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July 8, 2013
The Corridor
Greetings!  
   

We hope you had a great Fourth of July weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather!

 

Numerous exciting things have happened over the last month in the Corridor, including our annual meeting, which was held June 24. We are also gearing up for the 8th annual Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute. This year's institute takes place August 4-9. 

Iowa Lakes Corridor Receives Economic Award from IADG

 

Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), honored Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation and President & CEO Kathy Evert with the Silver Shovel Award at a gathering at King's Pointe in Storm Lake on June 24.            

 

The Silver Shovel Award honors outstanding leadership, innovation and achievement in business and community development. In presenting the award Rand Fisher, president of IADG, highlighted numerous accomplishments of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. Fisher recognized their comprehensive approach to economic development in leading business and community development efforts with entrepreneurship, existing industry, new business and industrial locations.

 

Kathy Evert was recognized for her leadership as past President of the Professional Developers of Iowa and MidAmerica Economic Development Council; as well as her collaboration in advancing the vitality of the Iowa Lakes region.

 

"It is humbling and it is an honor to be recognized by our peers. Our success is due to great working relationships with partnerships like Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, Corn Belt Power Cooperative and Iowa Area Development Group," said Kathy Evert.

 

 Recent business growth within the region includes the new Green Industrial Center in Spencer with the recent addition of the DuPont Pioneer Distribution Warehouse as a tenant; the recently opened East Lakes Industrial Park in Spirit Lake with new tenant Federal Express; and expansion of Polaris in Spirit Lake, to name a few. Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation was nominated for the award by Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative and Corn Belt Power Cooperative.  

 

The Silver Shovel Award also brought with it a $1,000 contribution from the Iowa Area Development Group Community Foundation.  The financial award will allow Iowa Lakes Development Corporation to advance economic development through contributions to local 501c3 organizations.   The IADG Community Foundation was established to facilitate community based philanthropy throughout rural Iowa, promote entrepreneurship and advance economic development.   

 

The Silver Shovel Award was established to recognize significant accomplishments of our rural development partners.  IADG was established in 1985 to help its utility sponsors and their communities promote and foster economic development. The organization and its utility sponsors have been instrumental in facilitating over 1,700 projects, $6 billion in investment and creating over 40,000 jobs for rural Iowa.  

Iowa Lakes Corridor hosts Annual Meeting at King's Pointe Resort in Storm Lake 

The Iowa Lakes Corridor released the 2012-2013 Annual Report at the Corridor's Annual Meeting. The meeting was held Monday, June 24, at King's Pointe Resort in Storm Lake. Throughout the night, major events and people were recognized by the Corridor for their contribution to the Corridor's success. It has been a successful year as the Corridor remained focused on existing employers, continued its marketing efforts inside and outside of the region, entrepreneurial efforts, and enhanced its very successful youth entrepreneurship programming.

 

During the fiscal 2013 year, Iowa Lakes Corridor's goal was to add 150 jobs, Corridor companies committed 430. In addition: 36 jobs were retained, 18 projects completed, 14 acres sold, $37.46 million in new capital investment announced, and 489,000 in additional square footage occupied, constructed, or planned. There were 27 projects generated, 34 existing industry reviews, 8 existing companies assisted, 10 new businesses started, 39 entrepreneurial clients, and 33 of the Corridor's entrepreneurial clients experiencing increased revenues. The entrepreneurial clients created 45 new jobs and raise $1,081,000 in capital. In FY 2013, there were 366 students in entrepreneurial training and 18 classrooms participating in Junior Achievement. Over $150,000 of Federal/State dollars were awarded for projects. Copies of the 2012-2013 annual report were distributed at the meeting and are available online at www.lakescorridor.com 

 

Highlights for the Corridor over the past year included the first Innovation Pavilion at the Clay County Fair, the launch of the Good/ Jobs, People, Life campaign, and participating in the national cost of living index. Also, 2012-13 was the first year the C3 campaign,(Connect, collaborate, compete), was instituted. The C3 plan will provide sustainable benefits for the entire region long into the future. Over $2.8 million dollars were raised to support regional economic development for the fiscal years 2013-16. The Corridor has raised the largest dollar amount in history and also has the largest number of members/investors involved: 140.

 

In 2006, the Corridor began present a Chairman's Award to a dedicated volunteer or group of volunteers that contributes to the success and mission of the Corridor. The 2012-13 Chairman's Award was given to Nichole Krager, a business teacher at Storm Lake High School for her continued efforts and support for youth entrepreneurship in her classrooms. Krager shows support for the Corridor's efforts to promote and inspire entrepreneurship principles to youth in the Corridor region. Kathy Evert, President and CEO of Iowa Lakes Corridor presented Krager with the award.

 

"Nichole has been a participant and leader in our youth entrepreneurship programs since day one," said Kathy Evert. "She was one of the first high school teachers in our training program for teachers and how to incorporate entrepreneurship in existing classroom curricula, sent a group of students to the annual Be Your Own Boss seminar and worked with us to hold annual business plan competitions for high school students. We commend her for her support and dedication."

 

Two retiring board members were recognized this year, Lyle Hevern and Terry Yarns. Hevern served on the Corridor board for the past 7 � years while Yarns served the board for the past 6 tears. Evert thanked both Hevern and Yarns and gave each an award for their leadership, support and service.

 

Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation announced the election of new board members and officer positions. The two new members are Rick Oleson and Barry Sackett. Each have been elected to a 3 year term beginning July 1. The election of the new officers for 2013-14 board: Brad Simington, Farmers Savings Bank, Milford- Chair; Steven Pick, Spencer Municipal Utilities- Vice Chair; Valerie Newhouse, Iowa Lakes Community College- Treasurer. 

 

Oleson, Sackett join Corridor Board of Directors
At the Annual Meeting on June 24, the Corridor welcomed two new members to its board of directors. We are pleased to announce that Rick Oleson, Iowa Lakes Electric, and Barry Sackett, Sackett Law Firm, will be joining us for this coming year. (?)
 

Rick Oleson has over 30 years of experience in the electric utility industry. Oleson started his career with TXU (Texas Utilities) in 1982 working for Dallas Power & Light Company. In 1987 Oleson accepted a position with Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative. While working for them, he has progressed from Work Order/ Materials Agent to President and CEO. Oleson has made great strides for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative including developing several automation projects, two major renewable energy projects, and the construction of wind generation facilities in Superior and Lakota Iowa.  Oleson has his business degree from Iowa Lakes Community College and Buena Vista University. In 2001, Oleson completed the NRECA Management Internship Program. Rick Oleson is an active member of the Estherville Noon rotary Club, the ILEC Advisory Board for Iowa Lakes Community College Wind Energy & Turbine Technology Program, and the ILCC Scholarship Foundation. He also coaches MYFL football, Little League Baseball and American Legion Baseball. 

 


Before returning to Iowa to practice law, Barry Sackett served as Controller, CFO and/or General Counsel with the following companies: TheBrain Technologies, a knowledge management software company; California Waste Services, a construction recycling company; FW Carson Companies, a general engineering and trucking company; Arbor, a sporting goods and apparel manufacturer and retailer; and ATI Title Company, the title insurance division of Wells Fargo Mortgage. In addition to his in-house business experience, he has worked with start-up, merger, reorganizations and mature growth of companies large and small. Barry worked in state and federal government on environmental issues. He has a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law and Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from University of Iowa. He received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota-Carlson School of Management.

Schiltz Manufacturing expands into vacant Albert City building
Schiltz Manufacturing needed room to grow, and a building left untouched for 6 years in Albert City provided that opportunity. Schiltz Manufacturing, an auger business located out of Nemaha, Iowa, builds customized Center Unload Systems for specific bin specifications.

 

Schiltz Manufacturing purchased the building in Albert City in November of 2012, after it had sat empty for 6-7 years, Jeff Westcott, manager of the Albert City location is an Albert City native and drove by the abandoned warehouse every day.

 

"We ran out of room in our Nemaha location, and I thought the Albert City building would be a good fit, so I checked into it. The building was originally used for metal fabricating, so it was nice that it was wired the way we needed it to be." Westcott said.

 

 

Westcott noted Albert City has a nice and supportive community.

 

"There are so many opportunities in Northwest Iowa," Westcott said about the further expansion and growth of Schiltz.

 

The Iowa Lakes corridor was pleased that Schiltz chose to expand in the Corridor region and into an existing building.

 

"We congratulate Schiltz Manufacturing on their expansion and have enjoyed working with them," said Kathy Evert, president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridoor. "It is especially great to see the vacant building in Albert City now occupied and new economic activity taking place."

 

Schiltz manufacturing not only expanded in the Corridor region, but took old and made it new. 

Kudos!
 
- Nichole Krager, business teacher at Storm Lake High School was awarded the 2013 Chairman's Award by the Iowa Lakes Corridor at the 2013 Annual Meeting on Jun 24 for her continual efforts to support entrepreneurial training in her business classroom at Storm Lake High School. 

First-time author Eric Johnson, an IT specialist for The Arnold Motor Company, recently completed and self-published a book looking at the company's history with an emphasis on its founder, E.P. Arnold, and his business philosophy.
 

 

- Parks Marina for celebrating their 30th Anniversary

 

- Northern Iowa Die Casting for receiving $60,000 for their $2.7 million expansion from the Iowa Economic Development Authority! 

 

- Iowa fisheries Mike Hawkins has been awarded the Fisheries Biologist of the Year by the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for his work in lake restoration, watershed management and his leadership in getting the electric fish barrier placed at the outlet from Lower Gar Lake.

 

  Bruce Tamisiea, president and CEO of Tecton Industries in Spencer, was recently elected as a member of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry's Board of Directors. His term began July 1. 

Summer Intern Networking Initiative 
The Iowa Lakes Corridor is beginning a new initiative this summer that will allow summer interns in the Corridor region to network and attend various events and programs together. If you have an intern working for your business, please email their name and contact info to [email protected]. We hope to have numerous events throughout the summer that will allow a fun and beneficial atmosphere for young adults to become involved in the Corridor events and all that there is to offer. 

There is a beach volleyball/ frozen yogurt night planned for the interns on Wednesday, July 10, from 6-8pm. For more information, contact Carrie, [email protected]

Read about Erin Rossiter, intern at the Clay County Fair here
Mark your calendar:
 
The Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute is quickly approaching. Be sure to put these events into your calendar. 

August 4:
Welcome reception at the Bedell Home, West Lake Okoboji.  

August 7:
OEI Keynote Luncheon. Keynote speaker: Michael Vasquez 12:00-1:30 p.m. at Sami Center, Spirit Lake.  

August 9: 
OEI graduation: presentation by Manny Villafana 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Pearson Lakes Art Center, Okoboji. 

Sincerely,


Iowa Lakes Corridor Staff
Kathy Evert
Brian Dalziel
Joanne Follon
Carrie Cunningham 

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520 2nd Avenue East Suite 2, Spencer, IA 51301   712-264-3474

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