(Spencer)– The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation celebrated 15 years of existence at its annual meeting Tuesday evening in Spencer.
In addition to Clay and Dickinson counties, the organization now also serves Buena Vista and Emmet counties and has over 67 member investors…more than half from the private sector.
Results for the past year for the Corridor include seven projects which have or will create 182 new jobs and retain 454 jobs, resulting in more than 259 million dollars in new investment and selling 284 acres of land in the region. The organization has also made over 240 contacts generating 69 projects or prospects for the region. 37 companies and businesses were assisted last year, 25 existing industry interviews were completed; and a venture capital fund making available 1.3 million dollars to area entrepeneurs was established.
Steve Grell of Spencer is Chairman of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation’s board of directors. He tells KUOO news the prospect of growing those numbers even more over the next 12 months is very bright. Grell couldn’t elaborate, but told us a number of projects are in the works. He says they have more prospects right now than they ever had. Grell attributes that to the work of CEO Kathy Evert and the fact the Corridor is now serving a larger region.
Another major highlight of the past year for the Corridor was the first annual Okoboji Entrepeneurial Institute. This year’s institute will be held August 5th through the 10th at Lakeside Lab with 32 students from Buena Vista University, Iowa Lakes Community College, University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.
The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation’s board of directors for the upcoming year include Steve Grell of Spencer, Chair; Curt Johnson of Okoboji, Vice Chair; and Dick Drahota of Storm Lake, Treasurer.
New board members introduced Tuesday evening include Terry Yarns of Spirit Lake and Bill Bumgarner of Estherville.
The Chairman’s Award was presented to founders of the Okoboji Entrepeneurial Institute. They include Tom Bedell, David Hensley, Bill Phelps, Kirk Stauss, Toby Shine, Bruce Tamisea, Bill Orrison, Cory Peterson and Doctor Harold Prior.
