New officers announced for economic development organization
STUART – Stories of expansions, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities were plentiful at the 2014 Midwest Partnership Economic Development Corporation (EDC) annual meeting held Jan. 23 at Lake Panorama National Conference Center in Panora. The regional group, which includes Adair, Audubon, Greene and Guthrie counties, presented its 2013 results to more than 120 attendees present at the annual dinner event.
Economic Development Spurs Growth
Midwest Partnership EDC works with existing businesses and prospects to create jobs and expand industry and facilitated significant growth in 2013. Success stories noted included:
- AgriDrain Corporation, Adair, was named the “Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month” in February and was the first stop on Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s Manufacturing Week Tour of businesses.
- Scranton Manufacturing, Scranton, announced an expansion of 56,000 square feet that will allow the increased throughput and the addition of up to 75 employees to its existing workforce of 180.
- Bauer Built, Paton, sold their business to John Deere Manufacturing, who will maintain operations in Greene County, securing 150 jobs. Owner Vaughn Bauer began work on a new business in Paton, expecting to create 30-40 jobs.
- Puck Custom Enterprises, Audubon County, began construction on a 30,000 square foot addition and was honored by Des Moines Area Community College with the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award.
- AMVC, Audubon, began construction on a new vet supply distribution center that will create 10 new jobs.
Community Development Creates Job Opportunities
In addition to economic development, Midwest Partnership also collaborates on community development and tourism projects in the region.
- Whiterock Conservancy in Guthrie County was awarded a $400,000 Community Attraction & Tourism Grant from the state of Iowa for the overall $4.22 million construction of and improvement for 35 miles of trails.
- A countywide referendum for a casino in Greene County passed with the highest vote percentage in Iowa history with more than 75 percent in favor.
- The Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield was one of only 10 sites to receive the 2013 National Preservation Honor Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- Midwest Partnership EDC has established a five-year partnership for a regional entrepreneurship development project, made possible by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and two programs of UNI’s Business & Community Services – MyEntre.Net & The Institute of Decision Making.
New officers installed
A volunteer board oversees Midwest Partnership and is made up of member representatives of each county in the region. Sid Jones (pictured, left) of Home State Bank in Jefferson handed off the president’s responsibilities to Warren Varley (right) of Varley Law Firm in Stuart. New executive board members in addition to Varley are vice president Brett Irlmeier of Audubon State Bank in Audubon; treasurer John Rutledge of Lake Panorama Association in Panora; and the secretary, who has not yet been named.
ABOUT MIDWEST PARTNERSHIP
Midwest Partnership EDC represents Adair, Audubon, Greene and Guthrie counties in Iowa and is the region’s leading facilitator for the retention, expansion and attraction of business to create jobs and grow the tax base. For more information, visit midwestpartnership.com, email info@midwestpartnership.
