This Week in the Corridor

Area business leaders tour Safco Products on Tuesday in Milford

Safco Products hosted more than a dozen business people Tuesday at the second gathering of the Lakes Regional Business Leadership Roundtable.

Attendees toured the facility that turns out desks, chairs, and other office furnishings. Safco has been operational in Milford for less than two years and Plant Manager Michael McKim shared with his guests the lessons, some of them difficult, that the company learned during the launch.

Organized by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation at the urging of business leaders, the roundtable is intended to build stronger relationships and encourage collaboration among large employers in the area.

Future facility tours are expected. To learn more, call Kiley Miller at the Corridor, 712-262-3474.

Does your company hire summer interns? We want to know!

The Corridor is compiling a list on internships available throughout the summer to publish and assist those looking to improve their skills and gain workplace experience. If you have internships you're looking to fill, please send an email to Alyssa Petersen at apetersen@lakescorridor.com!

Featured Real Estate

Site: Estherville South Industrial Park

Opportunity Zone Eligible

Location: 9th Ave. S.

Estherville, IA 51334

42 acres

Sale Price: Negotiable

For more information visit the Corridor website!

News to Know

Good energy, good momentum

New business filings in Iowa over the last year have achieved another single-year record with a 4.5% increase from the previous year. In 2019, 24,720 new businesses were filed with the Iowa Secretary of State's Office. The Corridor region is also seeing the growth and momentum in business startups.

Learn more about entrepreneurship in Iowa and the Corridor.

Partnerships, Progress, Prosperity

The Corridor has begun visiting with partners about the new five-year initiative: Partnerships, Progress, Prosperity. As the current four-year strategic plan comes to an end, the Corridor has a renewed focus on Partnerships, Progress and Prosperity across the four-county Corridor region.

Read more about the recent visits to Buena Vista County and Emmet County.

Dickinson County among the Most Generous Counties of Iowa

In a recent study done by Smart Asset, Dickinson County has been ranked the 4th Most Generous County in Iowa. The designation is based on the charitable contributions as a percentage of income as well as the proportion of taxpayers that made some sort of donation.

Read more about the study.

M&C Anderson Pullets, Inc. honored with Iowa Venture Award

Sioux Rapids operation M&C Anderson Pullets was one of eight Iowa companies recognized with an Iowa Venture Award. M&C Anderson Pullets is a 1,753-acre farm known for their farming practices like tree planting, water retention and other conservation.

Learn more about the Iowa Venture Award.

Spencer among communities awarded Historic Preservation Grants

Last Friday the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs announced $90,000 of grants to ten communities across the state. The Spencer Historic Preservation Commission was gifted just under $12,500 for the creation of design guidelines for the Grand Avenue Commercial Historic District.

Read about the grant.

Investor Spotlight

Each week we want to feature and thank the businesses and individuals that have committed to economic development and growth in our communities. To learn more about these investors and others, visit our Business Directory!

Woodruff Construction

Sector: Engineering, Design & Construction

Location: Fort Dodge

Description: Woodruff Construction, LLC is an award-winning general contractor which offers commercial construction services to clients across Iowa. They offer design-build, construction management, and project development services.