DuPont Pioneer received an Iowa Venture Award from Iowa Area Development Group for its new distribution center in Spencer. Pictured is the Dupont Pioneer team with IADG President Rand Fisher, Mike Ralston, President of Iowa ABI, Jed Skogerboe and Tresa Hussong of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, and Kathy Evert of the Iowa Lakes Corridor.

The Iowa Area Development Group, on behalf of Iowa's rural electric cooperatives and member municipal electric systems has honored nine distinguished Iowa companies with the Iowa Venture Award. The Iowa Venture Award business recognition program began in 1988 and over the past 25 years has honored over 200 of Iowa's most accomplished business leaders and companies.

"The Iowa Venture Awards Luncheon provides a forum to celebrate the courage, contribution, innovation responsibility and vision of Iowa entrepreneurs," said IADG President Rand Fisher. "IADG, on behalf of our sponsors, is proud to recognize these nine outstanding companies for their contribution to their community, region and state."

DuPont Pioneer received a Venture Award for the new distribution center in the Green Industrial Center in Spencer.

"We are very proud that Pioneer selected Spencer for their regional distribution center and congratulate them for the Iowa Venture Award," said Kathy Evert, president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. "Pioneer is a great Iowa company that continues to grow, invest and create good jobs and worthy of this recognition."

Have you dreamed of starting your own business? Do you have a product idea or invention you would like to bring to reality? Do you need to know if your business can make it in today's economy?

Consider taking the Kaufman FastTrac^® NewVenture™ entrepreneurial training course offered by Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. The course will be offered in Dickinson County beginning Tuesday, February 26. It will be held every Tuesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. through April 30. This program is best-suited for entrepreneurs in their early stages of business development. It provides the tools to develop a business concept, determine the viability of the business concept, and outline the critical steps to a successful business launch.

Kauffman FastTrac^®, an initiative of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and grow successful businesses. Kauffman FastTrac^® participants don't just learn about the business, they live it. They work on their own business ideas or ventures throughout the program - moving their ventures to reality or to new levels of growth. Kauffman FastTrac^® programs were created by entrepreneurs and are facilitated by entrepreneurs.

"We have invested significantly in training with the Kauffman Foundation to be able to offer this program in our region. We are very excited about how this program can help further our goal of becoming recognized as the most attractive region for entrepreneurs and new ventures," said Kathy Evert, President and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. "I have worked with the Kauffman FastTrac^® program in the past and know it will be of great value to entrepreneurs and business owners and to the long-term economic vitality of this region."

The cost for the 30-hour program is $199 and includes all materials, a business coach, and guest speakers at each session. The program will be facilitated by Brian Dalziel, senior vice president of the Iowa Lakes Corridor. Dalziel brings 20 years of CEO experience to the class; he previously founded four technology companies, capitalized them with $18 million and grew them from start-up to market leadership.

Applications for Kauffman FastTrac^® NewVenture™ can be found here, or by contacting the Corridor at 712-264-3474. Hard copies are available in the Corridor office, 520 2^nd Avenue East, Suite 2 in Spencer. 

Kathy Evert, center, CEO and president of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, accepted the first place award for the Business Recognition Luncheon at the Mid-America Economic Development Council's Competitiveness Conference. Presenting the awards were Cinda Kelley-Hutchings, left, president of MAEDC, and Ron Starner with Site Selection Magazine.

The Mid-America Economic Development Council presented its annual Economic Development awards at the 2011 MAEDC Competitiveness Conference and Site Selector Forum in Chicago. Award entries were accepted in two markets per category - large market (annual marketing budget over $100,000) and small market (annual marketing budget under $100,000).

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation received two awards at the conference: first place in the small market division for the Business Recognition Luncheon (in the category of business retention and expansion), and second place in the small market division for its 2011-2012 Annual Report.

The Mid-America Economic Development Council, an organization that includes 10 states in the upper Midwest, is dedicated to enhancing economic developers' knowledge, capabilities and opportunities through multi-state networking, education and site selector interaction. Kathy Evert, CEO and president of the Iowa Lakes Corridor, served as president of MAEDC in 2011.

"MAEDC has been a tremendous organization for professional development, networking and access to site selectors for its members in the 10-state region of the upper Midwest," said Evert. "The annual awards program is a way to recognize the best of the Midwest and share success stories with peers across the region."

For many years, MAEDC has sponsored the annual Economic Development Awards competition to recognize and stimulate the creative use of quality marketing by economic development organizations throughout the ten-state Mid-America region in promoting their respective communities.  MAEDC's awards partner is Site Selection magazine, and all first place winners will be highlighted in an ad in the January/February issue of Site Selection magazine.  For more information about MAEDC, please visit www.maedc.net.

Diane Dykema started her business, Whimsey, over 20 years ago, making handcrafted Santa dolls. Her creations are on display at Art on 16th in Spirit Lake during December.

With temperatures dropping and snow flakes falling, it is beginning to feel like Christmas. For Diane Dykema, it feels like Christmas all year long. Her handcrafted Santa dolls are on display at Art on 16th in downtown Spirit Lake. Over 30 handcrafted Santa dolls are scattered throughout the gallery. 

Dykema has always been into crafts and sewing. In 1990, she came across a Santa head with instructions on making it into a doll. She enjoyed it, so she continued to make Santa dolls for family and friends. Word spread, and she was able to create a business out of making Santa dolls; Whimsey was born.

In 1992, Dykema took her Santas to craft shows, while still working full time at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. She eventually quit her job because she enjoyed making her Santas so much. For a short time, Dykema worked with a sales rep to get her Santas into stores. This wasn't quite as enjoyable, because she would have to make the same dolls over and over. Part of the fun was making each Santa unique.

When starting a new Santa, inspiration isn't hard to find. It could be a certain fabric or a fun accessory. Dykema pointed out her wine-inspired Santas; one holding red grapes and a bottle of red wine, and the other with green grapes and white wine.

For Santa's attire, Dykema takes apart fur coats and leather pants, and repurposes them for his coat and boots. She has had several requests over the years, including using wedding dresses and Navy uniforms to create Santa's outfits. She's also used family quilts and baby blankets. Other unique requests include making a Harley Santa, a Santa judge, a Santa minister, sports teams themed Santa, and even a Scottish Santa, kilt included.

Dykema's husband Dennis is known for his landscape paintings. But his artistry doesn't stop there. He actually hand sculpts many of the Santa faces, and makes the stands for the dolls.

Dykema is very appreciative for Art on 16^th for showcasing her Santas. "Their gallery and all they do to promote the arts in this area is outstanding! It's just one of the reasons Dennis and I enjoy living here," she said. 

In the beginning, Dykema kept one Santa doll each year, but eventually, she ran out of room. Now her children and sister get one every year. Most of her customers come back year after year to purchase a new Santa for their collection.

Over 100 Santas are created each year in Dykema's studio. The Santas range in heights, from 19-36 inches, and they range in price from $90-325. Visit Art on 16^th, 709 16^th Street in Spirit Lake, to view Dykema's Santa dolls during December.

Corridor Gift Guide

Dykema is just one of many artists included in the Corridor Gift Guide. The Gift Guide highlights artist entrepreneurs and their products throughout the holiday season. Jewelry, photography, pottery, blown glass, books, music and more are included. Also find treats for those with a sweet tooth.

Corridor Gift Guides can be picked up at art galleries throughout the region, Chamber of Commerce offices, and the Iowa Lakes Corridor office, located at 520 2^nd Avenue East in Spencer. A digital copy can be downloaded here.