." Pedersen said.

 

Being her own boss, Pedersen has the freedom to work when she wants, and make the choices on her own. She is excited for her business to open because she is excited to always make her customers happy and be as accommodating as she can.

 

The Iowa Lakes Corridor has helped Pedersen with her initial business plan, helping her understand financially what was feasible and what was not. Contacting the corridor was one of the first steps she did before diving into the process. She plans on keeping continual contact with the Corridor through the opening and running of her store.

 

Entrepreneur Networking

 

The Iowa Lakes Corridor has an Entrepreneur Networking group called Club E. Business owners meet the first Monday of every month to share ideas, challenges, successes, and grow professional relationships. Those interested in attending should contact Brian Dalziel at the Corridor office at 712-264-3474 or [email protected]. Entrepreneurs throughout the Corridor region are encouraged to attend. 

Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation Staff

Kathy Evert

Shaun Arneson

Brian Dalziel

Holly Pearson

Samantha Miller

Joanne Follon

Carrie Cunningham