(Storm Lake)—The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation held its annual meeting Monday in Storm Lake.
Corridor officials say the goal for the past year was to add 150 jobs; they say corridor companies committed 430 with the retention of another 36 jobs. Along with that, they say 18 projects were completed, 14 acres of land sold, $37.46 million in new capital investment was announced and 489,000 in additional square footage occupied, constructed or planned. They say 27 projects were generated, with 34 existing industry reviews; eight existing companies assisted, and 10 new business started. Along with that, they say 39 entreprenuerial clients were added in the region, with 33 existing ones experiencing increased revenues. Over $150,000 of federal and state funds were awarded for various projects in the Corridor region.
Corridor officials say over $2.8 million was raised to support regional economic development for the fiscal years 2013-2016…the largest dollar amount in the organization’s history.
The 2012-13 Chairman’s award was presented to Nichole Krager, a business teacher at Storm Lake High School.
The corridor also announced the election of new board members and officers. The two new board members are Rick Oleson and Barry Sackett. Each will serve three-year terms beginning July 1st. The new officers elected to the 2013-14 board include Brad Simington of Farmer’s Savings Bank as Chair; Steven Pick of Spencer Municipal Utilities as Vice Chair; and Valerie Newhouse of Iowa Lakes Community College as Treasurer.
