Tama County Economic Development Commission IN THIS ISSUE: Pedal Power Highlights Calendar Industry Focus Partners
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Congratulations to our owners of
New Businesses! Iowa Step & Tank 205 W. Grace, Toledo 641-484-TANK Owners: Tom Scharnweber, Kendall Jordan Litehaus Lounge 319 Main Street, Clutier 319-479-2444 Owner: Roger Peters The Closet 528—2nd Street, Traer 319-478-2425 A project of United Presbyterian Church Danielle’s Hair Salon 108 South Broadway, Toledo 641-481-0115 Owner: Danielle Johnson Haines Garden 2047—310th Street, Toledo 641-484-4615 Owner: Roger Haines Knots & Bolts 549 2nd Street, Traer Owner: Suzanne www.knotsandbolts.com If you are interested in starting a business or purchasing a business, take a look at: www.tamacountyiowa.org/opportunities
Fall 2008
“THE BEST RAGBRAI EVER!” …in the history of Tama-Toledo July 23 & 24—That is how some volunteers described the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). “This is the biggest thing that has happened for the community in the past 30 years I have been here” explained an advisory board member at the last Tama-Toledo RAGBRAI executive meeting. “Its great that we will be in the black, but this was never about making money. We were clear from the get go that the goal was deepening the cooperative relationship between the cities of Tama and Toledo, as well as Meskwaki Settlement, and let the individual businesses and nonprofits have the opportunity to make money.” In a letter to Tama News Herald, Mary McBee captured the same sentiment describing how riders view this annual RAGBRAI experience:“…[It is] unlike the speed emphasis on shorter tours elsewhere. There develops an unusual support and togetherness in this challenge. It’s about cooperation, not competition. It’s about building connections.” The 2008 RAGBRAI route followed a significant portion of the old Lincoln Highway and included Tama County’s Montour, Meskwaki Settlement, Tama, Toledo, Vining and Chelsea. Economic impact of this 2 day event on Tama County is estimated to be over $500,000.
TAMA COUNTY’S RENEWED FOCUS ON SENIOR LIVING PLANNING On the precipice of retiring baby boomers, communities are looking at housing, transportation and other initiatives to embrace the increasing median age of rural communities like Tama County. Perceived lack of access to healthcare is sited as a deterrent for remaining in small towns, while closeness to family and friends, safety and low cost of living are incentives for remaining or moving t o s m a l l t o w n s . Organizations like People Rides offering low cost shuttles to medical appointments are just some of the organizations actively producing long-term solutions. Leading the charge locally are leaders from cities in Dysart, Traer and Tama. All in various stages of investigating options or planning, they are all specifically looking at housing infrastructure solutions. The interesting math is that in spite of the fact that the local workforce population (ages 15—49) size is increasing, the total population is not increasing. Thus leaving us to deduct that opportunities to take better care of senior citizens do exist.
www.tamacountyiowa.org
Tama County Economic Development, Fall 2008
A Breath of Fresh Air Highlights of Q2 2008 REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT: The City of Tama acquired property necessary to extend the South Tama Rec Trail in a loop around Cherry Lake. Currently it is being extended in Toledo in cooperation with the new Hwy 30 bypass. Cities of Traer and Clutier also had summer street excavation projects. Demolition for construction of a new Casey’s gas station at U.S. 30-63 junction in Toledo is underway. TRANSPORTATION: Two important components of Tama County’s transportation network are included in Iowa Department of Transportation’s 5 year plan: 1) Tama-Toledo Bypass, and 2) Meskwaki interchange. A project for Hwy 96 around Gladbrook is also currently underway. TAMA ETHANOL: Chris Miller, CEO of Alpha Holdings reported a change in strategy to shareholders at the end of June. 1) efforts to fund the smaller Dexter plant first over the larger Tama plant, and 2) converting processes to be fully integrated renewable fuels as ethanol and food for humans and animals. DEVELOPMENT ROUNDTABLE DINNERS: Public Meeting discussions with experts and community leaders. TUE Aug 19, 6:30 at Traer Public Library. Topic of the evening will be Starting a Housing Trust Fund for Tama County. TUE Sep 16, 6:30 Dysart, TUE Oct 28, 6:30pm Garwin. (discussion topics subject to change) www.tamacountyiowa.org/calendar
IN THE PRESS: Montour was recently featured in Our Iowa magazine as the winner of Iowa’s ‘Best Bloomin’ Town’. The financial award from the Iowa Dept of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is being applied towards downtown beautification projects. I-FOODS: Iowa Valley RC&D is launching a six county initiative to develop, educate and streamline capacities for connecting locally produced foods to local outlets. Counties include: Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Lynn, Poweshiek and Tama. w w w . i v r c d . o r g / regional_food_initiative.php HISTORIC PRESERVATION: Representatives from the 12 cities of Tama County have completed their initial inventory of historically significant structures in Tama County. Application to the state for Certified Local Government status is expected to be filed in A u g 2 0 0 8 . www.tamacountyiowa.org/preservation BARN QUILTS: End of June, six more Barn Quilts where put on display amongst Tama County’s rolling hills. A total of eleven Tama County Barn Quilts have been completed since the p r o gr am ’s in c e pt io n in 2 0 06 : www.tamacountyiowa.org/barnquilts TOURISM: Tama County Tourism completed construction of an exhibit at the Reinig Center featuring each of the 12 cities in the county. A video based on the exhibit can be viewed online: www.tamacountyiowa.org/tourism
NEW FREE SERVICE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS Location-One Information System (LOIS) is a FREE international online database of industrial buildings and sites designed to market Tama County’s assets beyond its borders. This free service is now also being extended to commercial properties like vacant downtown spaces. Listing rural ag zoned parcels with development potential are also encouraged. Call Economic Development 641-484-3108 for more info. www.tamacountyiowa.org/LOIS
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GRANT PARTNERS
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FALL CALENDAR AUG Sat. 16 Car & Motorcycle Cruise Traer 4-9 p.m. 319-478-2323 Tue. 19 Economic Dev. Roundtable: Housing Development Traer Public Library 6:30pm—7:30pm 641-484-3108 Sun. 31 Annual Fall Festival Chelsea Chicken & ham dinner, country store, kids games, polka music, bingo, raffle, 641-489-2171 SEPT. Sat. TBD Grape Picking Festival, Harvest JEV Winery, 2 mi. east of Tama 8 a.m.—noon, must pre-register 641-484-8048 (expect date to change based on delayed crop) Tue. 16 Economic Dev. Roundtable Historic Preservation Dysart 6:30-7:30pm 641-484-3108 Sat & Sun Cruisin’ & Car Show 20-21 Tama-Toledo Car show 4 p.m., cruise 8 p.m. Prizes, street dance 641-484-6661 OCT. Sat. 4 Buffalo Ranch Open House Dreesman Buffalo Ranch, southeast of Tama, Buckskinner, flintknapper, hay rides, grilled bison burgers 641-484-6725 Sat. 4 Wine Tasting & Fall Festival Dysart Main Street exhibits, business specials, music, food, drawings Iowa Wine Makers displays 319-476-3600 Sat. 18 Gals & Pals Event Traer Activities, shopping & food 319-478-2346 Tue. 28 Economic Dev. Roundtable Transportation Garwin 6:30-7:30pm 641-484-3108
www.tamacountyiowa.org/calendar
FOR COMMUNITES:
FOR FAMILIES:
Tama County has been declared a presidential disaster area. Along the Iowa River, Chelsea, a portion of the Meskwaki Settlement, and Montour were especially impacted. Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) numbers indicate 338 homes have been affected by the flooding. Of those homes, 301 are habitable, 26 have minor damage, and 11 have major damage. 144 of those homes were insured. Road damages are estimated to be at least $.5 million, nature recreation damages assessed around $100,000, estimated corn yield is down five bushels per acre.
FOR BUSINESSES:
FLOOD RECOVERY RESOURCES
FEMA: assistance with basic needs not covered by insurance. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other assistance may be in the form of loans. Available to homeowners and renters, businesses of all sizes, nonprofits and communities affected by the flood. www.fema.gov. or 1-800-621-3362 Small Business Administration Physical Disaster Loans: 4% disaster loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged property including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. www.sba.gov. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): 4%, loans for working capital to assist throughout the recovery period. www.sba.gov The Iowa Disaster Reimbursement Grant: provides limited financial assistance to eligible households with disasterrelated needs, if unable to meet such needs through other means. Income guidelines apply. Max: $3,319/houshold. Applications are due by August 15, 2008. www.dhs.iowa.gov. or 877-937-3663 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are payable for unemployment as a result of a major disaster. Businesses that were closed due to loss of water supply should inquire about this benefit for their employees. 319-235-2123 or 319-352-3844. Farm Service Agency (FSA): 3.75% Emergency Loans available to eligible family farmers which will enable them to return to their normal operations if they sustained qualifying losses. Applications at 102 Hwy 30 West, Toledo. USDA Rural Development Home Loans: Provides long term low interest financing to help homeowners remove health and safety hazards, and make needed improvements www.rurdev.usda.gov or 641-648-5181 Department of Homeland Security’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes for long-term hazard mitigation projects after a major disaster declaration to reduce the loss of life and property in future disasters. Communities may apply on behalf of affected individuals and businesses. www.fema.gov/government/grant/hmgp/index The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) up to $4 million is dedicated to Tama County to help with flood and wind clean up and repair of government-owned property, mostly for bridges and roads. Equipment and skilled workers available. Larry Jones: 641-484-2701 National Disaster Grant Through the Emergency Public Jobs (EPJ) dislocated workers can work doing flood related clean up and repair at non-profit worksites. 1-800-284-4838 Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA): local nonprofit helping children and families come up with solutions for needs. www.micaonline.org or (641) 752-7162 Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need. A new team will be deployed to the area shortly. Partnership with schools also possible. www.habitat.org AmeriCorps: Group deployed in Vinton pledged to use a significant portion of their time for flood recovery efforts. www.americorps.gov Internal Revenue Service: Special tax law provisions may help businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster. Among other things this could be in the form of delayed paying or expedited returns. www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=156138,00.html. Other: Banks, communication providers and other organizations are giving special consideration for expenses incurred as a result of the flooding. Ask if you have a long term and or responsible track record working with such entities in the past.
It is not too late to apply for most of the programs. Experts anticipate a dramatic surge in request now as entities impacted by the flooding start looking towards the future with assessments and learn what damages will not be covered by insurance. The state of Iowa’s official site for information and services is available at: http://flood2008.iowa.gov/
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MEDIA PARNERS
Tama County Economic Development Commission
Economic Development Partners Platinum
Farmers Cooperative Telephone Co.
Gold Tama County Abstract Company TIP RURAL ELECTRIC
Tama Paperboard
Iowa Valley Community College
Silver
Bronze Carl Luze Real Estate, Carl’s Electric, Chyma’s Machine & Welding, Covenant Clinics, Deer Creek Health Center, Deimco Finishing Equipment, Designer Inn & Suites, DeWitt Refrigeration, Eikamp Insurance, Farmers Savings Bank & Trust-Traer, Garwin Community Revitalization, Gladbrook Investment Company, Imagine This, Iowa Builders Supply, John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Kenkel Law Office, King Tower Café, Manatt’s, Pam’s School of Dance, MICA, Mark Harrington CPA P.C., Medicap Pharmacy, Plaza Family Dental Center, Rainbow Lake Little Lodge, Jim & Mary Roan, Rowan Equipment & Fabrication, Rube’s Steakhouse, S&S Car Wash & Storage, Sand Hill Auto Salvage, Sash Auction Service, Sunny Hill Care Center, Traer Municipal Utilities, Union Grove State Park, Verocity Wireless, Wolfe Clinic Eye Centers, Wrage Realty
Please consider partnering with Tama County Economic Development. Form is available at: www.tamacountyiowa.org/PartnershipForm2008
Tama County Economic Development PO Box 22 Toledo, IA 52342 www.tamacountyiowa.org
The mission of Tama County Economic Development is to coordinate the cultivation and development of Tama County’s business environment by aiding business, agriculture, industry and residents in maximizing their full economic potential within the county and beyond.
* list as of press date 08/01/08
Bohemian Mutual Insurance Association, Consumers Energy, Dysart Development Corp, Grundy County REC, J. Adams Photography, Home Federal Savings Bank, Sunshine Laundry/Tama-Toledo Storage, Tama County Board of Realtors, Tama Co. Mutual Insurance Assoc., Tama-Toledo Chamber of Commerce
Nick Podhajsky, Chair, Traer Don Lyons, Vice-Chair, Dysart Gerry Kopriva, Director, Clutier Roger Ochs, Chelsea Pat Veit, Chelsea Arlene Vondracek, Clutier Dwayne Luze, Dysart Mark Fisher, Elberon Scott McMains, Elberon Carl Zoffka, Garwin Merle Parks, Garwin Geri Eilers, Gladbrook Mandy Gehring, Gladbrook Roland Fink, Lincoln Jerry Buskohl, Lincoln Susan Holubar, Montour Dale Gericke, Montour Chris Bearden, Tama Josh Youngbear, Tama Pam Wood, Toledo Pete Zmolek, Toledo Ellen Young, Traer Midge Horton, Vining Phyllis Hosek, Vining John Mehlert, Farm Bureau Keith Sash, County Supervisor Larry Vest, County Supervisor Patrick Henry, County Supervisor
Staff Lindi Roelofse, Exec. Director Joanne Husak, Secretary
Standard Mail U.S. Postage Paid Toledo, IA Permit No. 22