Upcoming Community Q&A: Upcoming Community Q&A: OUR TOWNS IN CHANGING ECONOMIC TIMESOUR TOWNS IN CHANGING ECONOMIC TIMES

www.tamacountyiowa.org

Congratulations to our owners of

New Businesses!

Toledo’s Christian Taekwondo Club 112 E. High Street, Toledo

641-691-7870 Owner: Jeff Chesick

Betsy on Broadway

108 S. Broadway, Toledo 641-484-2700

Owner: Betsy Sawyer

jGoods 323 Main Street, Dysart

319-476-4002 Owner: Jan Lockhart

Alvarez Auto Sales

103 Highway 30, Toledo 641-484-2207

Owners: Elias Alvarez & Josue Alvarez

Specialty Painting 2213 Highway 30, Tama

641-484-2043 or 319-573-0710 Owner: Lorna Perkins

Business Expansions A Wild Hair

408 1/2—2nd Street, Traer 319-478-2298

Ashley Forbes now offers a line of professional salon services

If you are interested in starting a business or

purchasing a business, take a look at: www.tamacountyiowa.org/opportunities

March 17 - Tama County Economic Devel-opment will be hosting a panel of experts with experience in different aspects of com-munity and economic development to help answer our citizens’ questions about the current economic conditions. Over 30 ques-tions have been received to date to gain insight on what experts and topics are of greatest interest to our community at this point in time. If you have questions, con-cerns or ideas on projects that you would like to get involved in pursuing, please let us know. We look forward to working with you in actu-alizing the potential of our assets in Tama County.

IN THIS ISSUE: Economic Changes page 1 Highlights page 2 Calendar page 2 Industry Focus page 3 Partners page 4

Tama County Economic Development CommissionTama County Economic Development Commission Spring 2009Spring 2009

Tue. Feb 24, 2009 is the anticipated unveiling of three big special projects: i) the eight local recipient entities of the EDIE awards, ii) the local artist(s) who de-signed and produced this year’s EDIE trophies, and iii) the first Tama County Business Magazine featuring all 24 of our EDIE nominees.

During the months of Jan & Feb 2009 Tama/Grundy Publishers and KZAT Radio 95.5 FM have been introducing us to the 24 EDIE nominees. Thank you sincerely to the Tama County Media for their participation in this important cog in economic develop-ment. Thank you also to our magazine sponsors Alliant Energy and Tama County Community Foundation, our 10 partner advertisers, our 25 local contributing writ-ers, and 6 local photographers who made it possible to have the first edition of Tama County’s own business magazine, celebrat-ing and inviting innovation for 2009 and beyond.

THE EDIES LIVE!THE EDIES LIVE!

Tue. Feb 24 | 6pm | Reinig Toledo Center

The

EDIE AWARDSEDIE AWARDS

“Our towns used to have a wider vari-ety of main street stores. Small busi-ness is the backbone of America & it creates jobs. How are we planning to get retail business interested in our town?”

“Are there any business/companies interested in coming to our area?”

Tama Co. Community Economic Meeting Tue. March 17, 2009 Reinig Toledo Center, 6pm The event is public and free.

“I want to see our community rebuild & grow. I believe we should use green technology. What kind of factors or technologies are out there to help us?”

2007 Awards custom designed by

Dreamland Productions

Traer, Iowa

GRANT PARTNERS

Page 2 Tama County Economic Development, Spring 2009

FLOODS OF 2008 UPDATE Jan 2008 - the City of Chelsea de-clined a buyout in favor of negotiating resources for raising houses above the 500 yr flood plane. In Tama County seven homeowners & two business owners applied for Jumpstart funding. WATER WORKS Dec 2008 - out of only eight Iowa awardees, two of Tama County’s cities’ water system improvement projects were selected for a no-interest loan from Iowa Finance Authority. Together Tama & Garwin received $368,800 of the over $1M available. TAMA COUNTY TOURISM GALA Jan 2009 - the annual Tama County Tourism Gala was held in Gladbrook. The event raised $3,390 to further Tama Co. Tourism’s mission of mar-keting and developing the Tama Co. points of interest and touting pride in the small town quality of life. FARM LAND VALUES Nov 2008 - average price on ag land increased 16% to $4,786 over 2007. Land values have almost doubled since 2003. The trend is expected to change as corn and soy prices have been decreasing, and production cost, fertilizers and seed have been increas-ing since then. MESKWAKI TO BUY PINNACLE BANK Feb 2009 - a $90M purchase critical to Meskwaki’s economic development diversification strategy.

TAMA COUNTY SCHOOL NAMED ONE OF THE TOP IN NATION Dec 2008 - U.S. News & World Report honored Green Mountain Garwin Sec-ondary School with a bronze medal as one of Iowa’s top 50 schools for pro-viding a well rounded education and preparation for college. TAMA COUNTY NEWSPAPERS WIN IOWA JOURNALISM AWARDS 1st Place: Best Spot News Photo: Tama News-Herald-John Speer & Best Feature News Story: Traer Star Clip-per—Jason Staker 2nd Place: Best Spot News Photo: To ledo Chronic le-John Speer 3rd Place: Coverage of Local Govern-ment: Tama News Herald; & Best Headline Writing: Toledo Chronicle. (Tama Co. Newspapers competed as a Weeklies Class 2). DYSART’S DREAMFIELD VILLAGE Dec 2008 - USDA approved a $1.5M direct loan and a $1,888,342 condi-tional commitment for a guaranteed & direct loan program to help fund the construction of a 31-unit assisted living facility. TAMA CO. FOUNDATION GRANTS During the 2009 grant cycle, non-tribal casino revenue tax dollars will be made available to finance betterment in Tama County. Applications can be downloaded online or picked up at your local bank, library or city hall. Grant Deadline: March 15, 2009 www.cfneia.org/tama.

SPRING CALENDAR

[

www.tamacountyiowa.org/calendar

FEB. Sat. 21

Tue. 24

MARCH Thu. 5— Fri. 6

Sat. 7

Tue. 17

Sat. 21

Fri. 27— Sat. 28

APRIL Sun. 5

Winter Wine & Dine Enjoy a fine dinner paired with fine wine and a night of music John Ernest Vineyard & Winery 2 miles east of Tama on Hwy 30 6:30 p.m. 641-484-8048

The EDIE Awards Event Public awards ceremony recogniz-ing enterprises that came up with innovative economic development solutions in 2008. Reinig Toledo Civic Center 1007 Prospect Drive, Toledo, 6pm Free, Please RSVP 641-484-3108

EntreFest Conference offering small busi-ness owners an opportunity to learn, share and cerebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of being an innovator in the heartland. Mariott Hotel & Conference Center Coralville, IA www.entrefest.com

Business Farm & Home Show Exhibitors, door prizes, drawings Meskwaki Convention Center, Highway 30 West, Tama 10am.—8pm. 641-484-6661

Tama Co. Community Economic Meeting Panel of diverse experts answers residents’ questions about plan-ning and positioning for our com-munity’s future. Reinig Toledo Civic Center, 6pm 641-484-3108

Spring on Main Business specials, music, kids events Main St, Dysart, 5:30 pm—8pm. 319-476-4949

Home & Products Show Business exhibits, drawings, prizes; lunch available Traer Memorial Building Fri. 4—8p.m. Sat.10a.m.—2p.m. 319-478-2346

32nd Annual Flea Market Antiques & collectibles, lunch & bake sale; vendors indoors and out 8—4p.m. 36th Annual Consignment Auction 10a.m. CSA Hall, Vining 319-479-2202

Since Tama County Tourism will be the first rural county to ever host the Iowa Tourism Conference in Oct 2009, it will be making the following improvements to the official visitors guide targeted at maximizing dollars flowing into the county.

Standard ad is $55. The goal: to include each of our over 240 points of interest. View new format & order form: www.tamacountyiowa.org/tourismguide2009

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE VISITOR’S GUIDE

1) New pocket size format 2) New & expanded distribution net-

work 3) Hiring a professional local designer 4) Direct marketing strategy

5) Quality of life enhancement piece 6) Stakeholder investment & transpar- ency 7) Cost savings strategies 8) Low accessible pricing

BUDDING & BLOOMING H i g h l i g h t s o f Q 4 2 0 0 8

1 2 3 4

8 7 6 5

EDIE NOMINIEES

Marketing / Attraction

Blue Hat Ladies: Hos-

pitality and Tour (H.A.T.)

Team welcomes groups of

visitors and introduces

them to commerce and

attractions in Dysart.

Tama County Barn

Quilts: Erects colorful 8x8

painted quilts on signifi-

cant barns and structures

all over Tama County.

Dysart Lions Club:

Road Housed profes-

sional live theatre event

“Dates with a Nut.”

Strategic Partnerships

Tama County Media:

Coverage of the

Tama County Economic

Development EDIE

Awards in 2008.

Tama County

RAGBRAI 2008: Host-

ing an International event

generating over half a

million of new income.

Tama County

Libraries: Product

sharing and unified grant

applications.

Entrepreneurship

Isabelle Originals &

Ivy Threads: Use of

direct marketing and sym-

biotic marketing

Mike Adams

Photography: Low

cost marketing strategies

to introduce people to

your work.

Knots and Bolts:

Online marketing

strategies, online sales

and Main Street store-

front.

Business Expansion

Petty Vinyl: Technol-

ogy investment for

long term growth and

strategic planning.

Iowa Step ‘n Tank:

Supplier acquisition

and strategic partnerships

Rainbow Nights Inc./

Designer Inn & Suites:

Non-franchise differentia-

tion strategy, innovative

marketing and press rela-

tions.

Community Development

Dysart Business

Builders: Expanded the

4th Annual Wine Tasting &

Fall Festival.

Garwin Freedom

Days Committee:

Enhanced the long stand-

ing tradition of Garwin

Freedom Days Celebra-

tion.

City of Montour: Won

Best Bloomin’ Town in

Iowa Award, and play-

ground beautification

project.

Workforce Development

Carl’s Electric: Ap-

prenticeship training for

young local talent.

Garwin Shelter House

Project: Involved High

School students in updat-

ing the Garwin City Park

Shelter House.

Tama County School

Districts: The leader-

ship of Tama County’s

school districts committing

to innovative solutions in

educating tomorrow’s

workforce.

Development Financing

State Bank of Toledo:

Received national atten-

tion for innovation in de-

veloped new Checking

Account.

South Tama Rec Trail:

Recreation Trail found re-

sources to accommodate

the new 4-lane highway,

and expanded.

Traer Industrial Park:

Received a grant of

$264,690 for the develop-

ment of infrastructure in

the Traer Industrial Park.

Real Estate Development

City of Clutier: Street-

scape improvement

project and vision for re-

storing Historic Main Street

Copper Beech: Res-

toration and multiuse

facilities on Main Street in

Rural America

Gladbrook

Investment

Company: Housing devel-

opment, blight improve-

ment and developing

small town assets.

Please join us in congratulating these enterprises' innovation in 2008:

Tue. Feb 24, 6pm at the Reinig Toledo Center You can RSVP to joanne@tamacountyiowa.org or 641-484-3108.

Light refreshments will be served.

Yes, I want to subscribe to

free news and info today.

I am also interested in be-

ing a 2009 Partner by mak-

ing a financial contribution

serving our county in pro-

active growth programs.

Please return the completed

form with your payment to:

Tama County, Iowa

Economic Development

PO Box 22

Toledo, IA 52342

info@tamacountyiowa.org

NAME

ORGANIZATION IF APPLICABLE

ADDRESS

CITY

PHONE

EMAIL

PLATINUM PARTNER $1,000

GOLD PARTNER $500

SILVER PARTNER $250

STATE ZIP

BRONZE PARTNER $100

WEBSITE PLEASE INDICATE IF YOU WISH TO HAVE

YOUR SITE HOSTED BY US

TAMA COUNTY, IOWA

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

WWW.TAMACOUNTYIOWA.ORG

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8

Alliant Energy

Bohemian Mutual

Ins. Assoc

Carl Luze Real Estate

Carl's Electric Service

Chyma's Machine &

Welding

Clapsaddle-Garber

Associates

Consumers Energy

Custom Creations by Sheri

Deer Creek Health Center

Deimco Finishing

Equipment

Designer Inn & Suites

DeWitt Refrigeration,

Heating, & Cooling

Dysart Development

Corporation

Eikamp & Associates

Farmers Cooperative

Telephone

Farmers Savings Bank &

Trust

Garwin Community

Revitalization

Gladbrook Investment

Company

Grundy County REC

Home Federal Savings

Bank

Imagine This

Iowa Telecom

Iowa Valley Community

College

J. Adams Photography

Jim & Mary Roan

John Ernest Vineyard &

Winery

PARTNERSHIPS IN 2009

Tama County

City of Chelsea

City of Clutier

City of Dysart

City of Elberon

City of Garwin

City of Gladbrook

City of Lincoln

City of Montour

City of Tama

City of Toledo

City of Traer

City of Vining

Kenkel Law Office

King Tower Café

MICA - Tama County

Family Development

Manatts

Mark Harrington CPA P.C.

Medicap Pharmacy

Pam's School of Dance

Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl

Plaza Family Dental

Center

Rainbow Lake Little Lodge

Rowan Equipment &

Fabrication

Rube's Steaks

S & S Car Wash & Storage

Sand Hill Auto Salvage

Sash Auction Service

State Bank of Toledo

Sunny Hill Care Center

Sunshine Laundry, T-T

Storage

Tama County

Abstract Company

Tama County Board of

Realtors

Tama County Mutual Ins.

Assoc.

Tama Paperboard

Tama Toledo Chamber of

Commerce

TIP Rural Electric Coop

Union Grove State Park

Verocity Wireless

Covenant Medical Clinics

Wolfe Clinic Eye Centers

Wrage Realty, L.L.C.

MEDIA PARNERS

[

CLUTIER Hydro Excavating………………………………..319-479-2234

Palace Roofing & Construction……………...…319-479-2748

DYSART

E. C. Concrete & Masonry……………………...319-476-5822

Russ Schild Excavating, Grading, & Tiling……319-476-3388

Tobin Construction………………………………319-476-4360

Mark Althof Construction………………………..319-476-3868

McAndrews Painting…………………………….319-476-5743

Seebach Plumbing, Heating, & A/C……………319-476-5184

Wauters Electric………………………………….319-476-5070

Weber Heating, Plumbing, & Air Conditioning..319-476-2590

ELBERON

Upah Construction……………………….……...319-439-5473

GARWIN

Benda’s Bulldozing…………………...…...…….641-473-3242

MD Construction……………………..…………..641-499-2136

Carl’s Electric…………………………..………...641-499-2225

GLADBROOK

S L Baumeier Co…………………………….…..641-473-2238

Gethmann Construction…………………….…..641-473-2323

DeWitt Refrigeration, Heating & Cooling….…..641-473-3232

Goos Electric………………………………...…...641-473-2404

John Bereczki, electrical contractor……….…..641-473-2539

TAMA

Better Dozing Service…………………………...641-484-4511

All Weather Gutters……………………..……….641-484-2557

Hargrove Construction…………………………..641-484-3442

Haughey Construction…………….…………….641-484-4836

J & M Sales & Service…………………………..641-484-2438

Landmark Custom Builders……….……………641-484-2357

Simon Construction…………………..………….641-484-4775

Staker & Contractors…………………….……...641-484-4989

Twin Cities Construction……………………..….641-484-6164

VanHamme Construction……………..………...641-484-3880

Kriegel Masonry…………………..……………...641-484-4780

Specialty Painting……………….……………….641-484-2043

Ternus Electric………………….………………..641-484-2532

Thomas Company………….……………………641-484-3240

R & T Roofing……………….…………………...641-484-7093

Potter’s Construction…………………………….641-484-4502

TOLEDO

Build a Dream………………………..…………..641-484-3402

Dostal Construction & Excavating……………..641-484-6272

Miguel’s Construction………………….………..641-484-2281

Scharnweber Water Conditioning……………...641-484-3923

Waterbeck Construction………………..……….319-478-6201

TRAER

Bear’s Bulldozing…………………...……………319-473-3213

Brent Coulter Construction……..………...…….319-478-8516

Himschoot Construction……….………………..319-478-8797

Pecenka Construction…………………………..319-478-2248

Dedic Electric…………………………………….319-478-8294

Larry’s Plumbing, Heating, & A/C……….……..319-478-2783

The Tama County Assessor reported double digit growth in property investment on new construction and addi-tions in 2008. Over $15 million was invested. That is 11% over the previous year. Star performers being: investment in industrial buildings increasing over 40 fold, and commercial buildings doubling.

TAMA COUNTY

LOCAL STIMULUS PLAN

Need some reminders of the benefits of investing in real estate in rural America? Here’s one: Since rural areas ex-

perienced much less of the home price boom of the first half of this decade, it stands to reason that now they are

experiencing less of a bust. Rural economy experts explain that we maintain at a generally stable level, avoiding

high highs and low lows, benefiting from green spaces, availability of land, and often better credit underwriting stan-

dards by rural lenders.

Slower economic times may be an especially good time to research contracting locally to update and maintain aging

infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, expand or build new structures. Here is the listing of Tama County con-

struction companies and contractors who can discuss recent innovations and local resources that can serve you

best, as well as provide references of quality of work on projects that add value and remain sustainable dating back

5 years.

Please consider partnering with Tama County Economic Development. Form is available at: www.tamacountyiowa.org/Partnership2009

Standard Mail U.S. Postage Paid

Toledo, IA Permit No. 22

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.

Tama County Economic Development PO Box 22 Toledo, IA 52342 www.tamacountyiowa.org

Tama County Economic Development Commission

Platinum

Gold

* list as of press date 02/01/09

Tama County

Abstract Company

TIP RURAL ELECTRIC Tama Paperboard

Farmers Cooperative Telephone Co.

Economic Development Partners

Silver Acme Printing Co, Bohemian Mutual Insurance Association, Consumers Energy, Dysart Development Corp, Grundy County REC, Adams Photography, Home Federal Savings Bank, Sunshine Laundry/Tama-Toledo Storage, Tama County Board of Realtors, Tama County Farm Bureau, Tama County Mutual Ins. Assoc., Tama-Toledo Chamber of Commerce

Bronze Carl Luze Real Estate, Carl’s Electric, Chyma’s Machine & Welding, Covenant Clinics, Custom Crea- tions by Sheri, Deer Creek Health Center, Deimco Finishing Equipment, Designer Inn & Suites, DeWitt Refrigeration, Eikamp Insurance, Farmers Savings Bank & Trust-Traer, Garwin Community Revitaliza-tion, Gladbrook Commercial Club, 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, Poweshiek Water Assoc., Rainbow Lake Little Lodge, Jim & Mary Roan, Rowan Equipment & Fabrication, Rube’s Steakhouse, S&S Car Wash & Stor-age, Sand Hill Auto Salvage, Sash Auction Service, Sunny Hill Care Center, Tama-Toledo Civic Women, Traer Municipal Utilities, Union Grove State Park, Verocity Wireless, Wolfe Clinic Eye Centers, Wrage Realty.

Iowa Valley Community College

Nick Podhajsky Don Lyons

Pat Veit Roger Ochs

Gerry Kopriva Arlene Vondracek

Dwayne Luze Mark Fisher

Scott McMains Carl Zoffka Merle Parks Geri Eilers

Mandy Gehring Roland Fink

Annie Stocker Susan Holubar Dale Gericke

Chris Bearden Josh Youngbear

Pam Wood Pete Zmolek Ellen Young

Midge Horton Phyllis Hosek

Kendall Jordan Larry Vest

Dan Wilkens

Lindi Roelofse Joanne Husak

Chair, Traer Vice-Chair, Dysart Director, Chelsea Chelsea Clutier Clutier Dysart Elberon Elberon Garwin Garwin Gladbrook Gladbrook Lincoln Lincoln Montour Montour Tama Tama Toledo Toledo Traer Vining Vining County Supervisor County Supervisor County Supervisor

Exec. Director Admin. Assistant